jdawgzcivic

Hi there!
I'm a newbie to this site.
I have a Honda Civic 2001 LX Sedan Automatic
It has about 103,300 miles now and will be 10 years old on May.
For the past month, it started leaking like little oil drops.
It's not coming from the oil filter or that screw when you release the oil.
It seems to be coming out from the side little by litte.
Is this something serious?
I'm afraid to take it to a dealer and I know they'll charge me an arm and a a leg for it. I would like to find out if this is normal wear/tear for a 10 year old car?
Also, what else is involved in changing the timing belt? Are there other parts that I need to be aware of before they "rob" me. (The dealership)

I appreciate any suggestions and comments.

Thanks!

Jdawgzcivic!

lollygagger

Usually they change out the water pump as well and that whole job, for me at least, is gonna run about $600. As far as the oil goes, could you narrow the spot down? I was gonna suggest the oil filter but you already determined it wasn't that. The only thing I can suggest for that is make sure the old gasket is off with the old filter and not still on the engine, and make sure the gasket goes back onto the drain plug when that's removed.

ubnpast

iTrader: (4)

Where do you live?

jdawgzcivic

I appreciate your reply... I was orginally from Queens, NY! HUGE KNICKS FAN!!!
We gotta get 'MELO!

I'm in Tampa, FL. now.
I'm not to good with the more advanced stuff on cars.
I've noticed the oil dripping like little by little on the side and not from the oil filter and the screw where you remove it to drain out the oil.

Are there any other belts that must be changed besides the timing belt? So, gotta change the water pump too? I appreciate your help....

Thanks!

JDagwz

MartinL

Well on my 91 civic to get at the belt they have to take off the water pump..and you might as well pay the 60 for part or whatever it is and have it changed then have to pay another hour or some of labour and part if it does crap out. just a kill two birds with one stone scenario

lollygagger

Hmm the only thing I'm thinking is a bad oil pan seal. I don't think this would just happen though, something needed to affect that site. Then again you never really know with these things. I'd recommend cleaning the entire area down, running it for a few days and seeing where the oil leaks from.

Also, you really think we need another forward?? Granted we'd be dropping Chandler who I like. But I think we need mre depth as opposed to another star. Then again I'm not really opposed to forming a new 3. Stoud, Melo, Paul!

jdawgzcivic

It won't hurt... I also like Chandler and we can give up Danilla Galinari and keep Chandler...

Can I use that stuff like ENGINE DEGREASER and spray it and water hose it down?
And we will see where it' s coming from? Thanks again...

lollygagger

I like both! and Felton! can't decide. I'd give up Curry no problem. And I wish I could see more time for Mason Jr.

The degreaser shouldn't be an issue. use that or Simple Green. Also, do you notice a significant loss of oil??

jdawgzcivic

Not a lot of oil... just like drip on the bottom frame body Hope that helps...
It's like on the right side of the engine but can't quite see. I'll try to clean and wash it out using the degreaser.

What is Simple Green? Is that a different brand of degreaser?

Eddie Curry is a bu$t... He's like Kwame Brown in an Oliver Miller body. Both $uck$!

I agree, Mason Jr. gotta play more time...

Thanks again...

krazyfeud04

I have the exact same problem with my EX. 2001 also. I took it to get tires balanced/rotated and they told me its by the oil pan. its not the filter either. i get drops on the left & right side i was asking questions but the dick of a manager was like

lollygagger

Simple Green is like an everything-friendly cleaner. Pretty much found anywhere cleaners are sold. LX doesn't have VTEC so it can't be the solenoid. Could be a head gasket. Hopefully not. I'm not too sure what else it could be. Maybe some other members have inputs?

What about Greg Oden?

BobDobolina

Viewed from the front, right side could be a crankshaft seal. from the left or center could be the rear main seal..those are the worst case scenarios. does it drip constantly or only after driving, while still warm?
Id say like somebody already did, clean the area with whatever. simple green is for tree huggers i use the red can brake cleaner or just any soap.
Then check it again. and post a pic of it! THAT would help alot to pinpoint the possible culprit.

jdawgzcivic

Ok... Thanks... From the front view, it's dripping form the right side. I notice it every morning I pull out of the garage. It like it drips overnight like 5-7 drops. I'm just worried it might be something serious... Thanks again!

jdawgzcivic

Greg Oden? C'mon man!
LeBron "look-a-like"!
He look old, too old for somebody too be in the 20's.. LOL!
Should I get the following done at one shot with the following:
Drive Belt
Timing Belt
Spart Plugs
Water pump?

Thanks again!

jdawgzcivic

Krazyfeud04,

How did it work out on your end? Did you get charge a lot? $$$$$
What was the problem? Did they fix it?
How is your car running today?
Thanks!

krazyfeud04

Dammmmm....I think that's my situation. Drips roughly 15 if parked all day. I'm also gona clean it and post some pics. I was told to fix this the motor has to be taken out? It has 110k so I'm looking for engine swaps rather then repair. It's my project car too

link7

You don't have to take the motor out to replace the crankshaft seal. You can do it when replacing the timing belt. At least one of the motor mounts get removed during the timing belt replacement but the engine doesn't come out, just supported by a jack under the oil pan.

Crankshaft seal is far from a worst case scenario. Not a big deal if replacing the timing belt. You should really have it replaced anyway even if it's not leaking cuz you're already there.

lollygagger

Let's hope for the oil pan seal!!!

BobDobolina

Yeah, like link7 said, the engine is cool where its at. No need to remove it. But im not too sure that its the crank seal...I removed and replaced mine without draining the engine oil....
hmmmm...thats right you have an automatic
So my knowledge is honestly limited...

An yeah, SPART plugs should be replaced along with the cam and crank seals, tensioner, valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals if your not paying somebody to do it for you

check out these DIY's, they may give you a better idea.

Tbelt

well damn i was gonna get more but lol i would try to make a clutch replacement one but my pics really didnt capture it all

basically, 'lets hope for the oil pan seal!!!'

And search this site, its got alot of good info to pour over before you go spendin all your hard earned do'h!

jdawgzcivic

Thanks all for your input... I greatly appreciate it since I don't know much...

BobDobolina

No problem!!

Dont be a forum stranger!

jdawgzcivic

I have several pictures attached.
Will it hurt if I wait like 2-3 months?
Gotta save at least $700-800 for all these work...
I would appreciate any comments and suggestions...

Thanks!

BobDobolina

The first and second one are telling. It would be safe to assume it may be an oil pan gasket leak. That being the case, changing one out shouldnt warrant a trip to the stealership....
And you could wait as long as you need too, just make sure to top off the oil regularly, if it is indeed a slow leak.
And if you liked my advice, REP me for it!! Good luck man!!

jdawgzcivic

Thanks BobDobolina!
I really hate going to those "STEALERSHIP" and get robbed.
How much would you think changing or fixing the pan gasket leak would cost? Does it take a long time to replace? I want to be ready when I go in the "STEALERSHIP" so that they would know what I'm talking about and won't get robbed. Yesterday, I wiped it dry and I'll see how much oil has leaked within 24 hours. Thanks for the tip, I will try to keep putting in the oil for now... How do I REP you? I've never used it before and pretty new to this site... Thanks!

lollygagger

Hey hey. I suggested the oil pan gasket! Rep me!!

jdawgzcivic

No doubt!! Thanks LOLLYGAGGER!
Appreciate the help!!!
Do you think this will cost a lot of money?
Will it be a replacement? or will it be like a patch and seal deal?

Thanks again!

lollygagger

I'd think they would just replace it. Cost for parts is looking from 7-20$ on Rock Auto for the seal. You could definitely do it yourself. Probably a two hour job. Dealer might work you over on this one for a couple hundred.

Rep button is that little scale of justice thing in between the green dot and the red warning sign for each post

jdawgzcivic

Thanks Lollygagger!!!
Should I get the sealer? or get the entire part to replace?
I can do it myself and not hard to do?
Are there any sites that you can recommend on where I can purchase the oil pan gasket? Thanks again!

BobDobolina

Open up a stealership site. Navigate to the part and get the part number. Then copy that into goggle and search again to find the best price on the replacement part, because thats what you need. You cant really 'patch' or 'fix' a gasket.

Not sure if you really need an additional rtv sealer or anything...but auto places carry a high tack gasket...goo stuff lol (i forgot the name) you can use to kinda 'glue' it into place before you re-install it, so it dosent slip on you during installation. Its safe for oil/gas/coolant and never dries, just stays tacky and seal-e? LOL

And it aint hard...just jack it up and wrench it off...should'nt be too hard. If youve never wrenched on your ride before, do it over a weekend, just in case.

jdawgzcivic

Thanks BobDobolina!
I've got the part and it goes for $40 from the "stealership".
I called two "stealership" and one wants $250 and the other one wants $265 just for labor.
I have those 2 ramps in which I can raise the car about 8 inches off the ground. Will this be good enough? Where would that be located? I'm gonna keep "googling" and see if I can find like a video on how to change it. $250-$265? OUCH!!! That's too much.....

Appreciate it!!!