Where is this coming from?!?!
 

Hey guys.

I have a 96 LX auto 4 door with a little leak I beileve. The trans went out in the car and then I had the car towed back to my place. After sitting for a few days, I look under the car and see a little fluid. I come to look at it some more and its either brake, P/S or oil...Anyways, I traced it back up to the car, and noticed that it seems oil had accumulated on the splash guard and then fell from the ground. However, this oil on the splash guard may have accumulated from before (Previous owner had a major oil leak). So could the fluid be coming from that? The oil pan? It also looked close to some pulleys. The leak is on the drivers side and again is running of from the splash guard. Pics attached

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/v.../IMG_10521.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/v.../IMG_10671.jpg

I was thinking maybe a cam seal or timing chain gasket?

It's probably fresh, but first step is determining oil, ATF, or PS fluid. From that position (driver's side wheel well?) , only Oil or PS fluid are likely.

The rear balance shaft cover oring is a notorious leaker on these cars. It will drain from lower timing belt cover at bottom. It could also be a leaking camshaft seal, forward balance shaft seal, or crankshaft seal, but these are much less likely than the rear balance shaft cover oring.

good luck

Hey TexasHonda,

It is definitely oil. What do you think is a fair price to have that part replaced?

It will be fairly expensive, because they pretty much have to remove the timing belt. Is your timing belt due for a replacement soon?

Well Im not sure about the timing belt being due since I bought the car at 110k and now it has 112k....And I also have to get a trans redone for $800...What kind of price can I expect for it though?

Replacing the rear balance shaft cover oring requires everything that timing belt (TB) replacement does, so TB should be done at same time. You should replace the TB tensioner assy also due to age. Oring gasket is cheap part, but usually can get the TB replacement for $400-$600 w/ parts.

If you don't know status of TB, it needs to be replaced. Probably why former owner decided to sell, rather than perform this expensive maintenance.

good luck