So I've been noticing oil residue on a rad hose right below the distributor, nothing major but enough to leave residue. I changed the Spool valve assy (#15 on the diagram) a few days ago and right now I just checked it and it still feels like there is oil around it. The residue is between the bottom bolt and the bolt closest to the firewall (By the cam seal.) I cleaned the area with brake cleaner after assy, and again right now. The cam seal looked alright. The only thing I could think of is that I over torqued the bolts. Could that be it?
Here's a pic from the helms.



Modified by mkazm83 at 4:34 PM 3/26/2006

 

That may be. i had the same problem but its turned out to be my cam seal which was an cheap fix I would maybe look at that alittle closer and see if that may possibly be your problem.

 

Anyone else?
If I took the solenoid off and retorqued the bolts can I re-use the gasket or do I have to get a new one? Also, Is there a re-intallation order (Helms didint mention it) for the bolts?


Modified by mkazm83 at 6:47 AM 3/27/2006

 

Bolt torque should not cause that gasket to leak. You can replace the gasket or clean off everything well and put it back on with a light coating of silicone.

 

i'd just go ahead and replace the gasket. Such a cheap replacement and you get peace of mind.

 

i would bet money its the cam seal, thats what it has been for me and every other person, the cam seal may look ok but its leaking slowly, guarantee its the seal

 

Thanks, Ill try to source an aftermarket cam seal locally. The gasket wasent cheap either, $20 with tax.

 

i just bought that gasket for $12...http://www.acuraoemparts.com


good prices

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sirrjibbalott &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i just bought that gasket for $12...http://www.acuraoemparts.com


good prices</TD></TR></TABLE>
Thanks

Does that gasket require some oil around it to make a better seal? Like the oil filter.
If I took the solenoid off and re-torqued the bolts can I re-use the same gasket?

 

my brother had the same problem....fixed the solenoid gasket, still leaked so now he replaced the cam seal, no more leak.

 

K im changing the cam seal right now, do I oil the O rings in the STR? Also where is the otimal place to place the Hondabond?

 

I just oiled the O rings and put the hondabound in the middle of the rings.

 

i hope it works for u man. i hade a leak where the oil colected on the corner of the block. I changed my solenoid gasket but i did not hondabond it. i hope it works for u. lt me know if it does because if so i think i might just do the little trick you pulled. i have a little oil residue coming down but it might just be some runoff from the install.

Good luck

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by prelittlelude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i would bet money its the cam seal, thats what it has been for me and every other person, the cam seal may look ok but its leaking slowly, guarantee its the seal</TD></TR></TABLE>

9/10 times leaking from there is the cam seal, not the solenoid

 

Just for kicks here are some photos I took.




Im still getting oil residue around the valve cover gasktet (hopefully because I oiled it prior to install) and I think there is still some oil residue by the vtec solenoid.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mkazm83 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I just oiled the O rings and put the hondabound in the middle of the rings.</TD></TR></TABLE> Is this the correct way to install the cam seal?

 

 

Ok, something is still leaking. The only thing I can think of is I didint use enough honda bond. Any other things I should look at?

 

up.

 

dude you need to friggin pack the middle of that cam seal with hondabond, not just inbetween the O-Rings, but the entire middle mating surface over the o-rings and all.

No leak after that

If you still cant figure it out, let me know. Im local.