ok so i got home a little earlier than expected, so i fired her up. firstly, the new engine mounts rock. i cannot begin to tell you all how much of a difference the car feels when you have new engine mounts. no side to side vibrating, not as noisy, etc. solid is the best way to describe it. i also did the trans mount bushing too.

so bad news: it is indeed that plastic piece and/or the rubber ring that is leaking. it was quite a heavy drip when i looked inside the engine bay. perhaps this is truly the primary reason for the obnoxious noxious diesel smell in my car. the smaller hose was cracked in places as mentioned above as were the injector return lines, so i know that contributed too. but this probably is the real reason.

time to order more parts >:|