Recently fixed all leaks on my car. Went to a shop and they diagnosed all of my leaks and removed my engine to do the rear main seal. They did a good job for 1.7k tbh (oil pump reseal, camshaft seal, oil pan). Also has valve covers redone after having fixed them last year. Drove it for the first time since the repair and the rpm’s were high and the idle was weird a few days later I got code p2279 for an air leak in the intake system. While trying to find the source of the leak I saw a significant amount of oil coming all over the underside of the front valve cover and next to EGR. I also see a very small whole that looks like it’s meant to be there which is throwing me off. I assume it’s a weep hole for the spark plugs. Is it possible the valve cover gaskets are leaking again? PCV hasn’t been changed I think so I’ll be changing that tomorrow to see if that’s the source of the intake leak. Any input is greatly appreciated.


as you can see the front is covered in oil

that’s the hole I’m referring too. I’ve never seen it before. Never had knocks in the engine. Always on my oil changes. So I’m assuming that’s a weep hole but I’m not sure lol

 

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Check out post #2 in the thread below.
Need Help Diagnosing Leaks around Engine Block - AcuraZine - Acura Enthusiast Community
Can't tell from your close up pictures, though, I think it is the same cam thrust plate O-ring leak with a missing flange bolt for the alleged 'weep hole'.

 

I think you’re right. Just had that done too. Will tell the shop because from what I can remember, prior to them removing my engine I have never had a leak there. Thanks man appreciate it!

 

The picture is blurry so I'm just guessing but the OP's first image shows the cover's left flange bolt intact. The yellow circle is too far left to be the cover's right flange bolt. It almost seems to be a hole on the cover itself. The cover should not have any holes. Maybe the shop drilled a small hole to help remove the cover. I remember the cover was very hard to remove.

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-p...l-leak-917513/

 

Idk man the hole kinda looks like it belongs there. It’s a rectangular shape it looks pretty intentional to be honest I just never noticed it before. I’m leaning towards what the previous guy said. Also just checked my receipt from the shop, they replaced the camshaft thrust cover O-Ring as well…

 

Great catch redbeard1.
The pictures are blurry so now

OP,
1) What year TL do you have?
2) Just to confirm, the red arrow points at the front valve cover and the purple arrow is pointing at the upper front cylinder head with said 'leak' hole in the middle?

The picture below is (if correctly represented on the ebay link) an 04-06 rdj-305 front head:
Honda Oem-engine Cylinder Head 12100RDJ305 for sale online | eBay
I don't see any 'holes' other than the bolt bosses near the top at the valve cover?

The picture below is (if correctly represented on the ebay link) an 07-08 rja-305 front head:
07-08 ACURA TL SEDAN 3.2L V6 FRONT LEFT DRIVER SIDE CYLINDER HEAD BLOCK OEM | eBay
I don't see any 'holes' other than the bolt bosses near the top at the valve cover?

 

It’s a 2008 3.2 j32a3 Acura tl base model. The picture is blurry because it was originally a video and haven’t had time to take a clear picture :/ but yeah it’s from the purple arrow. I’m not even sure if it’s actually leaking from there or not it just seems like it is. Will be changing PVC later and looking for the source of the air leak I previously stated so I’ll clean the area and see what I can find. Either way though it’s very strange. I’m thinking the shop redid my front valve cover gasket because of this very reason. I took it on the highway a few days after getting the car back from the shop and got a flashing check engine light that eventually went away and the next day it came back, checked it and it was for the air leak.

This is how it looks under my front valve cover. You can even see the brand new gaskets in the blue.

 

^
Get a can or two of the stuff below and hose down (becareful, make sure engine is cool) all the suspected areas you think are still leaking & monitor.



The is what the TL FSM displays about the P2279:

 

Zeta, thanks man for the helpful information. I really appreciate it 🙏🏻

 

After closer inspection, it does appear to be from the bank 2 cam shaft cap. Was charged for this as well supposedly they changed the o ring but I don’t think that was the case. 😂