So after replacing the oil pressure switch and distributor o-ring
i still have a very consistent oil leak. It makes its way down to
the bottom of the belt cover and drips off of that and onto the
ground directly below the belts. I'm pretty sure it's not coming
all the way down from the valve cover as I can't witness a leak
there. I've attached a photo of the point where it drips, i know
this may be useless because it could be coming from higher up,
but the photos are just in case someone has seen this same drip
pattern/location. Based on the location and what I've read on this
forum it seems the camshaft seal or the crankshaft seal are two likely
culprits, ...based on the oil gathered near the base of the upper timing
cover i'm thinking camshaft seal, is there a way to really check this,
i.e., can i remove the upper timing cover easily to verify the leak?




[IMG]local://upfiles/15185/A0757D7BB3504F9DB75ED89DDBD61A99.jpg[/IMG]

 

The upper cover is easy. Remove the valve cover then the upper timing belt cover. I think that there is a DIY writeup about the cam seal. You might want to check that out. Also if the timing belt is soaked in oil, then I would suggest changing it. Oil will drastically reduce the belt life and you don't want that thing to snap.

 

After removing the valve cover and looking at the top of the timing belt I now
see that it is completely dry. I'm assuming if either the cam seal or crankshaft seal
were causing the leak that the timing belt would be coated in oil. So in the case of
my leak that ends up dripping under the belts i'm guessing it's happening somewhere
at the valve cover where i can't see it, or maybe i just have a bad oil pan gasket
that pools and always drips on the left side. Any thoughts on this theory?

 

Any resolution to this leak? I have a '90 accord with the exact same leak. Mine seems to be coming from even higher up, but always from the backside of the engine. I can see oil on the intake manifold bolt in the middle. Any chance of oil coming from that high up??

Thanks,
Fax

PS I have already done the timing cover so I too don't think it is from there. I also get oil dripping off of the oil filter, but that and the oil under the belts I think is just run off from higher up.

 

I would start a new post if this doesn't answer your question, because there were several leaks that were mentioned by the original poster.

If you are getting oil on the bolt that hold intake manifold on to the cylinder head, then the leak has to be at that level or higher.

I would suggest to inspect the back part valve cover, because that is about the only thing that could leak oil that far up on the engine. If you get oil in the spark plug tubes, you can change out those gaskets on top of the valve cover when you are doing the lower valve cover seal.

I would also check for oil stains from underneath the distributor and the oil pressure sending unit, because those are the usual suspects for oil leaks.

Good Luck.

 

I think I've got it. I wiped the whole back of the engine down with a rag so there was no fluid oil anywhere. I had to get the engine running and crawl back under, there was a slow drip from where the wires come out of the sender unit. I'll order one tomorrow and let u all know if that kills the leak. If it does I'll be kicking myself because I have had this leak for a year or more, for a $15 part.