In attempting to replace my 2001 Civic’s oil pan gasket, I’ve run into something odd. I’ve got the oil pan removed, and on the one end where it dips down to go around the crank, there seem to be some sort of very squishy rubber seal type thing. I suspect that that’s where it has actually been leaking from. It seems like a very flexible rubber seal of some sort, but it isn’t the crank seal. I’ve got a spare crank seal, and it’s a much more solid, non-flexible perfectly round thing. This other... thing... is really soft. I can flex it with a single finger, and poke it back, but if I try to put it back into position, it doesn’t want to fit right. It seems like it may be stretched. Either way, it seems like it should probably be replaced. I have no idea what it is, though. Nothing online seems to correspond with what it is.
It’s not part of the gasket. That I was able to remove without issue. This other ... thing... is tucked behind the crank pulley. I’m almost wondering if it is part of the timing cover gasket.
Any one have any ideas?