5point9Limited

These first two pics were take immediately after i degreased underneith the car. You can see that there is some oil up high near the sway bar.
Do you think that this leak is one of the common ones such as the oil filter housing or distributer? Thanks a lot for any input!





These pics were taken about 200miles after the degreasing. YOu can see the new fresh oil leaking down.

96TL_X

mine was coming from distributor .... bad o-ring

TexasHonda

Assuming you have a 2.5 TL (it looks like one from pics), the distributor and oil filter extension-engine oring are most likely and first place to check.

Check distributor by looking at rear heat shield (oil drain) on the distributor from the driver's side. Lean over as far as you can and use a good light to illuminate the shield/drain underneath the distributor. If you see oil in the shield, the oring on the distributor/cylinderhead opening is leaking or the distributor shaft internal oil seal is leaking, or both. The oil from both drains into same place, so only way to know is to repalce first distributor/cylinderhead oring and see if oil leak stops. If not, replace distributor, or live w/ oil leak.

Oil filter extension-engine oring is easier to diagnose. Look under intake mainfold w/ good light for the space beneath the oil filter extension housing. If you see a stream of oil draining away from the lower side, you've found part of the oil leak.

Given age of the 2.5TL's, it's likely both are leaking at least some.

Oil fiter extension is a relatively easy fix, but distributor is more painful, as a rebuilt distributor may be necessary. Best price I've seen is Autozone, about $190 (ouch!). I've tried rebuilding the distributor, but my first try is leaking as badly as the distributor it replaced.

Oil leaks are aggravating, but something you may have to live w/ in a 13 yr old vehicle.

good luck

TLBaller

Kamlung: can we get TexasHonda as a moderator in the 1st gen section?? This man knows 2.5TL like he built the car. He is always helpful and has been since he joined the site!

96TL_X

I agree!!!

5point9Limited

I agree! Thanks, Tex! I did not really see anything from near manifold, really seems like the "o" ring. There is a write-up here, correct? What could I expect to pay at a garage?

TexasHonda

Replacing a distributor oring requires battery removal, spark leads removal from distributor, and is a very awkward access to remove the 2 bolts holding the distributor. I would expect to pay at least 1-2 hrs labor. Oring is <$5 last I checked. I took 2-3 hrs recently on my 2.5TL to install my "home-rebuilt" distributor that is now leaking like a sieve. It's not a hard DIY, but a trying one.

Once distributor is out, pull the distributor cap and rotor. Look at the low side of the center shaft bearing/seal assy. If you see an oil stain at the 6 o'clock position, the shaft seal is leaking also. Shaft seal is under a bearing seal/retainer held by two screws. It cannot be accessed w/o removing the distributor rotor mount which requires grinding away the "staked" end of the distributor shaft.

good luck

5point9Limited

Thanks, Tex. I guess I should have specified that I meant it was coming from the oil filter area, which I though was an "o-ring". I will do a search.

As always, I appreciate the input. Just changed the diff oil, drained and refilled the trans and threw new plugs in. I'm at 144k, running beautifully. Just want to get this leak nipped along with a bad axle boot.

main70072

^ If it's coming from the oil filter area, most likely it's the "8" shaped oil filter base gasket part number: 15205-PV1-003