My 2000 EX 2.3 has a slight front seal leak. Just checked today and it seems that it's leaking about a 1/2 quart every 1K miles. No drops under the car, just leaking while running. I'm planning a 2300 mile trip in a month, should I be concerned that the seal will completely fail and I'll lose all the oil?

 

Usually if they are going to "pop out", they do. So if it is a slow small leak only when running, I don't think it will pop out....however you know it isn't going to get better.

Hard call.....if you can't take care of it before the trip, #1 suggestion.

Then (#2), be sure to bring ~ 4 qts of oil on your trip and check if OFTEN. Top it off before you leave. Every time you stop for gas (3~4 hundred miles ?), top it off again. If at anytime the oil light comes on, pull over and stop the engine ASAP.

You know the seal needs to be replaced, so while doing that do the whole job - timing belt, WP, tensioners, crank and cam seals and think about the oil pump o-ring.

Good luck.

 

You're right, I should just take it in and get it fixed along with the TC and WP. If I should have a failure on the trip, it will be much more costly. Thanks for your response, I'm definitely not going to take any chances.