[mm141]

My accord has been leaking oil for some time. Not a lot per se, but its about 4 drops every 12hrs. Normally I don't mind but since my work has a new garage and all my co workers have non oil leaking cars, its a bit embarrassing to be that guy with the leaking car.

My question is, what is most common oil leak for this generation? My engine bay is fairly dirty, so I'm taking the car to get the engine steamed if I can't pinpoint the leak... Also, I've notice the leak is coming somewhere above my transmission. I thought the leak might be my vtec solenoid, but I still find oil. Suggestions?

 

[chris918]

dizzy

 

[230kACCORD]

most common are, just gonna tell u straight up, on any honda valve gaskets go all the time.... so definitely valve gaskets with the spark plug O rings, the oil pan gasket (silicone if its the v6 model), and the rear main seal. other places less common but still has the chance to leak, head gasket, oil filter, the oil filter pipe gasket, vtec silonode, and the possibly the dip stick gasket.

 

[CDsDontBurn]

i4 or v6 engine? 230kAccord has pretty much stated the most common oil leak areas. Start with the VC gaskets. Oh, and also check your power steering pump as well. The gaskets on these are prone to failure over time and will give the impression that the car is leaking oil when it's not.

 

[txn]

check for leak from the distributor

 

[CDsDontBurn]

^^ Only true if OP has a 4cyl or a 98 / 99 v6. If OP has a 2000 - 2002 v6, there is no distributor.

 

[denierlexiese]

in 60,000 miles I have replaced the valve cover gasket twice. Definetely likes to leak there on my 99 v4 accord.

 

[CDsDontBurn]

^^ What gaskets are you getting? How tight are you tightening the VC? How did you install the gaskets?

The answers to these questions are important to know because the VC gaskets should last more than 30k miles (your average). They should last until they become hard and brittle.

 

[denierlexiese]

CDsDontBurn, is there a way to get the valve cover gaskets to last longer. I have been through two in the last 60,000 miles. The guy I bought the car of stripped one threads in the engine head. He then jerry rigged a new thread mechanmis through welling on some nuts. The valve cover likes to leak at that spot after 20,000 miles ish. I just retightend the bolt. Any ideas?

thanks!!!

 

[CDsDontBurn]

If that's the case, then I'd say that the head will need to be taken to a shop to have it be machined. Though, the best solution would probably be to have the head replaced entirely. A cheap one can probably be found at a junk yard from a wrecked car or something.

Like I said, the valve cover gaskets, even cheap aftermarket ones, can easily last 80k miles before they start showing signs of leaking.

 

[crmplex]

My accord has been leaking oil for some time. Not a lot per se, but its about 4 drops every 12hrs. Normally I don't mind but since my work has a new garage and all my co workers have non oil leaking cars, its a bit embarrassing to be that guy with the leaking car.

My question is, what is most common oil leak for this generation? My engine bay is fairly dirty, so I'm taking the car to get the engine steamed if I can't pinpoint the leak... Also, I've notice the leak is coming somewhere above my transmission. I thought the leak might be my vtec solenoid, but I still find oil. Suggestions?

whats your year/model? i can tell you what i consider common.

 

[CDsDontBurn]

^^ OP said in a later post it's a '99 i4. Though, ULEV or non-ULEV was not specified.

Either way, it's going to be some version of the F23 engine, right?

 

[denierlexiese]

CDsDontBurn, nothing i easy i can do to prevent leakage. For example with water I could put silicon grease on the grommet to keep water form leaking out? Anything equivalent for oil?

thanks!!!

 

[CDsDontBurn]

I'd say RTV Red and RTV Black. Can't guarantee it though.

 

[denierlexiese]

CDsDontBurn sounds good to me. I'll probably dab a little near my hack job bolt if I decide to go that route, before going all in with a new head. Youtube videos said don't go crazy with the RTV, but I might add a very small amount near cylinder 4, and hope it keeps the oil out.

 

[Jet sitter]

I've owned my 2000 Accord (2.3) since new. I now have 208K miles on it, the only two places that it has ever leaked oil was the oil pressure switch, which I replaced for $20.00 and 10 minutes of my time and the distributor "O" ring which I replaced for $1.00 from Autozone and 15 minutes of my time. No other leaks ever.

 

[mm141]

Found the leak. its my Rear main seal.

 

[Jet sitter]

If it's a manual, you should swap out the flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, and throw out bearing while your in there. You can purchase a clutch kit from rockauto. I just changed out my clutch and replaced the rear seal, even though it wasn't leaking. Car should be good for another 200k miles.