Dried Yellowish Liquid on Front Differential (SOLVED: popped engine mount)

[gmartin1215]

2009 Tahoe 4WD 5.3L

When my Tahoe was parked on the driveway outside, I noticed a yellow puddle that had dried underneath it. Looking under the front, I saw a lot of this yellowish liquid that had dried. It was all over the top of my front differential and had dripped down to the protection plate. I also saw some residue on the bottom of the driver's side engine mount, but that looks more like the liquid may have splashed up. I looked from the top of the engine down, but did not see any residue of this yellowish dried liquid above the engine mount. I thought maybe there was a seal broken on the front differential, but this was definitely a liquid and not oily at all. The transfer case has been in 2wd.

Any clues what this may be and where to trace it? Any other diagnosis tips ?

 

[mikez71]

I am guessing your motor mount popped.

Common issue. Check out this thread..

Broken Motor Mounts

So I just returned from my mechanic after a routine oil change and he shows me I have a cracked drivers side motor mount!!!! WTF... I mean seriously GM? You would think they would install a strong enough motor mount for what people use these SUV's for. My mechanic ony works with GMC and Chevy's...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

 

[swathdiver]

Coolant? Did you drive over a freshly painted yellow line?

 

[gmartin1215]

Coolant? Did you drive over a freshly painted yellow line?

I thought it might be coolant, but I didn't see any telltale residue at any of the coolant connections. Looks like whatever leaked mainly came from the driver's side.
Thought yellow paint, too. But I don't see any yellow splatter anywhere else.

 

[gmartin1215]

I am guessing your motor mount popped.

Common issue. Check out this thread..

Broken Motor Mounts

So I just returned from my mechanic after a routine oil change and he shows me I have a cracked drivers side motor mount!!!! WTF... I mean seriously GM? You would think they would install a strong enough motor mount for what people use these SUV's for. My mechanic ony works with GMC and Chevy's...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

Would a motor mount have that yellowish crap in it?

 

[OBSandaNNBS]

Would a motor mount have that yellowish crap in it?

Great question! Yes, they inexplicably do. They have a hydraulic fluid because it's "smoother" running/sorts out vibrations.
Also it has a thinner wall and is susceptible to breaking.
Looks like rusty water to me.

 

[gmartin1215]

I did get a video of the engine with it the truck in drive and holding the brake while reving. The rotation looks normal to me, but then again this is not something I always watch. Does this look normal to you or is it showing that driver's side mount is shot?Engine

 

[SpareParts]

Looks like a broken mount to me. If you look at the mount you should be able to see the rubber is split.

 

[PG01]

That’s definitely from inside the motor mount and that motor is about to jump out of the engine compartment and go to lunch somewhere brother…. Lol

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Get yourself H3 Hummer motor mounts, and you'll never have that issue again.

 

[Doubeleive]

Yep, popped motor mount

 

[gmartin1215]

Get yourself H3 Hummer motor mounts, and you'll never have that issue again.

What is the difference between the H3 and OEM mounts? I assume they mount exactly the same.

 

[PG01]

What is the difference between the H3 and OEM mounts? I assume they mount exactly the same.

H2 mount is a solid design as opposed to a liquid filled original design mount

 

[gmartin1215]

H2 mount is a solid design as opposed to a liquid filled original design mount

H2 and H3 both the same? Joseph Garcia mentioned H3

Again, assuming these wil mount the same as my current one.

 

[gmartin1215]

I watched the mount with some help and managed to get a video of it. I can definitely see a small split happen when the engine is revved. You can see this in the top part of the video. If this is normal or the vid tells a different story, then please let me know where else I should look. Mount

At this point, and based on what is being said, it looks like I will have to replace this mount. For those of you who had to replace theirs, how much of a PITA is this going to be to replace it? Looks like my best bet is going through the top after removing the drive shaft for the steering and exhaust manifold shield. I watched a few YouTube videos of the process, but is there a good one to follow that anyone knows?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

What is the difference between the H3 and OEM mounts? I assume they mount exactly the same.

It is the H3 motor mount. I don't know any details on the H2 motor mount.

The H3 motor mount will work with any LS motor, but not the newer LT motors.

The H3 motor mount does not have the fluid contained in it, so there will never be a rupture. I did not feel any additional vibrations at idle associated with the H3 motor mount.

 

[PG01]

Fat finger typo..h3 sorry

 

[OBSandaNNBS]

Make sure you get the H3 mount for the 5.3! They aren't cheap.

 

[gmartin1215]

For those of you who had to replace theirs, how much of a PITA is this going to be to replace it? Looks like my best bet is going through the top after removing the drive shaft for the steering and exhaust manifold shield. I watched a few YouTube videos of the process, but is there a good one to follow, or best steps to follow that anyone knows that does not involve dropping the diff??

 

[mikez71]

Not too bad, but I was tired after doing it!

I did not drop front driveshaft or diff.

I did remove the wheels, fender liners, heatshield, and steering shaft.