Hondatastic

I have a 1996 Honda Accord, 4C, 4 door, EX model with about 179,000 miles on it.

I recently replaced the oil pan gasket, drain plug and gasket and oil filter. I though the pan gasket was the problem, it was part of it at least but I think it is still leaking oil. I noticed oil dripping on top of the filter.

Any ideas of what might be causing the leak or where it is coming from?

In last last year or so I had some problems with over heating but it never got way too hot and it never ran for long periods of time hot.

It ran low enough on oil for the oil/engine light to come on but again was filled back up right away and didn't run long after light came on.

gqstatus05

Temp Sensor for overheating issue.

Hondatastic

The heat problem has been fixed. It was a bad hose with a small leake on the underneath side that was hard to detect but since the hose has been replaced it doesn't over heat. I just hope it didn't cause a problem with the oil leakage.

majalcar65

Check your oil sender unit located about a couple of inches on top of the oil filter. I went through the same problem w/ my 92 Accord w/ 2.2L. I did the same work you've done but the leak persist until I found the leak coming from the oil sender unit. It's been almost 2 yrs since and my engine still leak free. Good Luck!

Hondatastic

I have a little more info today. I looked around again and I noticed oil pooling up beneath the distributor cap. It looks like it could either be the valve/head cover gasket or the distributor o-ring.

So, I have a few questions about this, is there a good way to tell for sure or what do you guys think from experience? On one side I think it may be coming from the distributor seal but it could be the valve cover gasket.

Should I just replace both the gasket and o-ring? As far as I know neither have ever been replaced. If I do replace both of these is there anything else I should replace that is in the general area and doesn't cost a lot? Figured it wouldn't hurt since they will go out eventually might as well go ahead and get it over with.

What do I need to do to remove the distributor cap? I know you have to mark it from what I am told but can someone let me know how exactly you need to do it so your timing isn't all screwed up. If anyone has a pic that would help tremendously too.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

FastGsr95

Theres nothing to it pop out the three bolts replace ur o ring and make sure you line up the distributor with your camshaft you will see it has a flat head screwdriver look to it just make sure they are lined up and pop it in. And make sure you do mark it and thats it.

Elvis1977

My 98 accord was leaking under distributer at 170k also. What I did was I just went ahead and replaced the entire distributor which had new seals, etc. since i am planning on keeping the car forever.
If your car is a v-tech, then you can also replace the filter and seal gaskets on the v-tech assembly where leaks are common.
Most of the time leaks occur around the valve cover gasket so check this location also.

Hondatastic

It's not a V-tec, so that helps a little.

That brings up another question, once I take the distributor off is there a easy way to determine if it is bad and the inside seals are bad? I seem to remember reading something that says there shouldn't be oil on the inside of the distributor but I'm not sure since I've never worked with one before.

Elvis1977

Once you take off the distributor cap and see oil inside you should do something about it. To replace the seals you have to take the whole distibutor out of the engine. So what I did was since I already had it out and am going to keep the car forever, I simply replaced the whole part with a new one. That way I know I have a brand new distrubutor that could easily last another 170k miles.

alkoholikwun

if your experiencing oil leaking from above the oil filter, heres is the culprit.

Hondatastic

I'm going to look at that too.

Is this the same thing? Like the pic in post three?
https://honda-tech.com/forums/forced-induction-16/help-installing-electric-oil-pressure-sender-2372717/

If anyone has any info on replacing the oil sender unit please let me know.

Edit: I looked up a distributor online and they seem to run about $200 (crap) is that right or should it be cheaper? If it is $200 then I ope I don't have to replace it right now.

Hondatastic

Well, I replaced the valve cover and the distributor o-Ring. I found out that the distributor o-ring was actually missing..... I think a autoshop I used a little while back did it but it's too late to worry about that now.

Anyways, I had a problem getting the timing to work correctly and in the process broke the top bracket that the distributor screws into. Not sure what I did wrong, I marked it, crappily I admit and it acted like it was going to turn over but just wouldn't, I may need to get a timing gun.

So what I really need to know at this point is what is involved in fixing this broken piece now? On one side it looks like it is part of the whole block that the distributor slides into but it seems like there would be a easier way to fix this, I have no idea.

Pic 1: I have two questions about this one, first is the o-ring in the correct place, BTW the bolts are loose so the o-ring may look a little think, with it tightened down it is much thiner and the bolt tighten in all th eway? I placed it at the bottom of the distributor shaft and it kind of compresses in as you tighten it up, since there was no 0-ring I called the dealer where I bought it and they said tha bottom of the shaft is the correct place.




Pic 2: Here you can see where it broke. There are two bolts up top but it doesn't seem like they do anything to remove the art where it broke.




Pic 3: Here is another pic where it broke.

Hondatastic

Can you all see the pictures ok? If not please let me know and I will try something else.

ShadowWorkssimc

That looks like a clamp from the camsif its cracked and spread open it could throw out the time a faction I guess, got toa scrap yard and take one off a donor car and try again.

Make sure you have the right firing order on your plugs as well from your distributor, not trying to be condescending but it can happen to the best of us.

bsivoljr

How the hell did you do that? Sledge hammer?

GhostAccord

Unfortunately that is part of the rocker assembly. You will want a Helms, Haynes or Chilton Shop manual if you are going to get into replacing that particular part yourself.

Or you could take it to a shop and have them replace it. Have them replace your lower spark plug tube seals while they have the rocker assembly out as well.

I'm going to guess that this broke when you tried to rotate the distributor with a hammer/pry bar further than it's 1/8" adjustment would allow.

Hondatastic

Before I took anything apart I labeled all the plugs so I think they are back in the right place.

I only tried to adjust it by hand. I think what happened is someone that was helping me adjusted it and then had me try to start it while the distributor was not bolted down, when I cranked it up the dist. shook hard, it seemed fine but after several attemps at adjusting it tightening it down and loosening it back up I noticed it broke off. Other than that I honestly don't know how it could have broke.

If it is going to onvolve taking the rocker assembly out I will probably go to a shot.

I have a friend that may be able to weld it. Does anyone think there will be any chance I could use a metal glue, soldering or something like that to fix it?

GhostAccord

Is it cracked all the way through to the camshaft? Or is it just the distributor tab that is cracked? You may be able to get away with using Devcon F2 or another 2 part aluminum epoxy product if it's just the distributor tab that is cracked. If you have it welded you take the risk of distorting the camshaft journal. Your best bet would be to replace the part.