If some of you guys really hang out here alot, then you might recall my last post about over heating in my 4thgen Accord Ex 5spd, which was traced to an overheating thermostat. Which I replaced, and the overheating stopped.

Well today, my oil light comes on. Which I thought to be odd since I just changed my oil. I check the engine, and it is bone dry! Now I am worried. Oil is all over the back of the engine. The oil cap is on tight, the drain bolt is on tight, and the filter is on tight.

My next thought is that maybe I didn't get to my overheating problem quick enough, and that something has been warped. Hopefully not the head, but that is what I am worried it might be. You guys here are high on experience, what do you think?

 

loose oil filter seal (IE damages or cracked)?




[Modified by YeuEmMaiMai, 11:23 AM 1/10/2003]

 

the gasket from the old filter is still on the car

 

I would say check that first.

Edit:Thread titles like Uh Oh do not help the search feature. When you title a thread with a specific question or problem you will get better, more direct responses. And when someone has the same problem, they can search and find the answer they're looking for.


[Modified by Stew Pidasso, 12:28 PM 1/10/2003]

 

Hmm, I will go check. But those things would have showed up right away don't you think. This problem took a couple days to show up and then it was oil everywhere.

To be honest I was kind of hoping in some ways that it would be a big problem and give me an excuse to do and engine swap that I have always been wanting to do.


[Modified by Voom, 5:29 PM 1/10/2003]

 

I am high on more than just experience, but yeah, as stated before most likely the rubber gasket from the old oil filter stuck to the block when you removed it. You put the new filter on over it, noticed a weird feeling when tightening it up, but did it anyways. The new filter isn't sealing to the block. I did this once, luckily I always start the car and check for leaks, and spotted it right away as $16 worth of Mobil 1 stained my garage floor. You do this once!

 

If you have two gaskets or a bad single gasket it will still seal, just not that good. It's probably not spraying out. Maybe it only sprays a little under high oil pressure (high RPMs). It would still take something as thick as oil a while to leak/squirt out of a 1/32" gap.

 

This forum needs a dunce cap icon, becuase I need it. I don't know how much money I owe this place in saved mechanic fees but it is getting substantial.

You were absolutely right. I left the old gasket on. Geez. How stupid. Thanks for your help you guys I really appreciate it.

I guess I won't get to do any engine swap this time. Damn


[Modified by Voom, 5:54 PM 1/10/2003]

 

don't worry as long as you shut the engine off when the oil light came on you should be ok.

 

common mistake, i did it when i first got this honda. the guy before me used fram (AAAHH) filters and when i took that filter off the gasket stuck on, well i reached up and felt for the gasket but didn't feel anything so preceded to put the new filter on, it idled fine for about 5 minutes, then BLAM, oil all over my floor. i checked that and low and behold.
that's why i always check my car over really good and let it run for a while in the garage after an oil change just to make sure.

 

Remember, the first time you do it, it's not stupid. The SECOND time you do it, it's stupid!

 

Real quick question on the oil light, that light is an oil PRESSURE light correct? It is not a low oil light? I was at the dealer the other day and heard the service manager talking to someone on the phone that said just add oil until the light goes off and drive it over here. I was thinking... this sounds like bad advice to me. I know that GM cars have a low oil light as well as an oil pressure light but aren't our Honda's simply pressure?

 

Yes

 

meaning you have to be really low before your dummy light comes on

 

i.e. light comes on as the damage is being done... Not good.

 

Light comes on and stays: low oil
Light flashes: low oil pressure
At least that was the way 3rd gens were set up.