jon1997cl

I have a 1997 2.2CL with 80K on it. It's starting to leak oil from the head gasket (I'm told). I don't think a car with this low miles should have this kind of problem.

Has anyone else had problems with oil leaks and/or had to replace the head gasket? Thanks.

niedejb

I'd believe it if it was the valve cover gasket but not the head gasket.

Got pics?

smoky14

Clean it real good and then spray foot powder over the area. The leak will show up as a stain in the white residue of the foot powder. Old trick we motorcycle mechanics use to find leaks.

siempre2211

hey check it out... my car did the same thing... i also have a 97 2.2 right... and i blew the one of those gaskets... well i took it to my Machanic .... and hes a good buddy of my girls step dad so he called around and told me that ACURA recalled something underthere... causing it to leake oil... i belive it was my valve cover gaskit... or something... just call your local acura and ask them about the recall.. everything was free even toweing.. 35 min away... hope this helps..

joeshmoe

If it was the head gasket, you'd be getting white smoke coming out of your exhuast. It's most likely the valve cover gasket or one of the small seals in that area.

AcuraCLSJ

I have a 2.2 and my car was pouring out oil so I took it to a mechanic and he said that it is from the crank seal or something. There is a recall for the crank seal from acura, i think. Check with them.

niedejb

The seal that you are referring to is the front balance shaft seal.

The recall is to put this retainer on it so it doesnt come out and let all of the oil out of the engine. Its behind the timing belt cover, BTW.

PerFecto

Hey! This is a j30a1 question but my intake has a dark residue all in the inside near where one of the hoses connects to it … one of my friends said that means there’s a leak … anyone here with a good answer to this?

KC CL 1785

If this was screwed up, you would know it. Primarily because all the oil in the motor would basically pour our of the motor. At least that is what I was told. Get it fixed before this happens

jon1997cl

Thanks for all the replies.

The leak is actually coming from the back of the engine just about "three pistons" away from the where the timing belt cover should be (see niedejb's picture. The right side is the back of the engine). You have to be underneath the car to see the leak. The view from the top is blocked by the instake manifold.

I had my front balance shaft seal retainer installed (via recall notice) some time ago and the leak is actully higher up on the engine so I'm sure that's not the problem.

My mechanic spent hours looking for it and concluded that it was coming from the point I mentioned.

The valve cover gasket appears to be clean but, I'll check it again. Thanks for all the suggestions!