Alright so I built this motor over winter and just finished the swap the other day. I take it for a drive today so I can check for leaks or anything like that. Once I came home I popped the hood and noticed some oil running down the id tag. From the looks of it the leak is at the corner of the head. The head was decked and a new gasket was used. Also arp headstuds tq down to 80ft-lbs
Here is a pic of what I'm talking about...

 

Look under the distributor cap and distributor. The look at the black exhaust cam seal behind the VTEC solenoid, and of course the VTEC solenoid.

If you did not replace the exhaust cam seal, VTEC gasket, and distributor O-ring, do so now.

Also inspect the distributor car for traces of oil.

 

The cam seal was replaced with one from golden eagle. Didn't replace distributor O ring or anything on the vtec solenoid. I can't see any traces of oil coming from anywhere else but I'll remove the cap and look tomorrow.

 

You said 80ft/lbs for the head bolts? Arent they like 90 or 95? Just curious.....

 

That is kinda irrelevent, there are no oil passages on that side of the block.

To the OP: I would clean it with brake cleaner and check all those areas again, just to rule out spilled oil when refilling.

 

Thanks for the info regarding torque specs

 

When using arp studs it's a 3 step tq sequence. 25-50-80 with their supplied moly lube.

I will look it over tomorrow before work in the sunlight. I know it's not spilled oil because I wiped it off once already and then took for a drive and it was back. My friend has the same problem with his motor also. So I'd like to figure it out so I can pass the info on to him also. Someone told him a bad head gasket but I don't think that's the problem. I used all new stuff.

 

I love how when techs look at leaks around the headgasket area they automatically assume headgasket. It couldn't possibly have come from higher up......

 

I looked over all areas mentioned and it's none of those. It seems to be starting right about where the edge of my turbo manifold is between the head and the block. Then running across to the recessed area on the edge of the head and going down across the id tag. Any other sugestions? Couldit be a head gasket?

 

^ true. I will always look higher up, say, valve cover seal? Cam seal? I wouls suspect the HG last..

 

vtec solenoid will leak that way

 

I'm using a new oem valve cover gasket. New golden eagle cam seal. I see no signs of oil under the vtec solenoid or distributor. I will pull the solenoid and put some 1104 on the backside and see what happens after that. Also grab a new O ring for the dizzy.

 

1104? silicone?
don't do that.

 

Do not use silicone on the VTEC gasket, it will eventually dry out due to oil dilution, tear, and possibly clog the oil passages.

I forgot to note the turbocharger, are you running supply off that copper end plug? or off the oil sender fitting?

 

1104 is a liquid type gasket maker very similiar to honda bond. I use it when sealing case halves for dirtbike motors. So it'll stand up to oil with no issues. Turbo feed is from the back of the block.

 

I went ahead and had my friend order me a new vtec solenoid gasket and distributor O ring today since he works for the Honda dealer. Might as well go ahead and eliminate those 2 things first since it's like a $15 fix.

 

there are 2 vtec gaskets. the one people call the solenoid gasket is actually the valve body to the head. there is a smaller gasket on top that is to the actual solenoid.
just sayin.. change both while you are doing it.

and make sure there is no oil coming from the bottom of the dist at the edge of where the cap meets the dist.

 

Yeah I just got the one that seals the solenoid to the head. The smaller one that goes between the top and bottom of the solenoid I didn't bother with. Dizzy is clean but it's a $1 O ring so I'll just replace it anyways.

 

Mine was the VTEC Solenoid Gasket...