CaliforniaDad

iTrader: (6)

A few days ago I went to check my oil before going to work, and I noticed some oil just below the Vtec solenoid. So I bought a new valve cover gasket and vtec solenoid gasket cleaned it all up and called it a day. Now today, I went to check my oil and noticed this. Were in the heck could this be coming from? It cant be coming from between the head and block can it?

fv8s

yes it is coming from between the block and head. I have the exact same leak. Nothing major, but annoying.

aemintgsr

iTrader: (1)

oil cam plug next to the vtec solenoid or sometimes is the dizzy o-ring, very common oil leak and ppl panic thinking is the head gasket, but its not

CaliforniaDad

iTrader: (6)

Man that is just insaine.....I forgot to mention I replaced both cam seal and the distributor area was bone dry, no oil leaking from that area. How is it possible that oil can leak out between the block and the head???

Built2Race

who changed the head gasket? has it been changed before? mileage on motor?

CaliforniaDad

iTrader: (6)

The head gasket has never been touched. 240,000 miles Just did a comp test
as well. Cyl #1=180 #2=180 #3=175 #4=178

mouab18c1

iTrader: (5)

Try running thicker oil?

el crapitan

valve cover gasket? look to the highest point of ANY oil or wetness. because of the seam between the head and block, it will run along it and pool there. check the oil pressure sensor as well. it's not leaking THROUGH the head gasket. it's just pooling there.
if you really want find out exactly where it's coming from, hose the engine off using a degreaser and water (protecting vital engine electronics, of course). and run the engine. look all around the head and valve cover, front, side and back

mouab18c1

iTrader: (5)

OP stated new VC gasket in his first post.


Anyways did you use some honda bond or any kind of gasket sealer?

Jw, I dont even use any on my VC gasket and no leaks.

el crapitan

that doesn't necessarily mean it isn't coming from there. and yes, i do like to use a small dab of silicon ONLY in the corners of the cam arches. if you don't, and it doesn't leak, that's great. but sometimes it will, so it doesn't hurt to use a small dab as a precautionary measure.
i mean, there aren't many possibilities here: cam seal, distr. o ring, valve cover gasket. that's about it

CaliforniaDad

iTrader: (6)

Yep, I cleaned all the surfaces with fingernail polish, So I know everything was clean,then used Honda bond on everything. Any other ideas?

el crapitan

don't use it on the whole gasket. only a dab in the corners of the cam arches.
it has to be leaking down from somewhere. just clean the engine off and run it

Mattb16teg

Typical of a bad cam seal(otherwise known as a cam bore plug)
Can you see signs of oil coming down from it on the head?

Built2Race

From your descriptions, i say either cam seal or distributor o ring, if worst comes to worse its the headgasket thats leaking

94 ls-r

My motor was doin same thing and it was the dizzy. Head gasket can do that but double check the valve cover v tec solenoid and dizzy.

CaliforniaDad

iTrader: (6)

Okay will do. also dumb question. What is this oil plug here for?

deadlydanny

wow that good never change head gasket at 240k nice

94 ls-r

The plug has to do with the head manufacturing process. Not really sure. It doesnt have much pressure against it until in v tec. From the pic it looks like the valve cover is leaking

CaliforniaDad

iTrader: (6)

Oh okay, I thought what a nice place to tap oil from to a turbo.
lol

94 ls-r

It will only have pressure in v tec. Get the golden eagle sanwich,. I cant remember what type of threaded piece ya need tho.

CaliforniaDad

iTrader: (6)

Something like this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/OIL-FILTER-SANDW...ht_4335wt_1255

el crapitan

that plug's probably used to blow sand out of the passages during casting. like a frost plug in a block

Mattb16teg

^ probably right
WTF did talking about a sandwich plate come from?!

EHondaJDM

Anybody mention the vtec solenoid itself? try taking it off and putting some gasket maker

If not it is the corner where the headgasket is, this happens a lot with engines using thinner oil.

Not too big of a deal unless its pissing out or your jus picky when it comes to oil leaks like me.

PatrickGSR94

iTrader: (1)

Had oil pooling in the same place on mine last year. 295K on original head gasket.

Anyway, there are actually TWO gaskets in the VTEC solenoid, so be sure to replace both of them. And also do the cam end plug, and the distributor o-ring as others have mentioned. I did all this at once along with the valve cover gasket (Permatex Ultra Grey on the corners of the cam arches) and no more leaking.