Need help with a 1999 4 cyl vtec that has 210k miles with oil leaking from somewhere just below the valve cover on drivers side. I replaced the valve cover gasket and its all dry. The oil is collecting on a small horizontal surface a few inches below the valve cover driver side rear corner. Just above where the oil is collecting I found a bolt that has oil on it which I think is part of the intake manifold but I'm not sure?

If it's the manifold gasket leaking is it difficult to remove the manifold? Are there any posts with instructions?

 

Pic's would be nice. But if I had to guess, which I have to do , sounds like the cam seal is leaking. You can pull the upper part of the timing belt cover and start the car and inspect.

 

Took a picture of the leak below.

I think you guessed right. I'll take the upper cover off over the weekend. I've been searching with a mirror for the leak. I did remove the cover last week when I replaced the valve cover gasket to try and find the leak but not with the engine running. With the cover off I thought there was oil leaking from some location close to the camshaft as you suggested. I couldn't pin point or figure it out with my limited experience.

Can the cam seals be replaced without removing the cam? I couldn't find any specifics in the Haynes manual. If cam has to come off then I'm venturing into another first. I did successfully adjust the valves for the first time a few weeks ago so I have some skills but from what I read, removing the cam is a lot of work and complex or am I wrong? Thanks again.

 

https://www.hondaaccordforum.com/for...1&d=1339712948

 

hmm ive been noticing more oil here than usual too... But it has slowed down.. maybe enough gunk clogged the leak.

 

tobytigger - One of two based upon that spot, seen it many times.

When you replaced the valve cover (vc) gasket, did you put a "dab" of silicone on the "cam hump" corners. This is where the flat part of the head meets the cam, that transistion is hard for just the gasket to seal and it is highly suggested to put a pit of gasket sealer in those spots, four in total.....I think you know where I'm talking about.

So what you can do is remove the vc to get the upper cover off, put the vc back on and start the car, look very close at the "cam hump" and the cam seal for where the oil is coming from.....heck you might get lucky and just add a bit of silicone to those corners/transitions and all is well.

 

just saying, the pic in post #4 doesn't look like a heavy leak to me. 210K?

this thread makes me feel bad about my '92 @ 206K ...

 

i am lmao! i like ur comment u made bout enough gunk slowing down ur leak! but honestly alot of these younger car owners dont realize that most of the fluid leaks that come about are fairly easy fixes!but like u said enough gunk will only slow the problem down,but if u do as i do?spray degreaser all around the engine an trans let it soak 30min.then rinse off w/water u will see where the leak is coming from!an if u are a mechanic like me then u kno how much easier it is to work on engines when they are clean rather then all gunked up!but thanks for the laugh!