I have a 2005 6mt w/ @56k miles.

It seems that I have a oil leak. The problem is that it is small enough to just lightly mist the entire engine bay with oil. I am concerned that this might be making my belt slip.

Sometimes when I accelerate hard, around 4000rpm the engine will have a slight loss of power. Like I can feel the car pull and then it pulls less when it happens. It should pull harder as the rpms climb, right? I thought that the clutch was giving out, but it doesn't make sense since It can still scoot pretty good in first and second. Also it happens at random. Not everytime I accelerate hard.

Soooo...my question is
1)Could this misting problem cause my belt to slip resulting in this kind of power loss?
2)Has anyone ever seen or heard about this kind of oil leak? If so, is there a common trouble spot on the engine for leaks?
3)I still have a warranty. Would the dealership be able to find this leak and fix it under warranty?

 

is it engine oil or ps fluid
did you get the recall done on the ps hose?

 

If its a warranty issue they will fix it under warranty- do you have an extended or CPO warranty contract?
If its not warranty they can still fix it at your expense

 

the clutch on these cars has a special system inside that will keep pedal pressure and feel good right up to the day it suddenly quits

Does the rpm come up with no increase in speed??- or does the car just feel sluggish
The belt slippage from oil may reduce alternator power transfer but shouldnt do what you describe

call 1-800-382-2238 x5 with your vin- ask if there are any open recalls on your car
There was an oring issue on ps pump and the line prob on others

 

check a few spark plugs for wear and overall condition- its getting near time to replace them on the performance minded schedule

 

It's definitley oil. When I took the plastic cover I saw a little bit pooled up between the runners.

Both the power steering hose and o-ring recalls/tsb's are done.

I have the extended warranty to 100k miles.

The car accelerates pretty well. It's like this. I accelerate hard....car is doing well...@ 4000rpm it feels like the car loses 20hp and pulls less. It's not a big difference, but it's enough to make you say wtf is going on. And it doesn't happen all the time. I haven't noticed the rpm's climbing w/out acceleration.

 

Isn't the VTEC kick-over genreated by using oil pressure to move the "lock" that allows cam to move? (sorry if I botched the mechanics on that).

Anyhow if VTEC is not kicking in (~4700 rpm on the base?) won't it feel like a power loss?

And if the valve that controls the oil pressure to the cam lock isn't working or is leaking would that explain the oil misting and the lost power?

Just guessing - definetly not a mechanic - so perhaps someone can shoot this down if I am way off base.

 

Well it's a sound theory. I am new to the honda/acura crowd so I would need a quick 101 in vtec to understand what you're saying. But I get the jist of it.

Bearcat..where is the valve you are referring to? I'll see if there is any caked up dirt around it signifing a leak.

I think I will check the belt to see if it is slick. And also the seams in the engine where gaskets go to see if there are any signs of a leak. I'll also take the coils off to make sure there is no leak around the spark plugs.

I hate chasing down leaks. On another car I ended up tearing down the engine cause I couldn't pinpoint a leak. Gaurantee that it didn't leak when I put it back together. Anyways, if my visual inspection doesn't turn up anything then I may end up calling the dealer to see what they can do since I have a warranty.

 

It's probably internal, which may very well negate it as the source of your leak. Probably a long-shot/off base any how. More likely to be something simpler/more obvious - gasket, clamp, host, etc.

Do you feel/hear VTEC at ~4700 RPM? If so, forget what I was thinking.


Didn't you just replace your manifold cover? Is it torqued properly? New gasket? etc.

 

Yes I just did the cover, but this has actually been happening before I did that.

Well now that I know the magic # for vtec engagement I will have to pay attention to it.

Am I supposed to hear or feel something when it does activate when it's working properly?

 

Yeah, you should feel the car pull a bit more and the tone changes too - a little more growl.

Depending on the car, say MT or TL-S with mods it might be pretty easy to notice; base AT no mods, it'll be more sublte, but still noticable.

 

If its working you will know it regardless of model or mods- the valve timing and duration change dramatically- engine tone and a push into the seat are your clues

Yes it is oil pressure change controlled- I dont have the exacts but thats the idea- it senses the rise in pressure with rpm increase- pressure opens a valve that moves something else...then it gets complicated

One of the main reasons NOT to add any oil product stuff like lucas or stp is how it might affect the vtec

Dont waste your time- its got warranty and an oil leak misting the underhood is a serious issue-FIRE danger- oil + heat= bad news

Dont call and ask what it might be- service writers dont know- it takes a tech and a look at the secret TSB book to find whats wrong-
get an appt and take it in ASAP
Speak with the service MANAGER -about how long its been happening

 

Vtec engagement is rather straight forward. The ECU will send a 12V signal to the Vtec solenoid when the ECU senses engine at 4750 RPM. The Vtec solenoid opens an oil passage to allow oil pressure to engage the Vtec rockers, which ride over the long duration cam lobes.

There is a safety switch however. The oil pressure must be at a minimuim psi (I don't know the specs offhand). As long as the oil pressure is above this mimuim psi, the 12V signal (coming from the ECU) will be allowed to open the Vtec solenoid.

 

Well I checked my belt and it was bone dry and looked pretty good. I looked around my valve covers and anywhere oil could come out and didn't see anything. There was some caked up dirt where the starter attatches to the tranny. I don't know why there would be or if something could leak from there? I don't know if that is something different with this car.

Anyways, I cleaned up the engine bay a bit so I could see how bad this is or even if it is a real problem over the next couple weeks.