Oil leak on a 1993 Honda Accord

[Scot]

Car leaks oil when it’s running, but not when it’s off. I’m getting ready to do the timing belt on my car because it’s WAY past due and am wondering what seals are there to replace? Since I’m going to be in there I figured I’d replace them all rather than just whichever ones are leaking. I’ve already replaced the PCV valve and done the seals in these 2 pics:

#19

#1

I’ve checked the oil filter and there is no oil on top of it, which mean the pressure sender right above it is ok (known for going bad on this vintage of Honda). I’ve taken a few pics of the oil on the engine but am only going to post the following one with the oil drips on the cardboard just to give you an idea:

Oil drips

If you’d like to see the other pics then feel free to ask. But mainly just looking to replace all the seals but don’t know how many there are or what they are called. Thanks!

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[Scot]

Went out and messed with the valve cover again. Was mostly trying to clean the engine and had to take it off to get around it so I decided to take a look at it. One spot looked a bit pinched so I took the gasket out again. But while doing that I noticed (for the first time) that the gasket actually has nubs on it! So the sealant was unnecessary to hold it in place after all. I removed the old sealant all around the gasket, placed it in ONLY the corners then reinstalled it.

Now the bad news. While reassembling the valve cover and tightening everything up, I snapped one of the bolts (not surprising; anytime I touch this car I break something). Thinking quickly I applied the sealant all around where the now useless grommet went, and stuck two (2) washers on in its place, pretty much coating them in sealant. I waited for them to harden then put on a new nut. Fortunately it left enough thread for the nut to catch, but not enough to do any real tightening. Will try starting the car in a few hours when I KNOW everything has dried up and is ok, then will report back. In the meantime I’m looking to see if it’s possible to replace the broken bolt.

[Scot]

Checked on the car a couple hours ago. Still leaks oil but doesn’t seem to be as much, so I think the valve cover gasket was PART of the problem. Or maybe I didn’t put it on right once again. But don’t think that’s the case. The area around the broken bolt didn’t leak either. Took the car for a spin and everything seemed ok. But once I got home my oil light flashed for a split second. Checked the oil and still at the max level, so don’t know what that was about. Gonna try not to drive it too much until I get the bolt replaced cuz I don’t feel comfortable or safe driving it like this.

[Bubba]

Next I would look at oil pressure switch. It could be what caused light to flash. Normally it will leak oil faster under higher RPMS so if possible look at it with engine reved up (this switch is located center of engine above oil filer). I am not aware of honda having trouble with this switch but chevy its VERY common. Its very hard sometimes to see this part leak so look really good. Keep me informed. Good Luck

[Scot]

Forgot all about this thread. Sorry everybody. 😳 So here’s the update on my 93 Accord: Never did figure out the oil problem with it, despite my efforts. I put in a leak detection dye but couldn’t see anything even with the special glasses on (I must be blind). Ultimately I ended up selling the car for $400 and buying a new one for $1,000 because I invested about $1,300 (including tools) into it and only fixed half of the problems (got the car for free so kind of evens out). Bought a 2003 Ford Focus SOHC with 157,000 miles at the beginning of November which is an interesting car to say the least. It’s 1,200lbs lighter than my Honda so it doesn’t handle as well in snow and it has a manual transmission, which I’ve never driven before. Sold the Honda 1 month after I bought the Ford with 227,000 miles on it and discovered the high pressure fuel line had rotted out and broke after the new owner had already signed the bill of sale and was coming to get it. I felt bad about it so I helped get it fixed. 🙂 I know who has the vehicle and it MIGHT circle around in the future to a friend of mine. If it does and my friend ever figures out the issue then I’ll provide an update. Until then, thank you everyone for your help! I’m sorry I couldn’t bring finality to this thread and must leave everybody hanging. 🙁

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