I have a H22A1 VTEC with 230k miles on it. Oil appears to be leaking from the bottom of the lower timing belt cover. So a few questions...

1. How can I tell for sure if it is leaking from something behind the timing belt cover with the least amount of effort?
2. If I find out that for sure something is leaking back there and know that I need to pull all that apart, what seals / gaskets do I need to buy so that I don't have to do this over again? Here is my own list, anything I am missing?

7 15114-PT0-003 GASKET B, OIL PUMP (ARAI) JPN $4.97 $3.60
29 91212-PT0-003 OIL SEAL (40X52X7) (NOK) JPN $9.07 $6.57 - Crankshaft seal?
30 91233-PT0-003 OIL SEAL (27X40X8) (NOK) JPN $7.55 $5.47 - Crankshaft seal?
38 91213-PR3-004 OIL SEAL (29X43X8) (ARAI) JPN $7.50 $5.44 - Camshaft seal

So i count 4 oil seals/gaskets that could be causing the potential problem and I would replace all the belts and waterpump and waterpump gasket if I tore into all this. I am going to buy all parts from Majestic in advance

 

First thing that comes to mind is the front seal or the gasket around the crank pulley. You sure it isn't coming from the oil pan gasket right there?

You should not have to tear apart too much to fix most of these, but you will probably have to take off most/all of the timing pulleys to fix a leak on the timing side. I recommend doing the tensioner-swap while you have it all apart. Google h22 manual tensioner for more info.

btw, your oil pump is also mounted on that side of the engine. It could be the source of your leak and again, you would have to remove most/all of the timing cover/belt/stuff.

Wish I had more experience but I am just now doing my first rebuild (h22a1) and I am still tearing it apart..lol

Of course you can always remove every bolt possible from the timing covers and try to pry it back...

--TJ

 

I would recommend fixing it immediately.

I had a very minor leak from behind there for about 2 weeks. Just a few drops of oil leaking out per day. Then on the way to work one day my oil pressure light flashed...and to make a long story short: I blew the bottom end due to oil starvation. I had topped it up 1.5 days before that happened, so...it can turn into a pretty catastrophic leak in no time.

 

make sure you have the balance shaft seal retainer bracket for the front balance shaft. mine popped out on me and i lost all my oil in about 45 seconds. luckily i was parking as it happened.

 

There are 5 behind there, replace them all. Both cams, crank and both balance shafts all have a seal of their own.

 

When I built my motor my crank had a groove worn in it from the old seal. I figured a new seal would make it not leak. I was wrong. So it could be that as well. Dirt and grime will actually wear a groove into your crank from the seal.

 

Yeah, I think the oil pump could be the issue, that is what happened on my 87 accord. I appreciate it. Might as well just order all the parts and get to work. Never done one before which means it will take me all weekend and then some.

 

Thanks I will look for those online, I must have missed them on majestic hondas website.