Hi, I recently noticed that oil is leaking out from the valve cover gasket (all four corners/rtv areas) that I replaced less than 5 months ago. I've also noticed that oil started to leak from the sensor under the distributor (who knows where else its leaking now). I did switch over to full synthetic oil back in March, but it looks as if the leak just started not too long ago. Could there be something causing the oil pressure to be too high causing leaks at multiple spots on the engine? Or does synthetic oil leak uncontrollably on old engines like mine?

Also, it seems that my coolant pressure is too high because the thermostat housing was leaking (sometime after I installed an aftermarket radiator/silicon hoses), then I slathered the thermostat gasket/seal with thermostat/waterpump rtv which fixed it for a couple of weeks, but is now leaking again. I do think the left bolt hole on the housing is stripped but somehow the coolant still blew through the rtv (it could be the aftermarket radiator/hoses causing it though).

 

Check your pcv valve, should vent any excess crank case pressure. If it's good ( blow through it like a check valve, you should hear it open & close) pull the black box & clean it out with gas lol.

I had an old crx that leaked like crazy, pull the valve cover breather too. Should blow air at idle, not oil haha

 

I did replace the pcv valve a little bit before changing the oil. However, I had to use autoparts-store hose instead of the oem one (that connects the breather to the pcv valve) because the old pcv valve was bonded to it and shattered both the pcv valve and the tip of the oem hose trying to get it out. My modified pcv system ended up causing the car to not start (I made a thread on that if you want to understand more of that situation).

 

The line from the valve cover to the intake needs to be unobstructed to let pressure out. On an older engine with worn rings, the blowby flow is more than the PCV valve can handle and at throttle it flows backwards from the valve cover to the intake.

You need to helicoil the hole or replace the thermostat housing so you can get both bolts tight. RTV is not required on the gasket. Check the radiator cap for correct pressure and that the hose from the radiator neck to the reservoir tank is not obstructed.

 

Synthetic oil will find it's way past old seals where conventional wouldn't have. If you've switched to synthetic you might want to spend some time researching the consequences of doing so in an older worn engine that doesn't have the exacting tolerances that require it.

Your coolant is leaking because you can't tighten you thermostat housing properly. RTV isn't a miracle sealant.





eH.

 

your diy pcv rig may have a collapsed hose.

 

Alright, I'll try and get the oem hose as soon as I can (since I was planning on getting one anyways). The part number is 11855-P07-000. Do you think a local Honda dealership would carry these in stock? Or would I have to get it online?

 

Dealers keep few parts in stock, especially for old cars. But they can order it in, you would pay list price but they won't add shipping. This is generally a better deal for you when it is one small item.

 

Mine has the same problem. The piston rings are the source of this problem as they can't contain the exhaust gasses as well as they used to, so it all blows into the crankcase. Have you changed the piston rings on this car?

 

I have not since I got the car back in February. And I doubt any of the previous owners did.

 

It could also be from using synthetic oil. I bought a brand new Honda OEM Distributor and there is still oil getting past the seal and dripping down. It leaks the most when it's off and sitting in the parking lot, even when I depressurize the crankshaft by opening my valve cover cap right after driving it. So I suspect it might be the type of oil I am using. Just changed to conventional today so we shall see.