Dear all,

I'm back with yet another problem in my 1996 Honda Accord EX A/T with 148,000 miles. The car is leaking very very minute amount of oil, one or two drops of oil can sometimes be seen on the road where it's parked. The leak seems to be from the drivers side, where the oil drips onto the engine shield and then ultimately on the ground. What do you guys think the problem could be?

Also can any one recommend an honest/reasonable mechanic in Boston, MA? Thank you

 

First check your valve cover for leakage. Also check oil pan for leaks.

Next check the oil pressure switch on rear side of engine, to the driver's side, near the oil filter. Sometimes they leak through the switch body. Fix is to replace switch.

If those are dry, suggest investigating whether oil is leaking from drain point (very bottom) of the lower timing belt cover (on driver's side of engine). If oil is draining from lower timing belt cover, then oil pump/rear balance shaft drive cover, camshaft seal, or front balance shaft seal. All of these could leak and drain to bottom of lower timing belt cover. Fixing any of these requires acccess, which involves timing belt removal. Normal timing belt maintenance perhaps should be advanced depending on how long since last timing belt service.

good luck