OK. I am pretty frustrated right now, so I decided to come to you guys for some help before I get in over my head. I have been chasing this oil leak...well...since the time I bought the car. It wasn't bad at first, but now it's pretty bad. I thought it was coming from the oilpan because there was oil dripping down from he oil pan nuts so I drained all the oil and started to take the oil pan off. Well, then I found out that none of the oil pan nuts were tightened...so I figured that must be what was causing the problem, went out and got some more oil, got some thread-lock, put the nuts back on tight with the threadlock and changed the oil. Started it back up, and nope...same problem. It seems to be coming from one localized spot though, right on top of the oil pan behind the main pulley. I took the top plastic cam gear cover off and saw a little bit of a puddle down on the left side. I tried taking some pictures, but I was in a dark garage with only a camera phone, so bear with me. Please help me figure out what's leaking...I'm getting tired of this

Oil dripping down from here...coming from on top of the oil pan, almost directly behind the pulley. Oil only starts to drip after oil pressure builds and engine warms up a little


Well, if you COULD see down there you would see a small puddle of oil...nothing much, but I'm guessing it's related.

 

Sounds like the crank seal.

 

That's bad isn't it. What's the estimated time to get that fixed? If it's really complicated, I'm not going to do it myself...I just need to get sort of an estimate ready in my head as to how much this is going to set me back

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AntiStock &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That's bad isn't it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's a bit of work, but if you are mechanically inclined, or know a well experienced friend, then it really isn't that bad-- just a bit of work as I stated. Invest in a Helms manual and look it over. If you do not feel comfortable doing the steps within it, then take it to a professional; and don't worry-- the Helms will come in use time and time again. Helms manual is your friend.

EDIT: It may also be a good idea to clean all that oil off, and use an oil tracer to determine the source of the leak for confirmation.

 

i had oil ending up in the same spot and it ended up being the exhaust cam seal. i replaced the crank seal and oil pan gasket first instead of checking that

 

yeah i agree it does look like its from the crank seal, i think this is a more common leak with honda motors

 

Thanks guys. I'll give the shop a call tomorrow to get an estimate. In the meantime...how long does the book say this job takes?

 

If I were to order this part directly, does anyone know what the part number is? Is it the front or the rear crank seal?

http://www2.autopartsauthority...false

Also, what is this and is it related (need to be replaced too)?

http://www2.autopartsauthority...=true

Sorry, I'm just not good with this part

 

I remember spending in the neighborhood of $400 to get my crank seal replaced.

Good luck.

 

I would do it for free, as long as there is a case of beer near by, and when finished a trip to the titty bar.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mythias &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would do it for free, as long as there is a case of beer near by, and when finished a trip to the titty bar.</TD></TR></TABLE>

**** d00d, come do some work on my car . I'll give you mad beer AND take you to a badass strip joint

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by white rocket &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">**** d00d, come do some work on my car . I'll give you mad beer AND take you to a badass strip joint </TD></TR></TABLE>

I gladly would, but B.C. is a bit too far for me.

 

How is the front side of the motor? Possibly a cam seal leak.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by white rocket &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

**** d00d, come do some work on my car . I'll give you mad beer AND take you to a badass strip joint </TD></TR></TABLE>
Fly me up and I'll take care of joor chit too. I wouldn't mind a trip to BC...

But Bob is right, it's the front crank seal. It's not a very difficult job if you have the right tools and are mechanically inclined. If your even second guessing yourself, take it to someone.

 

Listen, I have delt with leakiing oil and my caR plenty. The best advice that I can give you is to clean the engine completely and I mean really clean it, degrease it and wash it down. Change the oil and start the car and then start looking. Start at the top and work your way down. I was once chasing an oil leak for 8-9 months, thought that it was a blown head gasket, so I changed it, but it was not that. Did a little more cleaning and looking to find out that it was something as simple as tightening a f-ing hex plug on back side of the head. Don't forget the back side of the motor, oil will travel like water, so just because it is dripping from the crank area does not mean that, that is where it originated. Good Luck

 

I had the same problem on my prelude, it was two bad cam seals, an oil punp seal (looks like a giant misshaped o-ring) and the balance shaft seals. I replaced the crank seal while I was at it too. The main thing is get the oil pump seal replaced while all that stuff is off.