fireant

D16A6

My front main seal is apparently leaking, and its about time for a new timing belt, so I'm going to try and replace the parts myself with hand tools and a helms manual.

I have a new water pump, timing belt and front main seal.

Do I need to undo three engine mounts and tilt the engine downwards to do it, or can I do it with the engine in its natural position?

Is black RTV good for sealing off the oil pump, or should I use something else. What about the oil pump bolts, do I need to put sealant in the holes?

I've planned a whole day to remove and a whole day to reassemble.

Any other advice on doing this?

gp70hs

You don't need to undo any of the engine mount bolt's. The hardest part of this job is probably getting the bolt off of the main pully, so you can pull it off and get to the oil pump. You can do it all using hand tools, you can use black rtv on the oil pump and bolts, if you wish. You can pull the crankshaft seal without pulling off the pump. You just have to use a small punch, drive it in the front of the seal and pop it out. You can pull the pump if you want, though. Just use a thin film of rtv on the seal ring when you reinstall it.

If your taking the front down that far, I'd recommend that you just get a new oil pump. I found that after going long enough for the seal to start leaking, that a new pump is much tighter and will keep your oil pressure up better, at low pressures.

To get the crankshaft bolt loose, I have to do the following.

I remove the drivers side wheel.
I remove the dust cover from the flywheel.
I put a bolt into the flywheel, from the engine side, and tighten it in as far as it will go.
I then remove the crankshaft bolt, using a socket, a long extension, a breaker bar and a 2' extension on the breaker bar.

When you put it back together, you need to tighten the crankshaft bolt the same way. It's the only way it will hold properly.

Sikocivic

Do NOT use RTV for a sealer. Go to your Honda dealer and get a tube of HondaBond. Its a little spendy but it works great. You only want to do this job once

fireant

Word! and thanks for the info guys. I think my crank pulley should come off, based on all the other bolts I've removed (axles suspension) and never had problems with. If all else fails, I have a torch to heat it with.

I'm really relieved to hear I dont need to bother with the engine mounts or removing the oil pump. I have also heard you can put a small screw into the seal to pull it out with.

Thanks again.

ChickenH

sometimes the crank bolts a bitch .If you know someone with a good air gun loosen it first and tighten it with a 3/8 ratchet and then go home and do it. you can usually do it by turning the cars tire while its sitting on the ground. so it only takes a second. i think its a 19mm or a 17 i cant remember ive worked on too many b series in between and it all blurs

line everything up before you take off the belt. then dont move anything and make sure it lines up still when your done turn it over by hand without putting the cover back on a few times and recheck the timing marks

mahatma

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sikocivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do NOT use RTV for a sealer. Go to your Honda dealer and get a tube of HondaBond. Its a little spendy but it works great. You only want to do this job once </TD></TR></TABLE>
i can vouch for this.....haynes manual said to use rtv. my freshly rebuilt engine leaks oil pretty good now

EF-it

Honda bond, is almost the same as Ultra grey. think its made by permatex. same ****, avail. at any parts store..
I worked at Honda dealer for multiple years, all I've ever used, NO problems...
just my $0.02

fireant

Thanks for the advice everyone. I've got everything taken off now except the crank pulley. Going to start working on it bright and early tomorrow morning. The car has been garage kept since day one, and nothing on it has been seized or difficult so far.. .crosses fingers.