Update on crank bearing replacement!!! 4,000 miles later, engine had MASSIVE oil leak from front of engine. It was the front balance shaft seal; it fell out. Lucky I noticed leak a few blocks from home and shut engine off before oil level got too low. Bought new seal today and there is a service mod "oil kit" Honda part # 06923-P0A-306. $4.39 US. It is a seal support bracket that bolts on to the front of engine and prevents seal from falling out, which according to Honda mechanic was rather common on these engines. This would be a good thing to do if not already done ANYTIME timing belts, water pump, etc. are changed. If I had known about it, it sure would have saved me some trouble! I've seen utube video on changing belts, a good section in this forum on how to properly set up and grease tensioners (which, BTW, neither Haynes nor the factory Honda manual even MENTION!), but had not seen any mention of this very important service mod.

Happy motoring!

 

I remember seeing a lot of threads about those seal retainers. It was a Honda recall campaign back when. Seems like DesertHonda always mentions them when he answers something about timing belt jobs.

Not sure what year, but the newer F-series engines beginning in 199??? don't need that. Did you happen to take a photo of the seal retainer? Post that into the old threads of timing-belt jobs.

 

1990 to 2002 4 cyl engine I reccommend installing the retainer if there is not one already installed