I have a 95 Honda Accord LX.

A few weeks ago, I noticed an off smell coming from the front hood. Everything looked fine except for a messy oil change job by Jiffy Lube.

I suspected that it might be my oil; however, the oil change light never lit, there was no oil stains in my driveway, and the engine temp was within a normal range. The only indicator was the smell and a low level on the oil dip stick.

I changed the oil myself this time... being careful to do it right (it was my first time) and clean up the mess.

One week later ~ I noticed a drop of oil in the driveway after about a week. I drove the car up on a ramp and yes... I do have an oil leak... but, from where? The bottom side of the oil pan is wet with oil. Also, there is a drop spot on the bottom of my filter.

The filter is on tight and the drain plug was tightened properly.

What am I looking at here? I'm not a mechanic. Is this going to be something I can fix on my own (with the help of someone who knows what he is doing) or is this pretty severe... should I take it to the shop instead?

I would appreciate your feedback.






Scott B.


Modified by srburk at 1:21 AM 4/4/2004

 

Holy big pics batman

 

Yea... sorry about that. I've fixed it.

 

is it only on the underside right there, or can u see any coming from up top

 

I only see it on the underside.

 

it looks to me like u hav a oil pan gasket leak which u can fix ..gaskets arent that much either it should only take about a half hour to an hour to do! there also could be a bad rubber gasket on the oil filter itself but with the amount of oil shown it looks like a oil pan gasket !!!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kittedaccord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">it looks to me like u hav a oil pan gasket leak which u can fix ..gaskets arent that much either it should only take about a half hour to an hour to do! there also could be a bad rubber gasket on the oil filter itself but with the amount of oil shown it looks like a oil pan gasket !!!!</TD></TR></TABLE>

yep, i have the same issue, oil pan gasket for me... not enough to leak o nthe grounds, but just bothers me its there..

 

Another thing to check for leaks which I just had one on my 93 was that the oil pressure switch was leaking, apparently it just happens after a while and for 7.49 it was fixed but I had it leaking in the oddest of places due to the switch leaking, and for a bit I didn't know what it was. I thought it was those crappy new filters Honda is selling but it wasn't that. Just something else to check. On the 93 anyhow the switch is located just above the filter looks like a HUGE bolt but the threads on the switch itself are very small so be careful with putting a lot of force on that bolt.

 

i would go with an oil pan gasket. it's like $25 and is easy to do

 

oil pan gasket

 

Should I attempt to tighten all of the bolts first before replacing the gasket?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by srburk &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Should I attempt to tighten all of the bolts first before replacing the gasket?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

You could, but 10 bucks says even if they are "loose" your gasket is the barrier making the seal, allowing a small leak. If your bolts were loose you would notice more of a leak. Just replace the OPG and you will be

 

Nope, don't try to patch it like that. Just go get another gasket and replace it.

 

get some oil uv dye, it will glow under uv light and show u exactly where its leaking from

 

whoah there! oil pan gasket may be cheap, but I disagree its easy to change. Took me more than an hour, have to move a cross member if I remember right, and got way too dirty in the process. before doing that, get another new oil filter. I have gotten filters with bad gaskets before. It happens. Last time I just took it back to the shop and they changed it for free. No more leak. Shame to go to all the trouble of changing your pan gasket if you just got a bum filter gasket. The fact you had a drop on your filter tells the story - it can't jump there from your oil pan.

its difficult to change a Honda filter without getting oil on the manifold. it happens even to the most experienced. always makes a smell. normal. gone in a day or so.

 

Regarding the UV dye... I assume that I can get that from any parts store. How much do I use and how long should it take to find the leak. Do I pour it in and wait or do I pour it in and drive around for a while first?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by John Gordon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The fact you had a drop on your filter tells the story - it can't jump there from your oil pan.</TD></TR></TABLE>

First of all, there was a drop on my old filter as well. I put on a new filter and now have a similar drop. This is how it was explained to me... When I am driving, the wind can spray the filter with the oil that has leaked and it just slides to the bottom... gravity. So, maybe it CAN jump to the filter from the oil pan.

 

just add the dye and start your car so the oil swishes around and mixes the dye should cost liek 6 dollars for a pack of 2 1 oz bottles at kragen

 

Thanks to all for the input. I'm planning on getting the UV dye to determine that it is or is not my gasket. (crossing my fingers that this is all it is).

I'm still undecided as to whether or not I want to do this or take it to a mechanic. Most mechanics are telling me the total cost will be between $179 and $450. I don't have that money and don't care to run up my card anymore.

Can someone provide me with step by step instructions on changing or direct me to a site that can help me?

Would appreciate it!

 

bump

 

honestly since you have to pass by the auto store to pick up a gasket, use a extra 10$'s to purchase the haynes/chilton manual... has pictorial illustrations along with detailed info it helps alot on the long run...

 

GO with the Chiltons like Mike said. This is NOT a big deal, just a PITA and dirty kind of job. o not try to tighten the pan bolts either. People do this all the time and bent the gasket flange on the pan and then you will never get it tight!
Later,
Chiz