[claxtoncny]

Hello folks!

I bought this Accord with 70,000 mi, from family of the 1 owner, who had passed away. He kept records of all oil changes, tire rotations, trans fluid services - there were no major repairs. I noticed a small amount of oil residue near the corner of the splash guard but did not remove it to investigate further. It has never spotted my driveway/parking lot, and the engine oil and ATF levels never drop noticeably. I have monitored the power steering fluid as closely but it's not low. The car is still running and riding very nicely with no engine codes or lights. Transmission feels good, fluid was dirty but not containing any metals during recent drain/fill.

With 92,000 miles, I finally removed the splash guard to drain/fill the transmission fluid and discovered more oil and residue. Is my CV axel seal leaking? There is oil all around that area but I don't see any fluid coming out or accumulating at the connection. The power steering rack is leaking nearby, could it be the root cause of all this mess? Are the two seeping spots on the engine something to worry about immediately, or just monitor in case they get worse? See picks below, walking through what I found. What should I do?

First - This is where the oil was dripping onto the splash guard. Oil around the bottom of the transmission, directly above.

Next - Driver side oil/residue all around the CV axle to transmission connection, and the transmission filter/hose above. The filter/hose appear to be in good condition, just being sprayed with oil from below. The CV boot is intact and not leaking grease. It looks like the axle is flinging oil all around during rotation.

Next - Driver side oil/residue all around the power steering rack, could this be leaking onto the CV and being splattered around?

Next - Passenger side CV axle to transmission connection is clean, but oil/residue on the CV axle engine mount bracket/bearing.

Next - Passenger side oil/residue all around power steering rack/hose, could this be leaking on to the engine mount bracket/bearing?

Also - After inspecting all around the engine, as best I can with a mirror, there two seeping spots at the passenger side end (photo looking up from below).

I love this car and hope keep it going for 250k miles or more. Would greatly appreciate any wisdom you can spare!

Thanks,

Cody

 

[Hudouc]

Each picture from the top down. My take:
1: Transmission fluid leak
2: Bad axle seal (See 1)
3: Steering rack leak since the rack is a lot wetter than the surround area, so not likely splashing from axle seal
4: Bad intermediate shaft bearing(seal). A bit of seeping is okay, yours is excessive.
5: PS steering line leak. The clamp between the rubber line and the hard line could use just a bit of tightening, not a big deal
6: Two separate leaks, one from the VTC solenoid, one from the VTEC solenoid (maybe the oil pressure switch)

But if you don't see the actual seal area being wet, check what's on top. The redish color screams transmission fluid. Try looking down from the fuse box and see if you can see anything.

 

[claxtoncny]

Each picture from the top down. My take:
1: Transmission fluid leak
2: Bad axle seal (See 1)
3: Steering rack leak since the rack is a lot wetter than the surround area, so not likely splashing from axle seal
4: Bad intermediate shaft bearing(seal). A bit of seeping is okay, yours is excessive.
5: PS steering line leak. The clamp between the rubber line and the hard line could use just a bit of tightening, not a big deal
6: Two separate leaks, one from the VTC solenoid (maybe the oil pressure switch), one from the VTEC solenoid

But if you don't see the actual seal area being wet, check what's on top. The redish color screams transmission fluid. Try looking down from the fuse box and see if you can see anything.

Damn, all of the above aye? Never replaced a power steering rack before, I'll probably be taking this one to a shop. Thank you for breaking it down for me!

 

[a1smith]

Regarding PS leaks -> confirm by verifying drop in PS reservoir level. Also, in picture #3 it looks like there is another wet area near rack where oil may be getting slung on rack. See yellow marking in picture below.

 

[claxtoncny]

Regarding PS leaks -> confirm by verifying drop in PS reservoir level. Also, in picture #3 it looks like there is another wet area near rack where oil may be getting slung on rack. See yellow marking in picture below.

View attachment 552949

Yeah, that's over by the axle seal. Good eye. I'll keep an eye on the PS fluid.

Just ordered the VTC solenoid gasket and control valve seal, those look easy enough for me. I wouldn't mind doing the axles/seals in my driveway. The rack looks like a pain in the ass though, idk man lol.

 

[claxtoncny]

Each picture from the top down. My take:
1: Transmission fluid leak
2: Bad axle seal (See 1)
3: Steering rack leak since the rack is a lot wetter than the surround area, so not likely splashing from axle seal
4: Bad intermediate shaft bearing(seal). A bit of seeping is okay, yours is excessive.
5: PS steering line leak. The clamp between the rubber line and the hard line could use just a bit of tightening, not a big deal
6: Two separate leaks, one from the VTC solenoid, one from the VTEC solenoid (maybe the oil pressure switch)

But if you don't see the actual seal area being wet, check what's on top. The redish color screams transmission fluid. Try looking down from the fuse box and see if you can see anything.

Looking down from the fuse box - the hose looks pretty bad from that angle. Couldn't get a good photo. Think I'll do some degreasing and check out those connections. Good call thanks!