I noticed an oil leak, and saw that it was coming from the oil filter area (no, its not the oil filter gasket) and took it to my local mech. He said that some gaskets around the oil filter are bad, and its gonna cost $120. I'm not sure exactly which gaskets these are, but does this sound right? I didn't wanna "question" him too much, so as to not annoy him too much, but it sounds pretty reasonable for me. If anyone knows what gaskets are in that vicinity, I'd appreciate the help!

 

Only one I can think of is the oil filter base gasket. Is it only leaking from the oil filter on down? Or is it possibly leaking from a higher source? Is this dripping onto your exhaust and making it smoke? Or does it still drip but not hit the exhaust at all? Possibly could be your oil pan gasket too.

 

its definitly coming from the oil filter area, because I ran the car, and saw oil dripping from the oil filter base, but I know for a fact that it wasn't coming from the oil filter gasket, because the area where the filter meets the base didn't have any oil on it. I'm not sure if its coming from a higher source, because I was looking at it in my work place's parking lot, so I had a limited amount of time out there (plus it was freezing). So are you saying that the oil filter base, might be leaking where it meets with the engine itself? thanks for the help!

 

what is the year, make, model, and miles? Have you ever changed the valve cover gasket or oil pan gasket?

 

93 Accord EX, 107k miles, The valve cover gasket has been changed, oil pan gasket has not (but it is definitly leaking higher than the oil pan)

 

How long ago was the valve cover gasket replced?

 

I'd say.... 1.5 years ago?

 

The next time you change your oil try using 10w30 castrol high mileage oil and see if the leak stops.

 

dont know about it but try change oil filter. Some oil filters come with bad gaskets. You said that its definately not the oil filter gasket so discard this idea, but maybe this 2 - 3 dollars filter would save you 120 dollars - could not hurt.

Or it may be loose balancer shaft nut on the side of the engine if any recent timing belt change. check and see if its tight. it is where one insert a dowel inside to hold balancer shaft in place while doing timing belt change. I forgot to put back the nut on mine while changing TBs and it sure leaked oil at the area where the oil filter is.

Could it come from the cylinder head gasket, but I very strongly doubt it.

just a few cents of mine. I know it is hard to work on cars while its freezing out, but worth an effort on one saturday to save some $$ and perhaps a dinner and beer afterwards with the saved money.

Good luck.

 

before I spent $120, I'd ask for a more specific description than "some gaskets". I can't really guess if $120 is reasonable or outrageous.

the bottom line with any mechanic is this: do you trust them?

 

when you do replace the oil put oem Honda new oil filter. check for leaks.

 

How often do they need replacing the valve cover gasket?

 

Assuming you don't overfill the oil pan, the I would say you need to change your valve cover gasket every 80-100k miles.

 

I bet its the balancer shaft seal honda had a recall on this. Mine leaked so i just fixed when i did my timing belt. But if thats the case 120 to fix balancer shaft seal isnt bad

 

I'm having a problem very similar to this one now. I see oil dripping (more like flowing) from the oil filter area. Like the other guy who had this problem, there is no oil flowing from where the filter connects to the base, but its actually coming from closer to the block. I suppose the leak could be higher up, but i didnt feel much oil up there. The oil is leaking down onto the exhaust, and is smoking a bit. The oil is coming out a rate kind of like when you turn the tap on real slow, so its just on enough not to be dripping, but its one continuous slow stream. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Or any more info about the oil filter base gasket would be greatly appreciated.

On a side note, when I was looking for the leak, I found out the oil filter was loose I also realized that most of the bolts on the oil pan weren't on real tight either. I'm guessing this is because its a california car undergoing its first real iowan winter, and the cold is doing very bad things to it. Are any of these common cold weather problems? Anything special i should do for the car because of the cold?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by LiveWire23 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Are any of these common cold weather problems? Anything special i should do for the car because of the cold?</TD></TR></TABLE>

As far as this goes, search for cold weather I know there was a decent thread about prepping for cold weather. Also make sure when you put on your new oil filter to put some new oil onto the actual gasket before putting it on (a trick my old man taught me, I guess it provides a better seal). Also I would ask you mechanic as to what "gaskets" are leaking, he probably sees it as a easy job and would want the extra cash. It could be your oil pan gasket because those tend to wear out. Reason I say this is because when your running your engine and driving oil will spray around and then when your car sits it will start to drip (hope that makes sense). When your down by your oil filter make sure that all your oil pan nuts are there and tight....I had a small oil leak and turned out I was missing 2-3 bolts/nuts so I changed the gasket and added more nuts/bolts. Hope this helps and sorry for the long explanation. Good luck.

 

so far every post i have read in this thread is giving bad ideas so i will let you in on the problem because the mechanic is taking you for a ride ..... i see this problem in my shop on the 92-93 accords maybe once every few weeks .... it is the "oil filter housing o-ring" the part is extremely cheap and very easy to change

1st remove the oil filter
2nd get a 29 or a 30 MM socket and remove the nut on the bolt that you screw the oil filter into once you remove that bolt pull back on the oil filter housing and you will see the o-ring change it and re assemble it is a 10 minute job at my shop we charge 30.00 for this job i feel that your mechanic is charging you too much

http://www.hondaautomotivepart...AINER

#33 is the part that needs to be replaced


Modified by Stripped Honda at 4:13 AM 2/14/2004