I have a 98 accord lx i4 manual with an oil leak. I lose about half a quart every 2 1/2 weeks (about 800 miles driven). It leaks if the car is off and leaks more when it's on (I took a small 300 mile trip (no stops) and lost 1/3 quart).

When I look under the car, the oil drips from the flywheel housing, but I'm sure it's leaking from somewhere higher.

Also if you are looking at the engine from above there is some pretty dried up oil all around the starter and where the starter connects to the block (I've cleaned this area and it just comes back very slow and dirty).

I've been told that it's my rear main seal, and I had it replaced. But it was still leaking. The leak might have slowed down a bit, but after about a month the leak is back to normal. (my normal)

What I've done:
- new oil pan and sealed with hondabond
- replace rear main seal

BTW, I've had this car for about 7 years and I first noticed the leak after my first few oil changes, I went synthetic (I thought the synthetic had something to do with the leak). Since then I've been using 5w-30. The only mod is a CAI, other than that it's completely stock.

So where could this oil be leaking from?

Sorry for the long winded explanation. Any ideas or answers would be greatly appreciated.

 

Ouch, sure wish you had posted before you replaced the rear main seal.

Check under the dist, first thing

Don't shoot the messenger here, but you might need the trans off again.

the housing that holds the rear main seal and mounts to the back of the block is only sealed with a silicone sealer....I've seen several of them leak.

Item #7 in this pic.

 

Thanks hondadude, that could definitely be the problem. Out of the people that I have talked to, no one has suggested that as being an issue.

What type of sealer should I use for the housing assembly?
Also, should the rear main seal be sealed with anything?

And what do you mean by, "Check under the dist, first thing"?

Thanks again

 

The distributor has an o ring to keep oil in the head. Clean that area up and see it it is coming from there.

I'm with Hondadude that the rear plate is likely the place it's leaking from. I am 99% sure that it is just hondabonded on and torqued down to spec. I'd get the seal replaced again at the same time. it's a $30 - $40 part if I remember right and it might add 1/2 an hour of labor to the job.

 

degrease the eng. and trans. and check up on it after a drive and see where the oil trails from

 

Thanks for the replies.

I'll be adding this to my to do list. Probably when I do my clutch again,.. and maybe flywheel.

I just need to find time to tear everything apart.