accord96lx

I had changed the oil at 108k and recently found that the oil was nearly out at 114k. First off, I shouldve checked and changed the oil before now I guess every 3-4k, but I had noticed that the distributor looks like its got a leak at the base. Nothing has shown up on the driveway to indicate a big leak, but I think its probably time to replace the distributor since the last tune up was done at the dealer at 102k.

Questions:

How often should a tune up be done? 10-15k?

How difficult is a tune up on the 2000 Accord DX? Is it just replacing the distributor, plug wires, and plugs?

Where should I check for potential oil leaks?

djkurious

Spark plugs (NGK or Denso) should be changed every 30,000 miles. Personally, I would change the wires (NGK), distributor cap (HONDA),rotor button(HONDA), and plugs (NGK) all at once especially. Next 30,000 I would inspect everything but the plugs and just change the plugs.

The leak you are experiencing is very slow and probably dries up before reaching the ground.

Potential places for oil leak: Camshaft seal, balance seal, crank seal all on the timing belt side. Oil pressure sensor, oil pan, and oil filter on back of engine. Valve cover gasket on top of engine. Distributor can be leaking from two places. First and easiest remove the distributor cap. If no oil is found inside, the internal seal is not leaking. If leaking outside, it's the external seal, which requires removal of the distributor (3 bolts). Hope that helps

accord96lx

Took some pics of what its looking like. I see oil mainly on the distributor and the oil pan. I assume this is what a leaky oil pan gasket looks like?

HankYee

looks like dizzy seal. easy to change

accord96lx

Would that be the seal from cap to dizzy?
Or dizzy to motor?

HankYee

Looks like the oring around the dizzy. The seal inside the dizzy, if bad would show oil
inside the dizzy. The picture you show of the inside of the dizzy looks dry.

H

accord96lx

So get and install this part?

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...5095&ppt=C0334

Any tips on removing the dizzy and replacing this part?

6_Speed

I believe Hank is referring to #5 in this diagram.

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...8401_e0510.png

motegicivic

Basically you remove the distributor, mark it first to keep original timing.

On the shaft of the distributor there is an o ring, you take it off and replace it, like a $2 part from honda, I would get it from honda to make sure you have the right part and it seals right.

djkurious

Do what motegicivic said.

accord96lx

Since I have never removed/replaced a distributor is marking it just noting once I pull it where the rotor on the distributor is pointed?

I saw this clip on youtube and from what I can see he notes the timing marks that can be dialed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVv_57uSrUQ

motegicivic

Ok, the accords are different than the civics, the civic you can scribe the top of the dizzy to the top of the bolt housing the accord you can not.

Do the similar steps above to remove it, but pull it out slowly and make sure it does not spin when taking it out, there are ears that fit one way. When you replace the o ring be careful not to spin it or remember how the ears are positioned and put it back should slide right in.

accord96lx

Finally getting around to replacing the distributor oring, plug wires, cap and rotor. I removed the distributor and saw that there is some oil on the inside of the distributor. I had a few questions at this point

1. Is the gasket/seal that fits around the perimeter of the distributor that makes contact with the cap the culprit here?
2. Or is it the oring?
3. How do I replace the oring? Do I have to disassemble further to get proper access to the oring, if so how?
4. Should I be concerned about the oil that has splashed inside of the base of the distributor? Just wipe it down?

Some pics

Here is a close up of where the leak seems to be from the gasket.


its splashed a bit of oil inside


How do I get access to the oring from here?

halninek

the o-ring there looks like it might be kinda worn out, but that would cause external leakage. the internal seal is not easily replaceable, easier to just find a junkyard distributor housing and use all your known-good parts in it. with internal distributor leakage your cam position sensor will eventually die.

kidcool1977

Looks like an internal leak, for the 94-97 accords that internal seal can be replaced, there is a thread on it in the archives. I am not sure if your generation dizzy internal seal can be replaced (most likely it can), the question is do you have the capabilities to replace that internal seal?. It's not complex BUT the distributor internals are very FRAGILE if you do this the first time MAKE SURE you do it right because if you have to take it apart again you most like will kill the unit.

I speak from experience

holmesnmanny

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/2214402

http://www.partstrain.com/store/deta...3-1640599.html

btw this seal normally won't fit aftermarket distributor housings as I've found out myself, however some aftermarket distributor internal seals have a bad spring on the internal seal that you can take your OEM spring and put it on.

1991EX

I have a 99 accord ex, same exact issue. I bought a new distributor housing. Since you have over 100,000 miles you will be getting more than just a new seal. Normally seals go out due to age/heat/bearing slop.

Majestic Honda has good prices online, you need item # 4 (housing)

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...+%28HITACHI%29

accord96lx

At this point after looking at the post on how to replace the seal, I am pretty sure I will mess something up. I dont like spending more than I should but, considering the miles on this dizzy and since this is my wifes car and I figure spend the $170 on the housing.

Once I get the part, how precise does the rotor/shaft position have to be?
I took this pic just as I removed the dizzy without moving the shaft.
Will lining it up approximately as pictured work fine?

1991EX

The distributor can only go in one way. Do you remember which direction the rotor cap was pointing?

Transfer the internals to the new housing (carefully) then install it. Put some oil on the seal before stabbing it, making sure the rotor cap is pointed in the correct direction. Once it is installed you should check your timing, but I am pretty sure that once it is started the ECU will adjust everything.

If you look at the picture, the distributor cannot be installed 180 degrees out as the prongs are offset from center.

accord96lx

I got the housing, carefully transferred the components over, got the new rotor cap pointed as it was when removed, applied some oil to the oring, and installed and bolted. I took the new distributor cap and installed NGK plug wires and NGK plugs and it runs great.

I havent checked timing yet, but it isn't noticeably off.
I'll learn how to do that tomorrow. Ive got a timing gun and a Haynes book to hopefully get it done right.

Running great,
Thanks for all the help here!

One thing that was embarrassing is that this Accord isnt a DX, its an SE. Good thing I figured this out sonner than later so I got the right parts.