I've had a very slow oil leak now for about 2-3 months. Car has 145k on it. I only notice a few small dots on the garage floor after parking it overnight. It was leaking more until I read on this forum about replacing the PCV and switching to High Mileage oil (I am using the Castrol). It seems to have slowed it down quite a bit - some mornings I am not seeing any drips!

However, I had a problem with the car not starting yesterday. Battery tested OK at AutoZone so brought it to the dealer who cleaned the positive terminal and said the positive cable was corroded, but unlike on past visits they didn't pressure me to replace the cable. Not sure why as I probably would have done it this time since I actually broke down due to it.

However, the dealer tech was saying the oil leak mentioned above is the oil pump - it needs a new seal. And while they are in there replacing that seal, they should do the timing belt (makes sense). But it's a little early on the belt as it was done roughly 60k miles ago. In all - about $1500.

This advice is contrary to prior visits when they said the leak was the rear main seal. At one point they said it was the oil pan seal - and the rear main.

I kind of get the impression they aren't really sure where it's leaking and they have had the car up in the air 3 or 4 times now. Very frustrating as this is an expensive repair any way you look at it - not something you want to do trial and error on.

But here's my question - regardless of the leakage area - as long as I check the oil and don't let it get low, is there any harm in waiting to repair this? They said the oil pump may get the timing belt wet with oil and that could cause it to degrade. But that's a big IF since they don't know if the belt is even getting wet. With the small amount I am seeing on the garage floor, it's hard to believe this is any kind of substantial leak (dipstick shows normal).

I want to wait on this for obvious reasons - but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot by causing further issues by delaying the repair.

Wondered what you all think about this - what would you do?

 

You need to jack up the front end and clean up all signs of oil from the underside and the engine. Use a degreaser if you have to. It would help if you remove the splash guard - very easy to undo the clips and it comes off. Then take it to a trustworthy mechanic a day or two later, put it on a lift, and let him show you exactly where the oil is originating from. Trial & error is not the way to go.

 

Thanks. I was wondering about that. Seems like the oil is just channeling around down there and that's making it hard to determine exactly where it's coming from. Cleaning it up should help narrow it down.

 

Yeah, do as Victus1 suggested. If ya don't feel comfortable doing this yourself, then take the car to a local "trustworthy" mechanic for a second opinion. It could very easily be something simple. Don' trust the dealer techs !

 

As far as I know, oil pump leak will not soak the timing belt. the oil pump is behind the crank pulley.

 

From the replies, sounds like there is no real urgency to this as long as I check the oil and don't let it get low. I did get a significantly lower quote at Honda (vs Acura) and they include resealing the oil pan, new water pump, new seal for oil pump as well as the timing belt replacement. Still not a good deal if it's actually the rear seal and not the oil pump area that's leaking!

 

Yeah, it shoudn't be a big problem unless you were to know for sure and even then.....don't throw good money at conflicting tech diagnosis. That PCV valve, if clogged or sticking may have caused some issues.

Until things are cleaned up and the leak is actually pinpointed, hang loose. If concerned about the T-belt possibly getting oil soaked, it can be inspected by removing some covers. In the meantime, keep an eye on things.

 

So, I just bought my wife and 15 year old son a 2002 TL Type S last week, to share. I noticed the other day there was some small drops of oil, took it to a local shop, 50 bucks to did an good search to find the source, they told me that the oil pain was seeping but not too bad, the small leak/drops were coming from the timing cover gasket, the guys told me that at 90k miles, I might as well change the belt since they would have to replace the gasket anyways...I called Acura because I was wondering what it would cost... the service guy told me that they would replace all the belts, (water pump,Oil Pump, ect) and that since and it would run 1500 bucks... the local shop guys only wanted 450.00 to change the timing belt /w gasket of course and oil pan gasket, which I assume would be an needing an oil change, so bottom line I feel your need for reinsurance when dealing with this stuff.

 

Hey Mojo, if ya trust your local shop.....that's a big savings for sure. But, there's a few other things that should go along with the recommended 105k T-belt servicing. Don't cut corners by only replacing the belt itself. Do some research and buy the necessary pm parts yourself for extra savings, then take them to your repair shop. Labor should'nt be much more for the installation of these additional items while things are opened up.

 

Thanks for the heads up 3.2 TLc

 

just replace the oil pressure switch, only $10 at Autozone

 

And what will this achieve?