Is his recommendation right on?
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 64
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From: Houston, TX, USA
Is his recommendation right on?
At the advice of a couple of friends, I got a second opinion regarding an oil leak. This time I asked a guy that answers automotive questions on tv in Houston.
***MESSAGE TO SCOTTY***
I recently took my car into the shop for some routine maintenance. In doing so, the shop informed me of an oil leak.
I already knew I had a leak. I always assumed it was the just the oil pan gasket. I was going to knock that out and fix it in a month or two. It was that and then some. I need to replace the oil pan gasket and the valve cover gasket and pushrod cover gasket. Is this something that I could do? I have a 95 Honda Accord. The shop quoted me about $542 for the total fix... most of that being just the labor charge.
---HIS REPLY---
I have NEVER seen an accord that had a leaking oil pan gasket, the oil leaking from the top just gets the pan gasket wet. Normally, only the valve cover gasket leaks, and then drips down (and if that mechanic said to replace the pushrod cover gasket, he's a REAL crook, as your car doesn't have push rods in it, it's an overhead cam engine.) And yes, you can easily change the valve cover gasket if it's a four cylinder engine--though it's a stinker if you have a V6 engine because of it's poorly designed back three cylinders location. Scotty
***MESSAGE TO SCOTTY***
Thanks Scotty. There is a lot of oil on the bottom of the oil pan. I took photos of both the top and the bottom. From these photos, is it possible to determine where the main problem lies? I have a six cyl, Honda Accord LX, year 1995.
http://photobucket.com/albums/...ccord/
---HIS REPLY---
Ah, there lies the rub, you have a V6 engine (next time you might switch the power for the economy and ease of repair of a 4.) I would start at the valve cover gaskets if I were you and hope it wasn't more (like a cam seal or oil pump seal which requires taking the front of the engine apart.) But changing out the valve cover gaskets (two) is a pretty rough job on that V6. I'd advise buying a chilton's book to guide you through if you care to try yourself. Scotty
***MESSAGE TO SCOTTY***
I recently took my car into the shop for some routine maintenance. In doing so, the shop informed me of an oil leak.
I already knew I had a leak. I always assumed it was the just the oil pan gasket. I was going to knock that out and fix it in a month or two. It was that and then some. I need to replace the oil pan gasket and the valve cover gasket and pushrod cover gasket. Is this something that I could do? I have a 95 Honda Accord. The shop quoted me about $542 for the total fix... most of that being just the labor charge.
---HIS REPLY---
I have NEVER seen an accord that had a leaking oil pan gasket, the oil leaking from the top just gets the pan gasket wet. Normally, only the valve cover gasket leaks, and then drips down (and if that mechanic said to replace the pushrod cover gasket, he's a REAL crook, as your car doesn't have push rods in it, it's an overhead cam engine.) And yes, you can easily change the valve cover gasket if it's a four cylinder engine--though it's a stinker if you have a V6 engine because of it's poorly designed back three cylinders location. Scotty
***MESSAGE TO SCOTTY***
Thanks Scotty. There is a lot of oil on the bottom of the oil pan. I took photos of both the top and the bottom. From these photos, is it possible to determine where the main problem lies? I have a six cyl, Honda Accord LX, year 1995.
http://photobucket.com/albums/...ccord/
---HIS REPLY---
Ah, there lies the rub, you have a V6 engine (next time you might switch the power for the economy and ease of repair of a 4.) I would start at the valve cover gaskets if I were you and hope it wasn't more (like a cam seal or oil pump seal which requires taking the front of the engine apart.) But changing out the valve cover gaskets (two) is a pretty rough job on that V6. I'd advise buying a chilton's book to guide you through if you care to try yourself. Scotty
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 17,222
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From: SoCal
Re: (v4lu3s)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by v4lu3s »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">clean the engine up with carb cleanr and check in a day or wo it should be easy to tell where the leak is then.</TD></TR></TABLE>
if you can't still find the leak, get some black bulb(yes, those disco black light) they reveal fiuld spot like x ray machine..well, almost
if you can't still find the leak, get some black bulb(yes, those disco black light) they reveal fiuld spot like x ray machine..well, almost
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
From: nc, united states
Re: Is his recommendation right on? (srburk)
since its a v6 my friend....
chances are
u have a valve cover gasket leak..i would replace both..
also u have side covers wich leaks...relpace both..
and hopefully u had ur timing belt done..if so i hope they replace ur cam and crank seals...i think those have balance seals also..
and ur oil pan gasket...
chances are
u have a valve cover gasket leak..i would replace both..
also u have side covers wich leaks...relpace both..
and hopefully u had ur timing belt done..if so i hope they replace ur cam and crank seals...i think those have balance seals also..
and ur oil pan gasket...
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