While replacing oil pan, found rubber (gasket?) hanging out from belt next to it

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

May 4, 2018

coolguybob

Thread Starter

Registered!!

Joined: May 2018

Posts: 9

Likes: 0

Rep Power: 0

coolguybob is an unknown quantity at this point

While replacing oil pan, found rubber (gasket?) hanging out from belt next to it

I'm not a car guy, but was attempting to replace my oil pan in my 2003 Civic EX. Before I put the new one on, I noticed a loose rubber thing (gasket?) hanging from the belt that is next to the oil pan. I'm assuming it shouldn't be loose like that. Does anyone know what it is? What I need to do to repair it? Thanks for the help!

Attached Thumbnails

Click image for larger version

Name: 20180504_102343.jpg
Views: 185
Size: 3.86 MB
ID: 112180

Click image for larger version

Name: 20180504_102349.jpg
Views: 124
Size: 4.12 MB
ID: 112181

May 4, 2018

Colin42

"Marge, anyone could miss Canada! All tucked away down there."

Joined: Feb 2016

Posts: 9,636

Likes: 1,283

From: Barrie, ON Canada

Rep Power: 222

Re: While replacing oil pan, found rubber (gasket?) hanging out from belt next to it

Timing cover gasket?

May 4, 2018

coolguybob

Thread Starter

Registered!!

Joined: May 2018

Posts: 9

Likes: 0

Rep Power: 0

Re: While replacing oil pan, found rubber (gasket?) hanging out from belt next to it

If that is what it is, I'm assuming it is a lot of work to fix it?

May 4, 2018

Slumpertcivic

Registered!!

Joined: Oct 2017

Posts: 1,268

Likes: 15

Rep Power: 118

Re: While replacing oil pan, found rubber (gasket?) hanging out from belt next to it

Likely from your dampener.

All the timing cover gaskets are open ended and that’s way to big for oil seal and way to thick for water pump gasket

May 4, 2018

ezone

If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one

Joined: Dec 2011

Posts: 32,017

Likes: 256

From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest

Rep Power: 518

Re: While replacing oil pan, found rubber (gasket?) hanging out from belt next to it

Timing cover gasket

May 4, 2018

Slumpertcivic

Registered!!

Joined: Oct 2017

Posts: 1,268

Likes: 15

Rep Power: 118

Re: While replacing oil pan, found rubber (gasket?) hanging out from belt next to it

He doesn’t even have a lower timing cover?

May 4, 2018

ezone

If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one

Joined: Dec 2011

Posts: 32,017

Likes: 256

From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest

Rep Power: 518

Re: While replacing oil pan, found rubber (gasket?) hanging out from belt next to it

Yea....um, maybe the bottom of the lower cover is broken out?

May 4, 2018

coolguybob

Thread Starter

Registered!!

Joined: May 2018

Posts: 9

Likes: 0

Rep Power: 0

Re: While replacing oil pan, found rubber (gasket?) hanging out from belt next to it

Would more pictures help? Are you saying it is likely the timing cover gasket? but i'm missing the timing cover? Also is this a hard thing to fix?

May 4, 2018

ezone

If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one

Joined: Dec 2011

Posts: 32,017

Likes: 256

From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest

Rep Power: 518

Re: While replacing oil pan, found rubber (gasket?) hanging out from belt next to it

I know you can see the timing gear, but If the entire lower cover were missing, the gasket sould have gone missing with the cover.

I think the bottom loop of the cover is probably broken out for some reason, leaving the portion of gasket to flop freely

May 4, 2018

#10

coolguybob

Thread Starter

Registered!!

Joined: May 2018

Posts: 9

Likes: 0

Rep Power: 0

Re: While replacing oil pan, found rubber (gasket?) hanging out from belt next to it

What should I do?

May 4, 2018

#11

Colin42

"Marge, anyone could miss Canada! All tucked away down there."

Joined: Feb 2016

Posts: 9,636

Likes: 1,283

From: Barrie, ON Canada

Rep Power: 222

Re: While replacing oil pan, found rubber (gasket?) hanging out from belt next to it

get a new timing cover and gasket, you'll have to remove the crank pulley

May 4, 2018

#12

coolguybob

Thread Starter

Registered!!

Joined: May 2018

Posts: 9

Likes: 0

Rep Power: 0

Re: While replacing oil pan, found rubber (gasket?) hanging out from belt next to it

Is the car drivable without replacing it? and having part of the gasket free like that?

May 4, 2018

#13

ezone

If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one

Joined: Dec 2011

Posts: 32,017

Likes: 256

From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest

Rep Power: 518

Re: While replacing oil pan, found rubber (gasket?) hanging out from belt next to it

You've been driving it for how long like that......

May 4, 2018

#14

Slumpertcivic

Registered!!

Joined: Oct 2017

Posts: 1,268

Likes: 15

Rep Power: 118

Re: While replacing oil pan, found rubber (gasket?) hanging out from belt next to it

That gasket and the part/whole timing cover that’s missing is intended to keep sand, liquids, other debris and fingers from getting onto the timing belt.

For all you know it’s been that way for thousands of miles, but I would strongly consider moving up a timing belt replacement due to that exposure.

May 4, 2018

#15

coolguybob

Thread Starter

Registered!!

Joined: May 2018

Posts: 9

Likes: 0

Rep Power: 0

Re: While replacing oil pan, found rubber (gasket?) hanging out from belt next to it

Ok, thanks so much for all of the help! It's almost time for a new car for me, but I wanted it to run a little while longer. I'll go ahead and put the new oil pan on and see about the timing belt sooner than later.