I believe my Pilot needs a new transmission pan gasket (see pics). Was going to change the fluid anyway, but has anyone performed this job? Couldn't find any videos on youtube. Just want to be aware of what I am getting myself into and what tools I will need BEFORE I get started. Thanks!

 

Hate to tell you this, but I think you've got a rear main seal leak.

 

Hmmm, bummer. It did look like engine oil and on second look, it does look like it's coming from rear main seal. If I use something like Bars Leaks, can that damage the engine? Don't have any experience with that type of product. With 265k on this beast and the tranny running well, not inclined to pay for the repair - would rather just try something like Bars Leaks and check the oil weekly and fill as required. Will keep it parked in the street to save my driveway or put a pan on the driveway to catch any leakage. Thoughts? Thanks for your help!!!

 

BTW - I just did an oil change about 500 mi ago. Been using High Mileage Mobil1 forever and have need leaked oil. This popped up literally overnight.

 

It is hard to tell in the photos if it is transmission fluid or engine oil. but on my 05 TL I have engine oil leaking from around the dust cover area and it is spread around very similar to your photos. You should be able to smell and feel which type of fluid it is. I know for a fact that its my rear main seeping small amounts of oil, never shows up on the dipstick though. I read quit frequently online that a bad pcv valve can lead to the rear main starting leak and that replacing it can help keep it from getting worse, I went ahead and picked up a new oem one (as far as I am aware it has never been changed in the 170k+ miles its been on the road) and it was stuck shut and full of crusty stuff.

Sometimes it can take awhile for that oil to make its way down to the bottom of the engine/transmission case, but without seeing it in person I am just taking a guess as what is going on. If you remove the dust/inspection cover (2 10mm bolts hold it on) and get a good flashlight you can take a look up in there and see if there is any fluids between the transmission case, torque converter and the back of the block.

 

There is another inexpensive option that you might check before you get into replacing the rear main seal. Are you familiar with the main bearing cap side bolts?

Check out the following threads for some information in that regard. These come from a Ridgeline forum, but the V6 used is very similar between the Pilot and Ridgeline for generation 1 in both series, so it may well apply to the early Pilot too.

Pesky Oil Leak finally solved (service bulletin). - Honda Ridgeline Owners Club Forums

Oil Pan Gasket Replacement Questions - Honda Ridgeline Owners Club Forums

 

Thanks guys! Although I don't understand the connection between the PVC valve and the rear main seal (I am NOT a mechanic but do my own maintenance on my vehicles), I pulled it and it definitely was clogged. When I shook the PVC valve, it didn't make the "bearing in a paint can" sound. Sprayed it out with brake cleaner and sounds good, but for $4 I went ahead and ordered a new one online.

Probably won't be able to investigate the side bolts until this weekend. I did drain about a pint of oil and put in a bottle of Bar's Leaks Rear Main Seal Repair. I don't drive the Pilot a lot - work from home now, so I probably won't know if that is working for at least a week or two.

Anyway, I appreciate your feedback and advice!