Need to start a new thread... 1998 Honda Accord LX 4 cyl. 190,000 miles

I have to add about 3/4 qrt of oil every month. I replaced the gasket on the valve cover. This helped about 10%. There is oil dripping on the driveway at night. I am guessing 5 drops each night, and maybe 15 drops a day while driving. I would like to replace the oil pan gasket. (note; about 4 years ago I had the timing belt and water pump replaced. The shop replace 3 "seals" while in that portion of the engine. I am assuming it was oil seals.)

So my question is this. Is the pan gasket hard to replace? I see you have to disconnect the exhaust pipe. I do work on cars ( brakes, alts, starters, etc...) but never an exhaust pipe. I assume i can just cut the 3 bolts on the flange and the pipe will drop, then remove the engine stiffener, then take off the oil pan.

Now is the "gasket" in the oil pan the same kind as the valve cover "gasket" something like an RTV?

Any other advice?

 

I think the 1998 4-cyl didn't use a pan gasket. Machined surfaces of block and aluminum pan, sealed with "HondaBond" which seems exactly the same as Permatex "Ultra-Grey" sealant.

 

Have you checked for oil leaking past distributor end seal (distributor face to head) or oil leaking past internal distributor shaft seal?

Any oil dripping from lower timing belt cover? There is a rear balance shaft cover seal that is notorious for leaking.

Oil pressure switch is also a component w/ regular history of leaks (through central body).

If oil pan is definitely leaking, it's worth doing and not too bad a job. There is a tricky part w/ the flywheel cover that requires removing the shift cable mount. I don't remember the details, but it becomes apparent as you get into the job.

good luck

 

+1 on the oil pressure sensor. I've replaced this on two Accords that were serious leaks as you describe. Its an easy job and not much $$$. Just do an oil change and while the oil filter is off replace the sensor that is right above it.

 

There is a VERY tiny leak on the distributor side, my guess is 1 drop a day. The oil pan underneath is rather covered in oil and maybe 1/2 of it on the driver side. What i really want to know is I am getting mixed messages about the "Gasket". If I disconnect the exhaust pipe and lower it, I guess I remove the engine stiffener, then I can remove the oil pan. Am I going to see the "gasket" as an RTV similar to the valve cover? Or is it something else?

 

Shop manual shows an RTV liquid-installed gasket. It also indicates a seal cutter tool is necessary to break bond between block-seal strip-pan.

I checked and Rockauto shows several oil pan gaskets including Fel-Pro which is a quality part. This will simply resealing as the RTV installation is complex.

good luck