[Alijah913]

I've already replaced both VTEC Solenoid gasket and o-ring gasket @ 150k miles. I'm now at 151,5xx miles and my dip stick is right between the full and low dot level. I topped it off at work with Valvoline Full Synthetic 5W-20 (I was running originally Castrol Edge Full Synthetic *NON HIGH MILEAGE* 5W-20). I saw in another thread someone's leaks looked just like my did. So I before I used brake cleaner to clean as much as I can up I took pictures in various places. In my opinion I think this is a head gasket leak but I don't what else is could be if it's leaking like that and it's only on the passenger side. Here are various photos I took. If you need anymore information feel free to ask.

Back of the head above the exhaust manifold

https://vimeo.com/195198526


2006 Honda Accord 2.4L 5SPD MT 150k

 

[Drew03Accord]

Head gasket leaks coolant. That was my thread you saw, I think. Sure looks like VTec, but you said you replaced the gasket. Have you checked the valve cover gasket near firewall? Also, there is an oil pressure switch on the VTec solenoid. Wonder if that could be leaking.

 

[chris918]

Vtec gasket is cheap. try it again. Doesn't look like the valve cover is leaking that much, and that's the only other thing

 

[Alijah913]

Head gasket leaks coolant. That was my thread you saw, I think. Sure looks like VTec, but you said you replaced the gasket. Have you checked the valve cover gasket near firewall? Also, there is an oil pressure switch on the VTec solenoid. Wonder if that could be leaking.

Here's the back of the head

Has some build up on the back and front of the head, I wouldn't be surprised if it needed to be replaced at the mileage it's at. I don't think it would hurt to maybe try a head gasket replacement maybe.

Here's the front of the head

There's some build up on both sides :/



2006 Honda Accord 2.4L 5SPD MT 150k

 

[Alijah913]

Vtec gasket is cheap. try it again. Doesn't look like the valve cover is leaking that much, and that's the only other thing

When I replaced it the Honda dealer said I should've used bondo to make a seal. Idk about that? Head gasket is my only option as far I know


2006 Honda Accord 2.4L 5SPD MT 150k

 

[RickBlaine]

When I replaced it the Honda dealer said I should've used bondo to make a seal. Idk about that? Head gasket is my only option as far I know


2006 Honda Accord 2.4L 5SPD MT 150k

"bondo", or Hondabond?

Why are you posting your photos twice?

 

[Alijah913]

"bondo", or Hondabond?

Why are you posting your photos twice?

The service manager specifically said "We usually use Bondo when we replace those gaskets". I posted it twice to justify the condition of the area of the valve cover area.


2006 Honda Accord 2.4L 5SPD MT 150k

 

[mclasser]

Head gasket is my only option as far I know

No, just no. Take it down a notch.

Your VCG is obviously suspect here. If you don't put a few dabs of HondaBond/RTV around the half moons of the gasket, you get oil leaks like you have know. Fix that and I betcha no more leaks.

 

[Alijah913]

No, just no. Take it down a notch.



You said you didn't use RTV/HondaBond, which sounds like the problem. If you don't put a few dabs around the half moons of the gasket, you get oil leaks like you have know.

Okay sounds reasonable, I'm assuming I could just buy the Hondabond at the dealer.


2006 Honda Accord 2.4L 5SPD MT 150k

 

[mclasser]

Okay sounds reasonable, I'm assuming I could just buy the Hondabond at the dealer.


2006 Honda Accord 2.4L 5SPD MT 150k

Black RTV from Wally World does the same thing. Only use an OEM Honda VCG, thoroughly clean where the gasket sits with brake cleaner and torque all the bolts in sequence (yep, get/borrow a torque wrench).

 

[demonics12]

Valve cover gasket, timing chain tensioner cover reseal, CAS gasket.

Less than $50 in parts.

THEN give the engine a good bath and see if it's leaking elsewhere. Your pan may also be leaking.

I did the above replacements, plus the vtec gaskets, and my car is leak free, and uses no oil.

 

[Alijah913]

No, just no. Take it down a notch.

Your VCG is obviously suspect here. If you don't put a few dabs of HondaBond/RTV around the half moons of the gasket, you get oil leaks like you have know. Fix that and I betcha no more leaks.

Alright so I should go ahead and do a valve cover gasket replacement and apply the Hondabondo at the corners? Also should I apply the hondabondo on the VTEC solenoid also since I have it?


2006 Honda Accord 2.4L 5SPD MT 150k

 

[Drew03Accord]

I think you confuse "head" with valve cover. And yes, you do need some RTV in the corners, half moon seals, etc. In truth though, while it seems to be sweating a bit around the valve cover, I don't see an outright leak. If you do decide to replace it, Felpro gasket is fine.

The Vtec solenoid doesn't need RTV. I wouldn't put any there. Just make sure the area is clean and torque it properly. Don't go stripping anything back there, like someone we know. LOL

 

[t-rd]

Your picture is showing the valve cover gasket leaking.

That's not the head gasket. The head gasket is sandwiched between the cylinder head and the block blow.

And it would be Hondabond not bondo. Bondo is used for body repair.

 

[Alijah913]

Thanks everyone for the input


2006 Honda Accord 2.4L 5SPD MT 150k

 

[Alijah913]

Valve cover gasket, timing chain tensioner cover reseal, CAS gasket.

Less than $50 in parts.

THEN give the engine a good bath and see if it's leaking elsewhere. Your pan may also be leaking.

I did the above replacements, plus the vtec gaskets, and my car is leak free, and uses no oil.

Well it looks like the timing cover seal needs to be done again. I've replaced the Valve Cover Gasket and there still oil leaking. Only from one side of the engine though, passenger side

I wanna know if I can do that job myself as I do everything on my car myself and what would I need and is there instructions I can follow ? Thanks for your input


2006 Honda Accord 2.4L 5SPD MT 150k

 

[chris918]

To change the timing chain cover seal? Shouldn't be that bad

 

[Alijah913]

To change the timing chain cover seal? Shouldn't be that bad

I can't find anything on it or what exactly I'm even looking for lol [emoji854]


2006 Honda Accord 2.4L 5SPD MT 150k

 

[demonics12]

Well it looks like the timing cover seal needs to be done again. I've replaced the Valve Cover Gasket and there still oil leaking. Only from one side of the engine though, passenger side

I wanna know if I can do that job myself as I do everything on my car myself and what would I need and is there instructions I can follow ? Thanks for your input


2006 Honda Accord 2.4L 5SPD MT 150k

The timing chain tensioner cover is sealed with Hondabond, no gasket, the cas is just an o-ring.

You should have no issue if you are decently mechanically inclined. Removing that crank pulley is going to be a pain though.

 

[forindooruse]

If you recently changed the VTC solenoid and just used a gasket with no RTV/Hondabond, it's almost certainly that. I have experience with that situation. When I put the cover back on, I was very frugal with the RTV and it leaked immediately in the same place as yours. I had to redo it to stop the leak, using much more RTV, which fixed my leak.

I would remove that cover, clean the mating edges, use plenty of RTV and reseal it.