I've been chasing a few oil leaks on my 2002 CR-V since I bought it used and I think this is the last one. It's hard to see in the pictures but it's the VTEC module at the rear passenger side of the valve cover.

Can someone tell me what exactly is leaking and what I need to replace?

About two years ago I replaced the VTEC spool valve filters with OEM parts and last summer I replaced the valve cover when I did a valve adjustment so the valve cover gasket shouldn't be leaking. I used a OEM Honda gasket with the little dab of sealant in the corners.

Thanks in advance.

 

Bump

 

Either it’s that same spool valve filter/gasket that’s leaking again, or perhaps the o-ring for the oil pressure sensor. I imagine that solenoid(?) also has an o-ring but I’ve never removed that part before.

I’ve gone through this before, I replaced the filter/gasket (honda 15815-raa-a02) but it leaked not too long after that so I threw a whole new assembly at it. Aftermarket. Fixed the issue.

 

That's the same P/N I replaced and I also replaced the other one too (P/N 15845-RAA-A01) and it's only been 30k miles since so hopefully it's not leaking already. I'll get a parts diagram and get some seals on order. Thanks for the tip!

Update: looking at my spreadsheet it appears that I replaced the 91319-PAA-A01 o-ring when I changed the VTec filter. That o-ring is the one underneath the pressure switch shown in the picture above.

How likely is it that the pressure switch itself is leaking?

 

Personally, I have terrible luck with sealing oil leaks lol. If I had a seal hold for 30k miles I’d be really happy.

Regarding the pressure switch leaking itself (not from the o-ring) I have heard of that happening. It actually happened to me a while back on my truck. The oil was leaking through on internal part on the oil pressure sensor, getting into the connector and wire harness/insulation.

The oil pressure light would flicker on and off.

If that’s the situation you suspect, I would disconnect the oil sensor and inspect the terminals for oil. If present, clean them, reinstall, drive around and recheck to see if oil is once again on the terminals.

I would think that you’d be having issues with vtec if it were leaking enough oil pressure.

 

It's not a bad leak but it annoys me because it runs down the back of the block, drips off the oil pressure sensor and makes the top of the CV axle a gooey mess. I see it every time I change the oil and filter.

Here is a picture from Google of an aftermarket spool valve. I wonder if I can remove the silver cover on mine, replace the o-ring underneath it and/or add gray Permatex.

Honda doesn't list a P/N for this o-ring (or gasket) but we have an o-ring measuring tool at work.

If there is just a gasket underneath then I could simply clean and add gray Permatex.

Thoughts?

 

I’m only going to say yes, do it because I’ve never seen that silver plate removed. But personally I would throw a whole unit at it.

And make sure to take some pictures of it and post back. I’m interested lol

 

If I remove that cover then I will definitely provide an update here. I'm first going to thoroughly clean it and then keep an eye on it to see if I can see where exactly the leak is coming from. This car spent the first 15 years of its life baking in Texas heat and I've had to replace a lot of rubber parts so it wouldn't surprise me if the seal under that cover, whether it be an o-ring or gasket, needs love.

 

I have not had good experience with the aftermarket brands and would suggest a Honda OEM part for longer durability. Even the OEM parts do not last as long as I think they should.

 

sf340b: if I buy one I'll get OEM Honda part.

Update for everyone: I thoroughly cleaned the rear VTec spool valve over the weekend and now I'll keep a close eye on it to see if I can determine the source of the leak.

Stay subscribed to this post for updates because if I determine that there is a leak coming from underneath the cover I'll remove the valve, remove the cover and see if I can reseal it.

 

My sensor (right of the purple circle) was leaking where the plastic and metal was meeting. I changed it out and no more oil leaks. I was chasing it for years thinking it was the vtec spool valve gasket. While the engine was running you can see it seeping out.

that sensor has two areas that could leak, where the mental meets the spool valve which is an o-ring or where the plastic/metal meets which I’m don’t know if it’s an o-ring but I just bought a new sensor and it no longer leaks.

 

That's great information to know, thank-you...that could easily be my problem.

What area of the country do you live in? This car spent most of it's life baking in the Texas heat so I'm trying to figure out if there is a correlation with the hot dry air.

 

Southern Cali.

it was my vtec oil pressure switch that was leaking.

 

Does it get "Texas Hot" by you in the summer?

 

Summers range from 90° to 115° where I’m at which is near the coast/mountains/valley.

 

Got it, thanks. That's seems hot enough that your car...with the failed pressure switch...could be in the same temp range as where my car came from.

 

Update: I checked the spool valve over the weekend for oil leaks. Looking from the top down, I don't see any leaks and I even swabbed the top of the valve with a Q-Tip especially the area around the oil pressure switch so I think the 91319-PAA-A01 o-ring underneath the oil pressure switch is not the culprit. However, if I reach my hand down between the firewall and and the valve cover, I can feel oil on the heat shield with my fingers. The area where I felt oil is shown below in red (I borrowed this picture from Google). When I cleaned the valve a couple weeks ago I also changed the oil so visually detecting an oil leak at this point will be difficult since the oil is still clean. Something else to consider: when I get out of the car in my garage when I get home from work I think I occasionally get a whiff of oil burning so I'm wondering if this could be a clue as to where the spool valve is leaking. Also, every time I change the oil, I notice that the oil pressure switch located near the oil filter is also coated in oil but I've cleaned it a few times (including inside the rubber cover) and had ruled it out as the leak since I've found oil on the spool valve heat shield (which is located above). Is it possible that the oil pressure switch located near the oil filter is spraying oil upwards towards the spool valve?