I have always had this minor oil drip coming from the top right side of the oil pan. About a liter every six week. It is not the oil drain plug, it is above it.

The dealer once said it is the oil pump gasket. Although, I don't know how they can be sure, since then the oil pump is inside the pan? How do they know it's from there?

The gasket is 10 bucks, but labor is a whole day 1000$. That screw leaking is long, and cannot be completely pulled out without dropping at least the exhaust.

My mechanic is recommending pulling the screw out as much as possible, applying silicone, and screwing it back on it.

My - inexperienced - concern is if that oil accumulates in there, and if its ok, or better to let the car keep sweating it out. I simply don't know how the oil flows in there to make a call.

What would you do?

 

If it was me, I would use high mileage synthetic oil only, which I have been. In addition, I bought new VTEC solenoid gaskets, which I will be replacing. I'd suggest you do the same before replacing the oil gasket, given that it is more labor intensive. The vtec solenoid gaskets is easy to replace.

 

Would you share the part # on the VTEC gaskets?

 

15825-P8A-A01 Filter Assembly, Spool Valve
36172-P8A-A01 Gasket, Solenoid Base
91319-PR3-003 O-Ring (13X1.5) (Arai)



How to replace it. Should be easy. Put car on front jack stands when you are doing an oil change. Remove passenger wheel. It is close to the oil filter! I will do this at my next oil change and will take some photos!

 

How long does it take to do this?

 

My drip tho is more from a bolt on the top of the oil pan a few inches above the drain plug, not towards the passenger side of engine where the vtech solenoids are.

I am wondering is it a good idea to remove the bolt, and re-screw it on with a silicone ring to block the leak, or is it better to leave it and let it sweat oil out?

 

Got it. Well, I am going to install the vtec solenoid gaskets at the next oil change. I'd assume it would take about an hour or less for the job. For you, maybe you could take the bolt out and wrap some plumber teflon tape around the bolt and bolt it back on? Can you take a picture to show us where the bolt is? I am a visual person.

 

The drain plug has a cpl drops on it, but leak is from above it. Orange arrow

 

Back to the original post, the question was, "Should I Patch Oil Leak?" The answer should be, of course you should. The environment does not need your "a liter every six week" dripping out of your car. You need to figure out how to stop that leak and you have gotten some good ideas from others on this board.

 

I need to know if simply patching where it's coming out may cause accumulations inside that can do harm.

Coz to get in there to fix it apparently is over a thousand in labor.