I have a 1998 Honda Accord LX auto trans 4 cyl. 180,000 miles

It is in the shop for a transmission repair. I asked them to find an oil leak that I thought was coming from the crankshaft seal. But they said it is coming from behind the timing cover. They want $350 to remove and check which seal is leaking. Then depending on which seal it is, then the price goes up from there.

I am comfortable pulling the timing cover off myself, but I will not touch the timing belt! What seals are behind there and are any of them easy to replace?

I am somewhat of a handy man and can replace alts, radiators, brakes, starters, etc... If I have to release the timing belt to replace the seals, then I don't want to do that and best to let them do that. The leak isn't too bad, but I assume it will only get worse over time. I have to add about a quart per month.

Any advice?

 

ok I just got more information... they said if it is just the crankshaft seal, then its $350, plus the seal cost. If the seal of the oil pump is leaking then its another $500. What are the chances of it being the oil pump seal leaking?

 

When is the last time you had the belt done? The best thing to do is just have all the seals done and water pump and timing belts..unless just done.
This engine actually has a lot of seals under the cover. Front crank seal, cam seal, rear balance shaft oring, and a front balance shaft seal-these are common to come out and Honda actually sells a retainer to hold it in. Pic below shows most stuff, if you have a manual and are handy I think you can do it, however this engine does actually have 2 belts that need to be timed, so it is a little harder..
EDIT: just saw you said you don't want to do it if you have to release the T-Belt, yes you do-for every seal.

 

Rear balance shaft cover is a likely source of leak. It has an oring gasket that hardens w/ age. Balance shaft belt has to be removed. Cover has a gear that must be correctly engaged to rear balance shaft.

Just getting the lower timing belt cover off is a challenge. Driver's side engine motor mount must be removed. Not a first timer job IMO.

good luck

 

OK, thanks for all the input. I decided to stop by Honda and get a quote from them. They said $550 to change the timing belt and all seals. But not the water pump, since it was done 4 years ago and has about 30,000 miles on it. Does that sounds reasonable? At least that's much better than the quote from the other place!

 

The tensioner parts may never have been replaced and should be. Water pump should be OK.

good luck

 

Well got the car back and P1706 code came on after 2 days. It is back for warranty repair on the rebuilt tranmission. But funny thing... no oil leak now! They did not do anything under the timing cover or the crankshaft seal. so the leak may have been the transmission, but I have not added any fluid for 3 years... Guess that means the oil is being burned and not much I can do about it?

 

Check out Scotty Kilmer YouTube video on oil leaks. He suggests adding AT-205 Re Seal to your engine oil. It is a polymer that mixes with engine oil, transmission oil and it regenerates the seals from the inside. In my experience you can only find AT-205 on Amazon. It only costs about $12, and it fixed the leaks coming from my 2000 Accord SE around the distributor and the solenoid gasket that had been leaking for years.