TomCat39

As the title says, what are the possible damages from a bad o-ring on the oil pump on an older Honda Civic?

I don't know as of yet if it's the oil pump o-ring or a front main seal that is seeping oil at that spot. I'm just curious to know what damage can be done if that kind of leak is driven on for awhile, if any damage can occur at all.

Oil light hasn't come on (does for the initial start but within a second goes out) but I also know that light only indicates a less than 2 lbs per square inch of pressure or so.

Is there damage from driving with a leaky oil pump o-ring for an extended time (probably going on 2 years now)?

slowcivic2k

Toyota 2200's are prone to leakage from the front cover, usually leads to complete engine failure. O-ring seals are very temperature dependent, Most camry's that I see come in the the mentioned problem are during the colder months, its ironic that you are posting this now. I would consider the timing myself.

I've seen many crank and cam seals leak on many Honda's, and most of them a rooted in poor service or installation of a replacement seal. I've only had 1 D15B2 come in with a true squirter, this leak was caused by a loose oil pump housing bolt. This Reminds me of the Quad 4 from GM. It would spit a quart in less than 15 seconds. Fixed almost 50 of those in my day.

As long as oil actually reaches the gallery there should be no problem other than the change in oil level. If you plan on owning it for a while, I would consider replacing it with you next timing belt or sooner.

TomCat39

It's been leaking for awhile, I noticed it in the summer.

However, by your description, it's only dribbling so it may just be the front crank seal.

It doesn't even drip to the ground.

Until I get a 3/4 inch drive extension and 3/4 inch drive 17mm socket so I can get my crank pulley off to inspect where the oil is coming from...... I'm just shooting in the dark.

From other posters comments on other threads I got the feeling if that o-ring was leaking it would look similiar to the front main seal leak.

Then with how clean the bottom end was and the top end was when I had the engine installed, coupled with my valve seals needing replaced got me to thinking that maybe the engine may have been cleaned without oil pan and valve cover. And if that was the case, the cleaners would have been really harsh in all internal rubbers.

And then there is the cold morning knocking I'm starting to have this winter. Goes away once warm but wasn't there for the first winter I had the motor. Granted I do beat on this motor when I get the opportunity. It gets an Italian tune up at least monthly.

Putting all these things together got me to thinking it might be a possible issue and got me to a wondering what damages may have been transpiring being I just assumed it was the front main leaking a little bit and driven with it for over a year now.

DCFIVER

Is any oil getting on the Tbelt? Oil pump seals are a common failure on Civics. If you can do a Tbelt job,you can replace the seal,it is very simple.....

TomCat39

Thanks for the feedback. I'm waiting for my valve seals to come in. I'll be checking the belt to see if it's getting any oil on it when I pull the valve cover to do up the valve seals.

I'll report back the findings then.