Rep Power: 0

Hello,
I have a 2003 Honda Civic leak and brought it to a auto mechanic about a year ago. They replaced the valve cover gasket (blue) and also installed a new plug the one on the side. Every week, noticing leaks and on the outside of the cover gasket. Could the cover gasket be bad already?


Thanks in advance

 
Rep Power: 209

Model (EX, LX, DX,,)?
Has it been leaking since they replaced the cam plug and valve cover gasket?
If so, possibilties are:

1) The mechanic may have repaired either and/or both incorrectly
2) Valve cover bolts need to be tightened to spec
3) One or more valve cover bolts or the cylinder head holes the valve cover bolts insert into is stripped (possibly due to overtightening).
4) Spark plug grommet is leaking
5) If, you have an EX model the Vtec solenoid is prone to leaks but not at the location in your picture

and finally: the mechanic used a Felpro gasket, in which Felpro claims that Hondabond is not needed in conjunction with. However, that is in conflict with the Honda sevice manual (FSM), which calls for the use of Hondabond (or similar) sealant on the inner corners of the valve cover gasket.

If it's been leaking since they did the repair your best course of action is to call the mechanic and ask him how he installed the VC gasket and cam plug (inluding use of Hondabond) and then tell him it's been leaking for a long time and you'd like to have them repair it correctly free of charge.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks for your help and assistance.
It just started recently leaking tiny measurements.
It's a LX model. The auto mechanic place is no longer in business.
I've attached a picture of the oil leak now. Could it be that "round" piece is bad again?
When I also check under the oil pan below where the bolt screw is, I also see little drops in there. I have to jack up the care and raise it to see.


Thanks again.








---------------------------------------------------------------------------


Has it been leaking since they replaced the cam plug and valve cover gasket?
If so, possibilties are:

1) The mechanic may have repaired either and/or both incorrectly
2) Valve cover bolts need to be tightened to spec
3) One or more valve cover bolts or the cylinder head holes the valve cover bolts insert into is stripped (possibly due to overtightening).
4) Spark plug grommet is leaking
5) If, you have an EX model the Vtec solenoid is prone to leaks but not at the location in your picture

and finally: the mechanic used a Felpro gasket, in which Felpro claims that Hondabond is not needed in conjunction with. However, that is in conflict with the Honda sevice manual (FSM), which calls for the use of Hondabond (or similar) sealant on the inner corners of the valve cover gasket.

If it's been leaking since they did the repair your best course of action is to call the mechanic and ask him how he installed the VC gasket and cam plug (inluding use of Hondabond) and then tell him it's been leaking for a long time and you'd like to have them repair it correctly free of charge.

 
Rep Power: 517

I'd say to get a can of brake cleaner and spray the area spotless clean, dry it with a somewhat clean cloth.


Then hit the area with some powder.
White bath talc, a can of Right Guard, something like that. Coat the area well.

Drive it until there is some evidence of leakage showing up again.
The white powder should show the trail of evidence back to the source of the leak.

Probably will be related to the valve cover gasket like Mr. Turd said.

 
Rep Power: 0

This is a very common leak and very easy/cheap to fix...

 
Rep Power: 209

Agreed. OP...I followed that video when I fixed my mom's vc and cam end cap (plug) leak. I've read on forums that some say to use Hondabond on the end cap rubber gasket and some say not to use Hondabond. I did use it and it hasn't leaked since (3k miles ago). Maybe the mechanic didn't use any Hondabond on it and could be the cause of the leak.

If you plan to do it yourself IMO you'll want to Hondabond both the valve cover gasket (inner corners) and cam plug (rubber seal). There's a possibility when removing the cam plug that plastic bit's (inserts) can break off inside the valve cover so, best to remove valve cover first to watch (internally) as cam plug is removed. Also, remove EGR valve for easy access to cam plug. The current valve cover gasket should be okay to reuse as long as it's pliable..just make sure to thoroughly clean both the valve cover's and cylinder head's mating surfaces before reinstalling VC gasket.

VC replacement video (He used RTV, Hondabond is okay to use too):