Hey guys, I have a 97 gsr and I just gave it a much needed tune up. I changed all the gaskets which were... valve cover gasket, both vtec gaskets, the distributor o ring gasket, and cam plug. I did have oil build up before the tune up around the b18 stamp. It was coming from the distributor, the o ring was in bad shape, and the vtec gasket. But now, I'm still having the same issue. Oil build up around the lip of the head gasket and b18 stamp. Did I miss something? Could it possibly be coming from the head gasket itself? I don't have oil and coolant mixing and the car doesn't over heat. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

It's my understanding that usually pooling around the head gasket lip is from the VTEC solenoid. Maybe it didn't seal properly when you replaced the solenoid gaskets?

 

Ok, when i get home from work tomorrow i'll recheck the vtec solenoid gaskets.

 

Yea the vtec solinoid is a pia sometimes especially the skunk2 vtec solinoid! even with a new gasket it doest seal and gets pinched and leaks again, i usually put a small amount of honda bond around the gasket itself to seal it tight!.

 

Last night i pulled off the vtec solenoid and made sure the gasket was on right. Then i wiped down the surface area were the solenoid and block meet and used brake cleaner to get rid of any remaining oil. later tonight ill start the car up and watch under the hood for any leaks in that area. If i still see any oil, ill try honda bond. Thanks LittleWing and wunfstgsr.

 

I have had a lot of problems in this area myself, in fact common on all Hondas as far as I know. Most common as you mentioned, is the distributor gasket. Also I have had leaks coming from my cam seals. When you install them it's recommended to use silicone. I personally use the "permatex" 750 high temp orange. Put plenty of it on the plastic seal at the end of the valve cover. I had that seal leak on my when I did my head gasket and didn't realize the cam seals and plastic cap at the end were supposed to have silicone on them. I also replaced my temp sensor and made sure that was sealed.

 

so two days ago I rechecked the vtec solenoid gasket and cleaned the surface area and surrounding area free of oil. On my way home today I stopped at Honda to pick up a tube of Honda bond. One of the tech's at Honda told me that I should not use it on the vtec solenoid gasket because those gaskets were made to seal properly on their own. I bought the tube anyway for future use. When I got home I started the car and let it run for about 25 minutes. I didn't see any leaks coming anywhere from that area. So I'm hoping that's the end of that...lol

 

you should be able to get it on there with the gasket like was said. i was doing timing and water pump on 97 civic lx and the gasket for the life of me would not sit, finally i got it on there(so i thought) it pinched like yours. the gasket which came with the pump was o ring type. i bought another one felpro which was form custom shape of pump sat in there fit perfect. idk maybe try different gasket brand.

 

Yea hes right the ruber gasket is all you need but its best to torque it evenly to avoid pinching it. I had to use Hobda bond becaue using the Skunk2 vtec solinoid the oem gasket does not sit flush like the oem unit and so after 2 trys i used a small thin spread right over the ruber gasket and it sealed great.