Oil Leak Head Gasket
 

Hello,

I had my 2003 Honda Civic LX Coupe serviced and the head gasket was replaced (blue) and sealed. Now, I'm noticing little drip of oil from the
"black" round piece on the picture. What is this part called? How come the dealership did not change this part as well when they installed a new head gasket (blue)?
Will I be able to replace that part myself? or does the entire head gasket need total breakdown again?

Can I also use this "gasket maker" around that "black" round piece to seal it?

I appreciate all feedback and suggestions.
Thanks in advance.
JD

Re: Oil Leak Head Gasket
 

Replace the plug, it's like $9.
Honda part #12513-P72-003

It is not part of a basic head gasket replacement job.

And that blue gasket is the valve cover gasket (or called cylinder head cover gasket), not a head gasket.

Re: Oil Leak Head Gasket
 

Awesome. Great to know and I will be able to do it myself without going to dealership?
I also have to use it with the HondaBond Silicone Liquid Gasket?

So for any future leaks, I can use this HondaBond too?

Thanks

Re: Oil Leak Head Gasket
 

Pry the old one out, push the new one in.
It's that simple.

When you pry the old plug out at least one of the plastic hooks will probably snap off, so try to fish out the broken piece(s) if you can.

The plug has an O ring embedded in it, the O ring does the sealing.
Additional sealers aren't necessary but some people like to smear that stuff everywhere. I don't.

HTH

Re: Oil Leak Head Gasket
 

Ok, thanks again.
Will the new one come with the "O-ring" as well? or have to order the O-ring separately?

Thanks

Re: Oil Leak Head Gasket
 

It comes as one piece, O ring is built into the plug.

#6 is the plug:
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/.../S5A3E1000.gif

Re: Oil Leak Head Gasket
 

Good stuff - appreciate your help.
Thanks again

Re: Oil Leak Head Gasket
 

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you very much for your help.
After a week after installing, no more leaks.
Really appreciate your help.
The auto repair place I went to could never fix it and wasted several hundreds and will never go back there again.

Another issue I've been noticing lately is the smell from the AC unit. I changed the cabin filters and also the filter on the engine.When the AC is turned ON, you can smell like dead leaves or this unusual smell blowing out. What else can I change or look for to fix this issue of the smell from the AC?

Thanks again. Appreciate your help.

Re: Oil Leak Head Gasket
 

There really could be dead leaves and whatnot in the cowl area at the base of the windshield. This is where the blower draws its fresh air.

Re: Oil Leak Head Gasket
 

I need a T-shirt That say that!! :sweet:

..and its Stealership not dealership!!!

Re: Oil Leak Head Gasket
 

As a dealer tech, I resent that comment.

(I know why the term is used though...Sad but, more often than not, true.)

Re: Oil Leak Head Gasket
 

Where can I find or locate these? Is this under the hood? I've tried but not sure what I'm looking for under the glove compartment area?

Thanks

Re: Oil Leak Head Gasket
 

Maybe I should have called it the wiper cowl? It's the area where the wiper linkage and motor are hidden.

If you had to replace the wiper motor, you would have to get into the plastic panels between the hood and windshield. This same large somewhat hollow area is where the blower gets its fresh air.


I assume your smell is mostly when using fresh air, and smells ok when using recirculate?

If it smells bad all the time including when set to recirculate, there are products available to help disinfect the evaporator and HVAC case.