For a 1998 Honda civic ex. I have a small oil leak, and I wanted to see if it was leaking at the part covered up by the top half of the timing cover. I don't want to pull the valve cover and having to replace it if the cover gasket is not the issue. Thanks.

 

I think the valve cover has to come off, but I've taken mine off a few times without having to replace the gasket and it doesn't leak.

 

VC needs to come off

 

Damn! Thanks. if I have a leak on the timing cover side it should be noticeable, right? Also, should I reuse the cover gasket or get another one?

 

It should be noticable...you could eat of my motor, dont know about yours though.

I would replace it. They are cheap, and wont have to do it again. There are times I have reused it and hasnt leaked just like Mr.Bojangles said. But again...cheap, and why not?

 

Depends on the condition of the one you have. When I took my cover off I didn't replace it, I just used the old one, and I have no leaks.

 

Engine looks like the day I bought it 15 years ago. I noticed a little drip of oil and its on the cover the side. About a year ago I had the cam/crank/belts/pump/oil pump/etc all replaced or RR'd with OEM parts. I'm not worried about the fix. The car is 15 years old with 92K miles, but since I don't feel like tearing into this thing myself (hate sideways engines) and taking it to someone is going to run me about 350-500 bucks, I figure why bother when the vehicle may be worth 2K on a good day. Sinking 1/4 of the value on an irritation, if anything, is not worth it to me. I'll take a look at the easy stuff, and replace the gasket. I'll drive this bitch till it dies...

 

Weird because it was dripping for a few days, stopped and then came back. Feels weird, very clean, not dirty at all, like new oil. Feels kind of sticky. And really has no smell, per se. I'm wondering if the driver side fluid filled motor mount is leaking... running down the engine support and down into the cover some how?

 

Anyone know what color the oil is from the drive side engine mount? Thanks.

 

New member here;

Was curious about the timing cover myself.

Question for y'all, What are some of the symptoms if your timing is off?

My car feels really sluggish from a stop.

 

I've re-used mine a few times; wipe both surfaces with a rag that has a little rubbing alcohol on it, and you can put just a tiny dab of silicone gasket sealer in the corners that makes sharp corners, such as next to a cam bearing stand on the head of a D engine. As long as the valve cover hold down bolts have not been overtightened it should be fine. Another great Honda design.

 

Transversely mounted, my friend. Transversely mounted.

 

This can be good when the car is sideways too.

 

this ^ (but I use acetone). It really depends on how much sealer is gummed up on the corners of the gasket. You can get a new fel-pro gasket and grommets at Autozone for like ~$15. Some people cut most of the lip off their upper timing cover to make it removable without removing the valve cover.

 

I was not going to suggest this, but it was how my car was when I bought it! That section of the "lip" can be nuked with a dremel quite easy.

I don't run any cover at all now - I have memorized how to spot TDC on #1 now and don't miss the pointer.

 

if you would learn to fix it yourself, you wouldn't have to sink that much into very simple repairs, why would you spend all that money fixing stuff that didnt really need to be replaced? I would rather pull a Honda valve cover any day then pull the one on the towncar, it takes less then 20 minutes to do the Honda, and 6 hours and pulling half the **** off the 302 to be able to remove both valve covers

 

Fords...

 

and no matter what you do, the ****** will be leaking again in a month, I bought the new "improved" gasket set this time, if it ever stops raining, I have to do this **** again

 

Don't feel bad. I have an Escape and that thing is shoehorned together like a Chinese box puzzle. Never again Ford.

 

Oh, I can do just about anything on a vehicle. I prefer not to. My time is worth money too... and I have been extremely busy as of late...