Hey guys,

so I have a leaking spool valve gasket. I yesterday replaced both gaskets on the spool valve, then found it to still leak. I then hondabonded the gaskets, and let it cure overnight. Today I found it to leaking again, just a little less. Previously, it was leaking profusely. I then tightened the bolts, but am afraid to over tighten and break the bolts. Any recommendations? This photo is from me driving at highway speeds for 15 minutes. It is not leaking nearly as much.

 

I'm not sure I fully understand with the V6, but here goes...

When you change the spool valve gaskets, do you unbolt the part above the dipstick tube or below it? And can you rule out the oil leaking around the dipstick tube?

 

you unbolt the portion above the dipstick, the three bolts

the leak doesn’t come from the stick, it’s definitely the spool valve

 

Sorry for the old thread reply but did you end up finding a solution? I’ve been in a dealing with a similar situation with my ‘12 V6 for a few months, it’s been “fixed” a couple times but never stays dry for more than a couple drives.

 

what did you do to fix it?

I did end up finally fixing the issue. I purchased an entire spool valve but replaced the top half that you can easily replace from the top of the motor. Look at the red line I drew through the spool valve. Take that top half and replace your old one with that, toss the bottom half because you need to open up the motor to replace the entire thing. Do NOT over torque, ask me how I know. But this is what I did and it fixed the issue for good.

 

Thank you for the reply,

Back in March the leak was more extensive so I took it to a shop in my area and I had the PCV valve, and both front and RR valve covers replaced. (had to replace all spark plugs as they were soaked in oil) After all that, the leak persisted so I took it back and they replaced the top half of the VVT solenoid (like you suggested) but even after that the leak persisted so I took it back and they replaced the entire solenoid bank and it was dry for a few days but the leak came back.

The shop essentially has given up and is saying that it’s just “gonna have a slight leak” but I refuse to believe it can’t be fixed.

before VVT solenoid was replaced:

 

thats really strange. I had this issue for years until I finally narrowed it down to the VVT solenoid. I replaced it myself, but when I had the motor completely dry on the outside and I sat and watched the leak form when it was idling, it looked like it came from the dipstick on the solenoid. It leaked so much onto my motor and on my alternator that i had to replace my alternator twice. Where do you notice your leak starting from? Sounds weird that after ALL of that your motor is still leaking.

 

It is very strange and even the shop has been stumped by this case. As of now it only appears that it’s leaking oil just below the dipstick. I’ve replaced the dipstick as well as I’ve seen forum posts suggesting the o-rings on the dipstick are a potential issue. I have yet to disable my VCM but I’ve purchased the VCMtuner II and am holding out hope the reduction of vibrations could be a potential solution?

 

I'd clean up that area as best you can, then spray athlete's foot powder on that area. Start the car and look for the source of the leak. The oil pooling near the dipstick could be originating from above. Once you have a better idea of the leak source, then you can figure out the next step.

When the shop replaced the spool valve, did they use a new Honda part?

 

id do what he recommends, clean then identify the source of the leak. If it’s ONLY coming from the solenoid I’d just buy my own part and do it yourself. Have you consulted another shop? Just sucks to dump money into it. I got a genuine Honda VVT solenoid