Hey All,

Great site. I use it a lot but I've never had to post anything. I searched around and can't seem to find any info on a problem I've encountered with my '98 CX.

There seems to be a lot of grime (possibly grease or oil ) under the distributor, around and on the valve cover and also all over the transmission housing. I checked my cv joints they appear to be ok. I was thinking it might be the distributor O-ring but I'm really not certain plus it seems to be the same stuff that is seeping out around the valve covers and there's an awful lot on the transmission housing. It seems too gritty to just be oil plus the car really doesn't lose much oil between changes.

I would value any ideas or feedback you all have. Pics attached.


[IMG]PHOTO_20140408_123239 by mooneyk201, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]PHOTO_20140408_123246 by mooneyk201, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

For the most part, that looks like oil, evaporated oil, and oil flung from hitting belts. Grab yourself a few bottles of Simple Green and a couple brass bristle brushes, and clean the **** out of your engine. Make that thing SHINE. Once you've done that, you can start pinpointing your oil leaks.

 

Ok that definitely sounds like a good place to start. I ll post back once I get it scrubbed down.

 

My first thought is valvecover gasket AND distributor O-ring. Worst case scenario, cam seal.

 

With the amount of fluid, and the age of it, I'm going to guess there's a LOT of leaks and/or microleaks all around the motor. Gotta get to a clean slate to figure out where all of the leaks are coming from, though.

 

My thoughts as well

Yeah, no point in throwing parts on it and then finding out it still leaks.

 

Actually now that you say that, looking again it looks like the valve cover bolts are leaking as well.