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Hey guys. I posted on 3/24/12 that my rear oil seal was repaired by a “friend”, well that friend was Sam Swope Honda. I managed to get Honda Corp. involved, and they paid for the majority of the bill- big relief. As I said no more leaks. The dealership worked with me until I was happy, because it was such a hugh job and costly. Sorry I wasn’t more specific about this experience. Good luck to those who have a later model Pilot, with this problem.
Quoted From twiggy02919:
I don’t think it’s thinner if the synthetic you are using matched required spec for you car. Maybe synth oil is more slippery. My daily driver is a 2008 Honda Civic with 110,000 miles that I always used synthetic Mobile 1 or Penzoil 5w20 and I have no leaks. My other vehicle is a 2000 Toyota Sienna with 90k miles on it and I’ve been suing synthetic since I bought it 50,000 miles ago and again I have no leaks.
I think that if there are no issues with you car synth won’t leak. If it does leaks, I think eventually you will see the leak later with convent oil.
Since this problem caused so much discussion and wondering, along with the complexity of the job, I have had my doubts with synthetics causing this leak; however, I know the right thing to do is continue with the synthetic oil and move on. unbelievable turn of events with this car! Glad it’s OVER.
Quoted From EricTheCarGuy:
I wouldn’t say synthetic oil CAUSED the leak I suspect it just made it worse. I’ve seen time and time again in a situation where someone switches to synthetic oil that just about every seal on the engine starts to leak worse than it did before they used synthetic. In my opinion there is little benefit to synthetics other than the ability to extend your oil change intervals, remember that for the most part synthetics are blends of regular oil and synthetic anyway, it’s not often you will find a full synthetic oil.
I go 5,000 miles before oil changes, with the Honda, using synthetics, and I use Fram Tough Guard oil filters which get changed with the oil. Your right it extends the intervals.
Quoted From twiggy02919:
I would use synthetic if that’s what you want to use. I remember when I had my 2004 Pilot the owners manual specifically mentioned that synthetic oil could be used and I used it with no issues.
Valid point. I suppose I’m stuck on the issue of synthetic oils being thinner, especially since this engine showed a weak spot from the seal. “Shell shock” I guess. There was no damage noted at seal, so it was seeping around it. Strange.
Ok, great news!! It was the rear oil seal after all, and with the help of a friend, we changed it. Very good outcome. Thanks to all of you for your support and great insight. Now, do I go conventional or stay synthetic with the oil?
Quoted From Beefy:
I just want to point out that pissed isn’t censored, but cr@p is…
I didn’t know that.
Quoted From EricTheCarGuy:
I doubt you’d get anywhere with Honda unless you were getting your vehicle serviced there. That said if you’ve been using synthetic switch back to regular oil of the correct viscosity which I’m not sure if you run 5W30 or 5W20 in that one, heck it might be 0W20, check the oil cap to be sure what lubricant to use.
I’m shooting in dark going through Honda for help; just pissed that a 68,000 mile Pilot has this kind of problem, which could cost over $1200 to permanently fix; however, I will take your advise and change to conventional oil. Thanks and I will keep you guys informed .
Quoted From fitone:
I did a quick search of TSBs for a 2008 Pilot. Refer to this link http://www.automd.com/recall-tsb/search/?m=Honda&mm=Pilot&y=2008
None of these however were related to oil leaks. If Honda does not come through with a fix you might want to change back to conventional oil. Monitor your oil leak for at least two oil changes before you go to the time and trouble to repair it out of your pocket.Thanks for the link. Good source.
Quoted From Trcustoms719:
So i’m guessing it’s not under warranty still huh?
I would clean everything with brake cleaner and drive it for a day or two and check the same spot and see if it’s wet again.
If inside the bell housing is all wet with oil then it most likely needs a new rear main seal.
Good luck and please keep us posted.It’s out as out can be. I will make some noise to Honda and the dealership, to press the issue of this failure being so early and most expensive. Just to be a thorn in their side- get my satisfaction I guess.
You guys are the best!! I will try conventional oil before cracking it open, and thanks for the link.
Thanks for the inputs. I have been using synthetic for the 20,000 miles I’ve put on the pilot. I called Honda Corp with my issue, since it is out of warranty, and they gave me a case #, with instructions to visit the dealership for evaluation-of course no promises of help. My question to you is, is there a Service Bulletin out there for this problem that I might use as leverage? T)