Accord 1996 LX : Oil leak on the ground
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 16,331
From: Houston, TX
To change any seal back there, you will be doing the timing belt replacement procedure, because the belt has to come off to get to those seals.
There are a few items that I would check before diving into this.
The seal retainer was part of a recall for certain accords (1990-2002, I think). You may want to call your dealership, give them your VIN, and verify that your car had the recall done. If not, the dealership should install one for you. Play dumb and say that you saw oil leaking from the timing belt area, and ask if they could determine the source.
For DIY, remove the valve cover and the upper timing belt cover. Check to see if the timing belt is covered with oil. If yes, then the timing belt needs replaced, as oil will weaken the belt.
Look at the cam pulley and see if there is oil leaking there. Shine a flashlight to inspect the two balance shafts and the crank shaft. The front balance shaft should have a u-shaped retainer installed. You need some Hondabond (RTV grey) to reinstall the valve cover, so get that before hand. I linked a video that shows how to install the valve cover towards the end of the video.
I attached a pdf of the timing belt procedure. You can get an idea of the seal locations for the crank and balance shafts. The retainer for the front balance shaft is shown as well. There may be a different style one installed on your car.
There is a lot of info here, but I hope it helps.
There are a few items that I would check before diving into this.
The seal retainer was part of a recall for certain accords (1990-2002, I think). You may want to call your dealership, give them your VIN, and verify that your car had the recall done. If not, the dealership should install one for you. Play dumb and say that you saw oil leaking from the timing belt area, and ask if they could determine the source.
For DIY, remove the valve cover and the upper timing belt cover. Check to see if the timing belt is covered with oil. If yes, then the timing belt needs replaced, as oil will weaken the belt.
Look at the cam pulley and see if there is oil leaking there. Shine a flashlight to inspect the two balance shafts and the crank shaft. The front balance shaft should have a u-shaped retainer installed. You need some Hondabond (RTV grey) to reinstall the valve cover, so get that before hand. I linked a video that shows how to install the valve cover towards the end of the video.
I attached a pdf of the timing belt procedure. You can get an idea of the seal locations for the crank and balance shafts. The retainer for the front balance shaft is shown as well. There may be a different style one installed on your car.
There is a lot of info here, but I hope it helps.
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 48
To change any seal back there, you will be doing the timing belt replacement procedure, because the belt has to come off to get to those seals.
There are a few items that I would check before diving into this.
The seal retainer was part of a recall for certain accords (1990-2002, I think). You may want to call your dealership, give them your VIN, and verify that your car had the recall done. If not, the dealership should install one for you. Play dumb and say that you saw oil leaking from the timing belt area, and ask if they could determine the source.
For DIY, remove the valve cover and the upper timing belt cover. Check to see if the timing belt is covered with oil. If yes, then the timing belt needs replaced, as oil will weaken the belt.
Look at the cam pulley and see if there is oil leaking there. Shine a flashlight to inspect the two balance shafts and the crank shaft. The front balance shaft should have a u-shaped retainer installed. You need some Hondabond (RTV grey) to reinstall the valve cover, so get that before hand. I linked a video that shows how to install the valve cover towards the end of the video.
I attached a pdf of the timing belt procedure. You can get an idea of the seal locations for the crank and balance shafts. The retainer for the front balance shaft is shown as well. There may be a different style one installed on your car.
There is a lot of info here, but I hope it helps.
There are a few items that I would check before diving into this.
The seal retainer was part of a recall for certain accords (1990-2002, I think). You may want to call your dealership, give them your VIN, and verify that your car had the recall done. If not, the dealership should install one for you. Play dumb and say that you saw oil leaking from the timing belt area, and ask if they could determine the source.
For DIY, remove the valve cover and the upper timing belt cover. Check to see if the timing belt is covered with oil. If yes, then the timing belt needs replaced, as oil will weaken the belt.
Look at the cam pulley and see if there is oil leaking there. Shine a flashlight to inspect the two balance shafts and the crank shaft. The front balance shaft should have a u-shaped retainer installed. You need some Hondabond (RTV grey) to reinstall the valve cover, so get that before hand. I linked a video that shows how to install the valve cover towards the end of the video.
I attached a pdf of the timing belt procedure. You can get an idea of the seal locations for the crank and balance shafts. The retainer for the front balance shaft is shown as well. There may be a different style one installed on your car.
There is a lot of info here, but I hope it helps.
Hi PA,
Thanks for all your information.
I am going to call my honda dealer and check if the retainer has been installed.
I browse the net and it seems there was a recall period (2001 or 2002 )so the dealer may want me to pay for the installation of the retainer since I am out of the preriod.
I wont be able to do this myself, the work is way too complex for my skills !!
So ill check how much the dealer or my mechanic will charge me to do that.
Since it involved removing the cover, belt etc , it may be better to change everything at the same time : timing belt, oil pump, water pump, all the belt and all the seals ??
If I decide to not repair it, how safe it is to drive with that leak (just 1-2 drops on the ground every couple week and no oil puddle) .
Can the seal break suddenly and break the engine ??
Thanks
Super Moderator
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 16,331
From: Houston, TX
If you are paying someone to fix this, then I'd have the belt and water pump replaced.
The only seal I read about popping out is the front balance shaft seal, so the retainer should take care of that. The leaking seal will probably get worse over time, but it could take a while to get there.
You want to verify the belt is not soaked with oil. If the belt is dry, then you can probably keep a close eye on the oil and add oil when necessary.
Your course of action depends on what seal is leaking. The right way to fix this is to replace the leaking seal. If you need to wait, keeping the oil to the proper level is the most important step.
The only seal I read about popping out is the front balance shaft seal, so the retainer should take care of that. The leaking seal will probably get worse over time, but it could take a while to get there.
You want to verify the belt is not soaked with oil. If the belt is dry, then you can probably keep a close eye on the oil and add oil when necessary.
Your course of action depends on what seal is leaking. The right way to fix this is to replace the leaking seal. If you need to wait, keeping the oil to the proper level is the most important step.
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