Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum If you've got a problem you just can't figure out, a noise you can't diagnose, or a Check Engine Light that won't go away, ask about it here!

2002 civic ex: Mystery gasket/seal

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-23-2014
  #1  
Registered!!
Thread Starter
 
k5amu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 0
k5amu1 is an unknown quantity at this point
2002 civic ex: Mystery gasket/seal

Yesterday I noticed motor oil all over my oil pan. Upon further inspection I noticed a seal / gasket between the crankshaft and oil pan. I thought it was the oil pan gasket, the part that is curved just below the crank. Well I took the oil pan off and realized the original rubber piece was still hanging. So I spent a lot of time changing the oil pan gasket for no reason. This is a bad leak that really needs to be fixed. Here are some pics of what I'm talking about. Any help would be great thanks.
Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	20140323_174137.jpg
Views:	481
Size:	40.8 KB
ID:	86471   Click image for larger version

Name:	20140323_145834.jpg
Views:	537
Size:	48.8 KB
ID:	86472   Click image for larger version

Name:	20140323_145919.jpg
Views:	530
Size:	68.5 KB
ID:	86473   Click image for larger version

Name:	20140323_151049.jpg
Views:	586
Size:	70.4 KB
ID:	86474  
Old 03-23-2014
  #2  
Registered!!
Thread Starter
 
k5amu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 0
k5amu1 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: 2002 civic ex: Mystery gasket/seal

You can see it best in the third pic.
Old 03-23-2014
  #3  
7th Gen Civic DIY Enthusiast!
 
Matt_75's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Honolulu, HI USA
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Rep Power: 161
Matt_75 is a jewel in the roughMatt_75 is a jewel in the roughMatt_75 is a jewel in the roughMatt_75 is a jewel in the rough
Re: 2002 civic ex: Mystery gasket/seal

Lower timing belt cover gasket.
Old 03-23-2014
  #4  
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
 
ezone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Posts: 32,019
Received 250 Likes on 182 Posts
Rep Power: 493
ezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond repute
Re: 2002 civic ex: Mystery gasket/seal

Lower timing cover gasket has squished out....but that's not your oil leak.

The timing cover gasket is only a dust seal.

The oil leak is elsewhere in the timing belt area, probably front cam seal/front crank seal/valve cover gasket or the like.
Old 04-13-2014
  #5  
Registered!!
Thread Starter
 
k5amu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 0
k5amu1 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: 2002 civic ex: Mystery gasket/seal

Thanks for all the advice. This past weekend I jacked the car up and went to work on it. I ended up not changing my timing belt since it only has about 10k miles on it. As soon as I took a look at my lower timing belt cover I realized it was rubbing up against the crankshaft pulley and some of the bolts that screw into the front of the block were busted around the casing. There was a little oil around the crankshaft seal, so I ordered an O.E.M crankshaft seal and lower timing belt cover. I put everything back together and there was no oil leak to speak of; for the first couple days. Now I can see a small drop of oil on the bottom of the lower timing belt cover and its dropping down onto the crossmember. The only other thing I know of that could leak is the cam seal and there was no sign of leakage around it. Im not really sure what to do next. Any suggestions would be great.
Old 04-13-2014
  #6  
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
 
ezone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Posts: 32,019
Received 250 Likes on 182 Posts
Rep Power: 493
ezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond repute
Re: 2002 civic ex: Mystery gasket/seal

The usual suspects that would be leaking oil into that area are the front crank seal, front cam seal, valve cover gasket......and MAYBE the oil pan and gasket. Anything else would be unusual.

The oil pump is there too, but if the seal between the pump and block leaks it seems to end up on the sides of the block.


Remove the timing covers, clean everything off, reassemble just enough to run.... and watch for fresh leaks to form?
Old 04-13-2014
  #7  
Registered!!
Thread Starter
 
k5amu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 0
k5amu1 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: 2002 civic ex: Mystery gasket/seal

I forgot to mention I also have a new valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket. Neither of which were leaking when I replaced them, I was just trying to replace the easy stuff first. Also new crankshaft seal. I left the cam seal alone because I didn't see any leaks.
Old 07-05-2014
  #8  
Registered!!
 
madmax99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 0
madmax99 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: 2002 civic ex: Mystery gasket/seal

I'm a Honda factory trained master tech.
Hope that helps you feel safer about trusting the advice.
I see your leak everyday. Its the oil pump behind the timing belt pulley.
It is silicone sealer (Hondabond) and a single o-ring.
It leaks onto the oil pan gasket making it appear as if the seal were leaking.
I believe its 5 10mm bolts holding the pump face on. you also need to unbolt the oil sump. obviously this all happens after you remove the t-belt, pulley, and oil pan. Replace the oil seal (small o-ring) and get a tube of fresh H-bond. you'll see the areas that need the silicone when you remove the oil pump face. Get all the old silicone off.
Make sure you get all the bolts out before you pry on it or you'll break it.
Good luck.
Old 07-06-2014
  #9  
Registered!!
Thread Starter
 
k5amu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 0
k5amu1 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: 2002 civic ex: Mystery gasket/seal

Originally Posted by madmax99
I'm a Honda factory trained master tech.
Hope that helps you feel safer about trusting the advice.
I see your leak everyday. Its the oil pump behind the timing belt pulley.
It is silicone sealer (Hondabond) and a single o-ring.
It leaks onto the oil pan gasket making it appear as if the seal were leaking.
I believe its 5 10mm bolts holding the pump face on. you also need to unbolt the oil sump. obviously this all happens after you remove the t-belt, pulley, and oil pan. Replace the oil seal (small o-ring) and get a tube of fresh H-bond. you'll see the areas that need the silicone when you remove the oil pump face. Get all the old silicone off.
Make sure you get all the bolts out before you pry on it or you'll break it.
Good luck.
Thanks for the advice, I wish I had this info a couple weeks ago. I sold the car last week, I was spending too much time working on the car. I dropped the oil pan twice on the car looking for the leak, it would have been an easy fix had I known the problem. Thanks again. By the way I stuck with Honda and bought a 2012 Civic Ex-L, hopefully I won't have any issues with it for awhile.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
CarStuff
Safety/Security Items - SRS, Keys, Immobilizer, airbags, ABS
6
12-06-2020 12:52 PM
usajags84
General Automotive Discussion
5
05-10-2015 08:11 AM
shaejb15
I.C.E. (Audio) & Electrical Upgrades
7
04-26-2015 07:44 PM
smmahan
7th Generation Civic 2001 - 2005
2
04-15-2015 08:17 PM
CapYoda
General Automotive Discussion
9
11-11-2001 05:17 PM



Quick Reply: 2002 civic ex: Mystery gasket/seal



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:56 AM.