Got a question. I just put my motor back together..its got 70 miles on it now and is N/A. I used a stock honda gasket with copper spray and dowel pins on both sides and torqued the head in sequence how your supposed to. There is the slightest bit of oil that kinda sits right by the passenger side front where the block meets the head. Ever since i've built this motor (couple years ago) i've had the same problem. I've used oem headgaskets, cometic, copperspray, no copperspray. Someone told me this is a normal spot for hondas to do this. Is this ok? is it just that the block possibly isnt perfectly flat? I mean the car runs fine and everything...what do u think?

 

It is not a head gasket leak and it is not normal. It comes from either the vtec selenoid, the valve cover or the distributor gasket. The oil just winds up by the head.

 

Earl is right. If anything is going to leak where the head meets the block is coolant from high turbo boost. The oil is coming from up higher.

 

i guess i'll have to take a look at the vtec selenoid...and the distributor. Your right though, if it came from the block it would be coolant. Anyone else ever have this problem?

 

I'm 99% sure its the vtec solenoid, back side cam plug, dist oring, or vc gasket.

 

The Oil Drainback for the Head is right behind that spot too...coincidentally.

 

I'm battling the same problem. The first time I put the moro together, it was the other side of the header. The next time I had the head off and on, it moved to the other side of the header.

I hose it off with brake parts cleaner every now and then, hoping it'll magically go away...no so much.

I can't seem to win. Yeesh.

 

Ok, so i just checked all around the Distributor...vtec selenoid....exhaust cam ( i have a aftermarket plug there)....and i dont see any oil coming down the side of the head or anything. So i guess it is the Oil drainback? Is this fixable? why does it happen? what exactly is happening? does anyone have pictures of a head upside down to show me exactly where this is and whats happening?

 

Replace the valve cover gasket and use HondaBond in the corners. It will go away.
Oil return is not under pressure so it would take a big gap to find it's way out of the head gasket.

 

Actually, i just checked my vtec selenoid again, and at the very bottom underneath the actual unit, i put my finger under there and sure enough there was some oil on my finger. Where do i get a new gasket for a 1st gen b16 v-tec unit?

 

wow i have the same problem!

I just thought if i didnt pay attention to it , then it would go away haha

good to know

 

Its the same part # as a 99-2000 Civic Si
or likewise DOHC vtec engine