my 98 civic is leaking oil, its on both front and back, is it coming from the dizzy by chance?? Or is it possible the head gasket? Car has 105k miles and I bought it at 95 k miles in Florida and drove it to Minnesota and this is what I seen when I went to change the oil. 95% sure it was dry when I got it. Also recently its been idleing VERY low like sometimes 300 rpms almost about to die and car shakes.

5-speed
EX model
No check engine lights

pic-

 

is it the block that getting oil on it? could be headgasket.. idle could possibly be the iacv which is on the back of the manifold..

 

might also be the valve cover gasket

 

the block yes, it seems mostly on the tranny area all the way around. It looks dryer under the exhaust manifold, back of motor looks all wet by speed sensor etc area. It seems to have a few drips everytime I park.

First step would be to replace dizzy seal and valve cover gasket? If its the head gasket I would rather just sell the car lol.

 

id change the valve cover gasket and dizzy o-ring and make sure u get rtv to put in the sharp corners for the valve cover. it recommends you use it on both sides around the cam.

 

Thanks for the feedback, I was on the fence about doing the water pump/timing belt, fuel filter etc etc or just selling it. I will try and fix it and clean off the oil and watch it.

 

Might be a leaking distributor O-ring ===> pretty easy fix

 

I doubt it's the head gasket. If it was bad enough to be leaking oil like that I would assume you would be having some serious problems with the engine running right. Get some degrease and clean all that oil off. If you want to do it quick hit it with some brake cleaner and it will fall right off. With it clean watch it closely to pinpoint where the oil starts to leak from.

 

I have a similar oil leak. where you able to know where it was coming from. do you think this from the head gasket. thanks

 

i have the same oil leak.. New valve cover gasket and Dizzy o-ring. i am pretty sure it might be the head gasket. thats the last thing i can think of. im not too worried about it right now the car runs fine the only problem i have is its running really rich. Im running 93 in my car tho so im not sure if that is the reason of the richness. My short term fuel trim is like -26.4 and my long term is like -16.2. cant figure out that problem tho

 

I'm having a leak problem too. I changed the valve cover gasket, dizzy seal. I think it's my oil pan. All my oil is underneath, or around the pan. I don't think it's my head gasket, I'm not showing signs of that.

 

If you are going to change the valve cover gasket, get the spark plug grommets as well. They are most likely dry/brittle and leaking as well. Most likely thats the Dizzy o ring. Most of the seals on these care are old and dried up.

I changed the valve cover gasket, spark plug grommets, valve cover bolts/washers, VTEC solenoid gasket, oil pan gasket, and axle seals.

My front and rear main seal are good for now, but I'm sure will need to be replaced in the future. It's nice having a dry engine bay/driveway. The seals don't cost much.

 

Bump

 

NO way is it a headgasket. Its either your Valve cover gasket, Distributor O ring or the vtec selenoid. I had the same leak and i replaced everything i just listed and come to find out it was the upper vtec selenoid gasket part#36172-p08-015 from honda. It fits 96-00 Civic d16y8 engines even though honda tells you otherwise.