Xerlude

Has any one replaced their oil pan gasket on a 3rd gen 6sp MT TL? I found a oil leak when looking under my car the other day. The oil is where the oil pan and the tranny meet. I decided to replace the silicon gasket, I've replaced a few oil pans back in my Civic days and man the TL oil pan is a pain in the @ss to get off. From reading the service manual it looks like a east job, but the dam bolts by the oil filter are a pain and you have to remove the A pipe on the exhaust. any tips? I had to stop working on it to get to sleep, i work in the morning.

TLFourplay

iTrader: (1)

I cant offer any tips as I havent personally done one on the TL but I did the rear main on my accord (2000 3.0 v-6) and it was a PITA. I hope it is just the oil pan gasket for you and not the rear main.

RACINGHART03

iTrader: (2)

There is no gasket persay. Its a liquid gasket. I have done a bunch but never for leaks. Usually Jiffy lube and their stripping of the pans was my cause. Just be sure its the mating surface that is leaking and not something else before you go wasting your time.

Xerlude

The pan is clean but where the pan meets the tranny i found some oil.

RACINGHART03

iTrader: (2)

There is a small black inspection plate held on by two ten mill bolts. Pull that cover off and see if there is oil behind it. Are you still in warranty?

Xerlude

yea, that's where the oil was coming from, and I don't have a warranty

RACINGHART03

iTrader: (2)

hmm. Based on your description/location sounds like the rear main. Try some bars leak oil treatment. Cant hurt anything. Also just make sure your oil level is correct. Rear mains on this model are rare. Overfilled oil can cause a leak like this as well. Have you had your clutch replaced yet?

fsttyms1

Sounds like a rear main leak. They were somewhat common on the J32A2. (the 03's) If it is the rear main you will have to remove the trans to fix a 5 dollar seal

RACINGHART03

iTrader: (2)

Thats why I was asking about the clutch lol. Knockem both out in one shot. That was my thinking.

Xerlude

Any way to know for sure if it's the rear mail seal? I'm starting to get nervous!

RACINGHART03

iTrader: (2)

Not really anyway to be 100% sure. If your car came to me here is what I do...Clean the shit out of the motor, up behind that inspection plate and all. Add some UV dye to your oil. Test drive and recheck and hope I get some seepage. Are we talking drips in the driveway or a wet dirty look?

Xerlude

I found some oil on the splash shield but non on the floor.

RACINGHART03

iTrader: (2)

I hear ya. Well I never got from you where you where at with your clutch but if havent done it and you are over 50k your gonna need it in the somewhat near future. Would try the bars leak oil thing and wait it out till you need a clutch. Since the flywheel will need to replaced with the clutch, its a no brainer to get the seal done while you are there.

Xerlude

Cool i'll hold off and try bars leak oil treatment.

Xerlude

whats a clutch and main seal replacement go for on a 04 TL?

RACINGHART03

iTrader: (2)

Are you sitting down? Hope so. I am guestimating about 1800-2100. Labor is gonna be anywhere from 12-14 hours. (gotta pull the entire subframe/steering rack out of the car/and support the engine) Parts are not cheap either. Clutch and flywheel need to replaced as a set. I am not sure if anyone has come out with a aftermarket performance clutch yet. If so I would def go with one of those. One of the deciding factors on me choosing an auto trans was my lack of praise for that crappy M/T clutch set up.

Xerlude

OMG!
well i picked up a bottle for Bar's seal repair last night, so i'll start saving now so when the clutch goes, I'll have the money saved.
where is your shop located? i'm somewhere in jersey too, I may need to look you up when that time comes to replace my clutch.
Thanks for all your help!

RACINGHART03

iTrader: (2)

Nothern NJ. Not far from you. Hopefully the bars leak helps. At least it can buy you some time. Lemme know when the time comes. Best of luck!

Xerlude

cool thanks.