Rep Power: 0

Hello, I'm new in here. I read lots of information about DIY in Honda and I'm interested a lot. So i guess you can help me for my problem for sure.

Here is my problem. I have a 97 Honda Civic EX Vtec Engine with 181K miles. I notice that there is a leaking at the front corner of the Cylinder Head which close to the Distributor, under the top Radiator Hose. I clean it out and I turn the Engine on for about five minutes or drive for about couple miles, then it leaks out from that corner.

First, I guesed that the problem could be the Distributor O-Ring and I replaced it but the leak is still there now. Do you have any subjection? Any subjection or idea will be appreciated.

Thank you for you time.

 
Rep Power: 189

Do you mean leaking engine oil or coolant? I am assuming oil from what you described, the valve cover gasket can leak right in that area and make it look like a distributor o ring you just need to remove it and then clean it with brakekleen and reseal it with some rtv if thats the case. If thats not where you are describing then it is possible that oil is leaking from the block externally, its rare but possible.

 
Rep Power: 0

I didn't make it clear so I'm sorry. I mean oil leak. I already looked at many times and the Valve Cover Gasket is not leaking at all. Again, it leaks at the corner under the top Radiator Hose. Here is a similar picture of it. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...w=1020&bih=644

 
Rep Power: 189

ok we are on the same page now, yeah brother I got nothing to say other than it looks like your going to need a new headgasket.

 
Rep Power: 313

It's obviously not the valve cover, you can tell in the picture (even tho its not yours) that it's clean below it. Are you burning coolant? Losing coolant? Check your coolant levels in your overflow and your rad(when its COLD) and report back here. You need to rule out your headgasket or get up close and personal and see where the leak is coming from. If it's coming from between the block and the head it's a HG for sure.

 
Rep Power: 189

he aleady posted that he is losing oil not coolant tbohar.

 
Rep Power: 313

If his head gasket failed it may have failed internally as well. I didn't notice if he had said he is losing coolant or not, so I wasn't sure if he had checked it. He needs to go through his options to find out if it really is the HG, and if he hasn't checked his coolant levels yet he should... Even tho he has an oil leak...

 
Rep Power: 189

I would not just jump in and say that it would have failed internally as well, I have seen lots of head gaskets sealing fine everywhere but the outermost edges, grand ams with the quad 4 used to leak out all around the drivers side of the head from a poor headgasket because of machining faults on the early ones. The head was out in that area causing it.

 
Rep Power: 313

I agree with you... But, if he isn't sure it's the head gasket, and has low coolant, or oil entering the water jackets (which is highily possible)... Checking his coolant level or checking for oil in the coolant helps him confirm it's the head gasket. I'd hate to jump to the conclusion it's the head gasket if it isn't... I'm just looking for ways to confirm it.

 
Rep Power: 0

Everyone, thank you so much for your help and comments. I already looked at it and the coolant has nothing relates to this problem at all because the coolant is not missing anything. I already checked it for more than five times since last week. It is oil 100%, not coolant. So now what do you subject me to do? Replace the Head Gasket or what should I do? I don't know much about car but I'll try to do it myself so now I'm waiting for your subjection. Please help!

 
Rep Power: 313

Head gasket is a big job you have to find out where it is leaking from. Maybe take it to a shop and get a second opinion. Like I said if it's coming from between the block and head it's the head gasket.

 
Rep Power: 189

getting a second opinion does not hurt but a head gasket is about 8 hours labour, so judge accordingly that does not include the cost of machining the head which you should always do to ensure a proper seal again. Doing it yourself means that you will require a set of hand tools including metric sockets and a torque wrench. There are a ton of write ups on how to do it on almost all honda forums if you want to attempt the job yourself, I always encourage ppl to dive in and learn how to do their own work on cars.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thank you so much, guys. I'll try to take it to someone, shops, to look at it to get the second opinion as you subjected and then I'll be back here to let you know as soon as I can. Again, thanks for your subjections.