Rocinante

I just replaced all gaskets, including the o-rings under the rocker assembly, but I am still getting an oil leak near the intake side of the number one spark plug (see below). Any ideas?



Oil leak is seen in the center of the picture. (Front to back view).

holmesnmanny

Cant really see it too well but it could be your valve cover gaaket thats leaking.

scubacamper

Another common place for leaks in that area is the camshaft seal; how long has it been since that was replaced?

Xene

Hey did you ever figure out how to fix this oil leak. I am having the same exact leak location. When I replaced my head gasket I noticed this and thought it was a bad gasket or improper seating. I do not think it is. I think it is from the valve cover gasket not sealing properly. The oil leaks through the valve cover gasket at that corner and the circular section on the cam shaft. I am also baffled at how to solve this as I have tried installing the valve cover multiple times with no success.

scubacamper

When installing the valve cover gasket, you have to put a dab of rtv on each 90-degree corner of the gasket - the part that mates with the round piece which sits atop the camshaft.
A separate issue is the camshaft seal itself - it's round and slides onto the cam behind the cam pulley (have to remove timing belt and cam pulley to access).
Hope this helps

Xene

I was using HondaBond (~2 year old tube). Would using new RTV silicone tube make a difference?

When I took the head off a 2nd time I checked the camshaft pulley seal, but there was no oil around it so it wasn't leaking there. I did this to make sure it wasn't that.

scubacamper

Others on this forum may be more savy with hondabond but I am not. If hondabond is just rtv, I don't see how age would make much difference, but I could be wrong.
One thing about that stuff: you may already know it but you have to wait for it to set up just a bit before installing, and then you have to wait longer to let it set up more before running the motor.
Are you using a quality gasket set? Honda would definitely be optimal but I've used fel-pro without issue.
Are you tightening the vc fasteners to spec torque? (Too much or too little can cause issues).

Xene

I waited for ~ 1-2 minutes prior to putting on. I would place a dab and spread it over the corners. Then I would wait ~60 minutes prior to starting the motor to test for leak.
I am using a Honda OEM gasket and Felpro (tried both).
I am tightening the bolts down all the way and to spec ~ 8 N/m, doesn't require any turning basically once bottoming the valve cover bolts.

scubacamper

I don't spread out the rtv; I just leave it as a glob on the corner and let it find its own place...
Not sure if that makes a difference but...
And you're certain the leak is coming from that spot?
Did you clean up the mating surfaces before reinstalling, making sure not to gouge the surface?