Hey everyone, hopefully there are some experts who can point me in the right direction here. I just had a reputable shop install a new timing belt/water pump at 93,000 miles on my 1999 accord LX 4cyl. It is now pooling oil behind and to the left of the timing belt case. There is also a piece of rubber that looks like a seal that broke off from where the engine head is connected. Sorry if I'm not making much sense, hopefully the pics can help.

Should I not drive it and get it towed to the dealer? It is dripping oil on the ground and pooling oil as seen in the pictures.








Thank you.

 

Can't be certain but it could be the seal between upper and lower timing belt covers. If the shop is indeed "reputable" they will fix it. If you get a song and dance that they didn't do that you need to get it fixed properly and take them to small claims court.

 

I sent these pictures to the mechanic and he thinks it's the valve cover gasket as he may have not aligned it properly causing it to tear when it was tightened down. He said he will take care of everything. Does that sounds like it could be the issue?

 

Could be that you spilled some while filling the crankcase. That's what it looks like to me at least. The area is next to where the filler cap is, correct? I spilled some oil and had it looking something like that.

 

That's next to the timing belt casing, behind it to the left. The gasket rubber piece is sitting there torn off from where the valve meets the block. There is definitely missing pieces there.

 

First off its not the timing belt covers.
They are external of the engine and its oiling system.
I would recommend removing the valve cover and applying a thin covering of Honda-bond to the gasket mating surface in the head, around the rear corner where the leak is.
If you want, refer to a helms for your car and they outline exactly where to apply the sealant.

I had oil leak like this a few years ago and did use sealant on my VC gasket.
In my case, I actually had a faulty came seal.
The bad seal let oil escape from behind the cam gear, and fell down behind the timing cover, to pool in the area in your pictures.

I doubt that is your problem but its something to consider should the valve cover not be the issue.