Rep Power: 0

I've got a 2001 Honda Civic EX.

So, I had exhaust leaking into my coolant, pushing coolant out of the overflow on long runs (+1hr on the highway). I also had a bit of oil seeping from underneath the front left side of the cylinder head, underneath the water passage. I didn't have any oil leaks anywhere else.

I changed out the head gasket, and while the coolant issue is fixed (just took a 700 mile trip), the oil leak from underneath the water passage has gotten worse, and I've got oil dripping off the oil pan (probably from the back side of the cylinder head). I cleaned the mating surfaces for the head gasket and they were smooth and undamaged, and I took the head to a machine shop and watched them measure it; it was completely level.

Does anyone have any ideas why I've got new oil leaks? I use full synthetic 5w-20 oil. The car has 200,000 miles on it.

 
Rep Power: 518

VTEC solenoid gaskets
Cam plug (where a distributor would go if it had one)
valve cover gasket
leftover residue that needs cleaned up



Clean it all spotless with brake cleaner, throw talc powder all over it, drive it then look for the leak source in the powder.

 
Rep Power: 0

I know it's not the cam plug, it is dry up there and I replaced it this summer. Where would I find the VTEC solenoid? I assume near the cam plug? It's not the Valve Cover gasket, that's new as well and no leakage is coming from there.

I've already done a infrared/dye check and saw fresh oil leaking from under the water passage. I see oil dripping down the front of the transmission and off the bottom as well as off the oil pan above the drain bolt. I haven't gotten all the way under the car but I doubt it's the filter, I bet it's from above that.

This is very frustrating after days of work!

 
Rep Power: 518

12 years and 200k, I'd expect any and all rubber seals to be hardened and needing replaced. Sounds like you already did most of the uppers, all but the VTEC valve set.

Seriously, clean everything spotless and use talc (ordinary bath powder). It's great for finding leaks.


VTEC valve/solenoid is in box #9




I know it's an older engine, but it's in the same place.

HTH

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks for the help, I will check the solenoid out. I had to replace the VTEC oil pressure switch (#12) while I was doing the head gasket because I broke it, but I didn't take the rest of it apart.