That's right.. having TWO oil leaks!!!!

Ok some of you helped me fix my original oil leak with the oil pressure sensor unit last week and it was all very much appreciated... but now after I fixed that I noticed there was still oil leaking from somewhere else! Good news is I think I know where it's comming from.. if you look at the back of the block there is this black metal box bolted to the block right next to the oil filter.. I heard that box can leak becuase of a bad O-ring gasket.. which is an easy fix.. but how do i get that box off? I dont see any bolts and its very very cramped back there for me to get any sort of wrench in there.. so what I'm asking is 1) is it common to leak back there in that black box? 2) what is that black box called and what's it for? and 3) how the hell can I get to that box to take it off??? ok i'm done thanks again peeps!

 

there should be 2 bolts one on top and one on bottom of the box

 

ok cool.. but how do i get to the top bolt? i think the bottom one won't be a problem.. and i hope i dont need to take the intake manifold off just to get to the top one! And do you know what the name of that device is called? the black box?

 

I belive it is an oil cooler, as far as getting it off... perseverance!!
just try different wrench/socket combos til one works, I was working in the same neighborhood when I did my oil cooler/ filter relocator last fall, it is deffinitely cramped, if you can get to a lift it would be a lot easier, if not get some comfortable cardboard... good luck!!


[Modified by civic disobedience, 7:58 AM 1/31/2003]

 

Not an oil cooler. There's no way something that size can hold 85psi of oil pressure through a fitting with just an O-ring and two bolts 2-3" away from that fitting, do you? It's more of a stock catch-can assembly. Nevertheless, that catches only little amounts of oil, and should not be a concern of an oil leak.

As far as getting the top bolt off, you might have to use a swivel joint and a variety of extensions to get it off. I recommend a 1/4" drive socket as it's the most navagable.

 

"What's worse than having an oil leak?"
How about blowing up your motor?
That little black box does have a tendency to leak, the way it is mounted is one of the few flaws I see with the OEM design of the B16/18. Even with a new o-ring, it can leak if it gets cocked slightly. Mine did.

 

[QUOTE]"What's worse than having an oil leak?"
How about blowing up your motor?
QUOTE]


Yeah a blown motor would own us all lol.. anyway so what is the name of that box? oil catch device? i thought there was lika an offical name of that thing.. i need to know so i can call honda and not sound like an idiot when asking for the part!

 

Breather chamber.

 

I think a clogged PVC Valve would make that leak.

 

Really? how so? I thought it was caused by a bad gasket or seal??

 

It's commonly called the charcoal canister. I don't know what the official Honda term for it is. A clogged pcv valve will make it leak because the o-ring in it is not the tightest fitting thing in the world. Any excess crankcase pressure (clogged pcv valve) will result in oil coming out of this location.

 

cool man.. i'll check the pcv valve.. otherwise I guess I'll just have to replace the O-ring right?

 

Charcoal canister's near the battery, slightly below it and towards the centerline of the car. You'll see solenoids on/very near the evaporative canister.

 

Charcoal cannister is part of the evaporative emissions control system, and as stated, it's near the battery. Breather chamber is on the back of the block, next to the oil filter.

 

It's the crankcase breather box I believe. It's what the pcv valve plugs into. Check your pcv valve, see if it makes noise when ya shake it.

 

Is this the "black box" you're talking about?

 

Thets the box all the blowby gasses and oil is collected to it is routed throught the pcv valve whitch separates the gas from oil and sends it to the intake. Oil cooler is right behind the oil filter most people think its just part of the block but its the oil cooler it's round like the filter and you can't see it till you take apart the block.

 

Yes that is the box i'm talking about.. how do I get to that o-ring seal? do I need to remove the whole box to do that? And I took my pcv vavle.. it did rattle but not TOO much.. tried cleaning it out with some carb cleaner but maybe i should just get a new one?

 

Yes, you need to take it all the way off to get to it. Start contorting your hands, wrists and arms to get back there and get out. Do you have a Helms manual? Get one if ya don't and go from there. How many miles are on that PCV valve? You may want to just buy a new one........I am not sure how to tell if it is good or not. I think if it does not ratlle, it's bad for sure.

 

That is correct sir

The PCV valve you need is for a del Sol VTEC. You can make a CRX Si piece fit but it doesn't fit well - trust me on this