I recently bought a 99 ex auto. Thought I got a deal but it appears the chick fugged me without the pleasure....

anyways, I opened the hood the other day and noticed some oil leaking under the distributor cap..

Since theres a CEL that shows P1259, (vtec solenoid) I figure it could be a bad Vtec solenoid gasket, or bad O ring

How should I tackle this to figure out... I initially thought," buy a used Vtec solenoid off of ebay but then I may still need to buy separate gaskets....

So to sum this up, I want to solve the oil leak and the P1259 code..

any help would help me and save $$ so thanks

1999 civic ex auto, d16y8
177k miles

 

Scribe a mark across the distributor mounting flange and the cam cap it bolts to so you can put it back exactly where it was. Remove the distributor, replace the O-ring (about $2 from Honda) While you have it off pull the cap and check to make sure there's no oil inside, of there is the internal seal is bad.

Go to Honda get the two vtec solenoid gaskets. The part number for the one not listed is: 36172-P08-015

 

I say clean it up first and run the car every 10 minutes than pop the hood and see where its leaking. Or just replace everything: distributo o-ring, vtec gasket valve cover gasket and grommets.

 

Once the Vtec solenoid is off, what can I do to it to ensure its not the actual solenoid? Is there something I can clean in it or inspect??

If it doesnt, should I just buy a new(working) Vtec solenoid??

 

according to this chart, do I need #14, and #12?
http://www.hondapartssales.com/lisle...ll&view=normal

And from this chart, #6??
http://www.hondapartssales.com/lisle...ll&view=normal

 

please help answer my questions. I just received my gaskets.

Once the solenoid is out, what should I do to it? Is there a procedure to clean it out or to check to make sure it is working? Thanks

 

ok so Im not blaming anyone but due to bad info I got from this site, i ordered the wrong gaskets. now, not only am I out of 20 bucks, my car is down because when I removed the old gaskets, they broke

Just for future reference the main gasket is

15825-P2M-005

 

What gasket did you receive?

 

15825-P08-005

 

Once u pull the vtec solenoid off clean with brake cleaner or carb cleaner and let dry, put the vtec gasket on and put some gasket maker around the holes (not in it).

Also pull your distributor to make sure oil is not leaking inside the cap, if it is then your distributor inner seal is bad so you need to replace it. If it's leaking on the outside of the distributor housing then your oil ring gasket needs replacing.

It can also b your cam seals check those too.

If inner seal is bad inside distributor you have to pull everything out inside the distributor (just did this a few month ago and wasn't hard.

Part number for inner distributor seal BH3888-E0.( this inner seal you have order online cause your local part store don't keep them in stock but they do keep the outer o ring gasket in stock just tell them what engine you got.

 

you blame people for an incorrect part number? seriously? go to the dealership, tell them what year, make, and model car you have and buy things like a normal human. how about doing your own diagnostics instead of being lazy? take your car to the carwash, clean out the bay, and pinpoint the leak location. don't hold me responsible if the machine eats a quarter.