jefcon1

*Car is a 97 Accord LX w/stock F22B2* 213k miles

I have a pretty steady oil leak near the timing belt cover that is splattering up on the hood and running down the side of the block. From my research on this sight and others it sounds like it could be the camshaft seal, balancer seal, or crank seal. I'm sure there are other possibilities too. I'm looking for tips on determining where the leak is, and what it is before I have to start taking it apart. I'd like to have all the necessary seals and gaskets before I start on it.

This is the highest point on the engine that has any signs of fresh oil.

And here's the hood stripe:

double b from wv

hard to see anything from that angle. can you get under the car and snap a pic from the underside?

PTV6

Looks like it could just be coming from the valve cover gasket.

jefcon1

This was the best I could get from underneath last night (twss). There's oil everywhere and I can't tell much of anything until I clean it up, other than I need new swaybar bushings. The oil pan is drenched in oil and its running down the sway bar. I might have some time this eventing to clean it up and get a better look. Might even put in some dye.

HondaPartsHero

You should at least pull the valve cover and replace that gasket set. While you are at it check the timing belt for oil contamination. At that point you can see if the camshaft seal is leaking if you remove the upper cover. If your timing belt has contamination you might as well replace it, water pump, balance shaft and front main seal while you are at it.

OnKILL

replace your camshaft seal

jefcon1

I need to do the valve cover anyway to replace the upper and lower spark plug seals.

I'm linking these pics here for my own reference just in case I need to replace the cam seal:
https://honda-tech.com/forums/showth...light=cam+seal

jefcon1

I replaced the clogged PCV last night. I'm sure that wasn't helping matters.

holmesnmanny

Looks like your tie-rod boot is torn but maybe it's just the angle. Oil pan nuts and bolts love coming loose. I would tighten those up just a lil. Sway bar link bushings look like they need tightening up a bit. Looks like you got a bolt missing from your brake line bracket.

One other thing, when I had a leak in the same spot on the lower timing cover it turned out to be a crank seal leaking.

jefcon1

Yep, tie rod boot is torn and added to my growing to-fix list. I didn't notice that until looked at the picture.

All the pan bolts are tight. The leak seems to be coming from higher up. I'm not saying that the oil pan isn't leaking. Just that its not the source of the oil on the hood.

That sway bar bushing has been like that since I got the car in '07. I bought some new bushings to change them out since they're dry rotted anyway, but I had more pressing issues and never got around to it.

I must have forgot to bolt the brake line back after I changed the struts in December. Or I forgot to tighten it. I saw that bracket glowing in the pic and I just knew someone was going to say something about it. oops.

Since it looks like I'll be pulling the timing cover off anyway, I'm getting prepared for the possible need to replace any or all the seals. If 213,000 miles and 13 years have done one of them in, I guess they all could need replaced while I'm there. But, I'm really hoping its not the crank seal.

Danny.T

Good information,

Thanks

Danny

TouringAccord

I agree, pull the valve cover and upper timing belt cover and have a look. from there you can see if it is the valve cover gasket or the cam seal.

jefcon1

I hope Fel-Pro valve cover gasket sets are ok. I went to Honda to get a price on their gaskets. $72 - not happening. I picked up the Fel-Pro with upper and lower spark plug seals for around $20.

Bad_dude

How could you distinguish which is leaking? Cam Seal or valve cover gasket. I have a similar leak, but less than this one. I reseat the valve cover and it seems to be dry.

Thanks,

OnKILL

if you look at the first set of pictures if you notice the splatter on the hood , mine did the same thing when my cam seals wernt done properly,if you have oil in the spark plug holes its from the spark plug seals, oil any where else in the upper portion of the engine is usally from the valve cover gasket.the best gaskets that i have found to work are the oem , or the set from napa , the felpro i have had to replace a few times . if you do use the felpro gaskets make sure you use honda bond along with it .

poorman212

"OnKill"-FYI, last I heard, NAPA was selling Fel-Pro gaskets? They changed from Victor gaskets to Fel-Pro about 3 years ago.

OnKILL

well in san antonio tx they sell the kp high performance gasket set, but i am sure they also sell the fellpro, so thats why i said the napa set because i was not completly sure that what the brand was, untill i went digging threw my toolbox.

poorman212

Cool, around here they only offer the Fel-Pro. At least the one store down the road from me.

jefcon1

crap. I have the valve cover off and all the rocker bolts loosened and and the rocker assembly will not budge. Its like its welded to the head. Any ideas anyone?

jefcon1

disregard that last transmission.

Bad_dude

What went wrong? How did you solve it?

Thanks.

jefcon1

I missed the two small bolts behind the distributor. It was solved when my wife looked over my shoulder and said "do those little bolts do anything?" After smacking my forehead I removed the bolts, ate the crow and went on with my day.

holmesnmanny

lol i was gonna post for you to look at those two bolts, I missed them when I did mine, as well.

race2live

You May Also check your Power Steering Pump Because Even If The Cam Seal Is Leaking The slinging Of Oil On Your Hood Is Most Likely Coming From The Drive Belts On the Outside Of The engine . Check These Belts for Oil.

Bad_dude

If you are doing the cam seal, could you list the steps and the pics please. Much appreciated. I know I would need it some day. As for the power steering pump, I already got the seal ready in case it leaks.