My mechanic says that the rear balance shaft seal (not the front one that pops off all the time) on my 97 SH is the cause of my fairly significant oil leak. Is this a difficult fix? Does the engine need to be pulled?

 

It should cost about the same as replacing a water pump.

 

I do believe its the front one that falls off all the time. I just fixed mine.

The problem is that the leak then leaks oil on your timing belt. and once you get oil on the rubber it can expand and break.

If they do the timing belt and everything It might cost upwards or $500.

 

not as much if you diy it.

Edit:
How sure is he about the rear balancer seal..



Modified by ricedadee at 1:22 PM 1/23/2007

 

Why not call a shop?

If you ever pull the motor, just elimate the balance shafts.

 

Yea last time i ran at the track i blew my balancer shaft seal, crankshaft seal, and the oil got all over the timing and balancer shaft belts.. it ran me about $550 to replace everything. needless to say i lost all of my oil in about 15 minutes.

 

I didn't actually see the leak, but the shop that just changed out my crank pulley and accessory belts indicated that was where the leak was from. Would the reat balancer shaft seal be leaking on my timing belts.

 

If the oil from this type of leak won't get all over my belts, I might just keep an eye on the oil level and wait for my next timing belt change to get this resolved. I just had the timiing belt etc. done about 12k ago.

 

Yes the balancer belt seal will leak oil onto the belts (balancer and timing).

 

I don't think you will know by checking the oil level..
I would only say you should visually check the belts but, how.
I wish honda would make a clear valve cover so we don't have to take apart the valve cover