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Oil leaking from this thing

Joined
31 July 2002
Messages
514
Location
Harrisburg PA, USA
First, I have read all oil leak and cam plug posts. :)

My 95 experiences leaking/weeping that really only manifests itself by a burning smell and faint smoke coming from the engine compartment after spirited drives. The car had the valve cover gaskets replaced in June and a new oil pan and gasket installed about 400 miles ago. Some of the history of my problem are very similar to posts I have read concerning cam plug seals or spool valves:

* No oil on garage floor
* Oil located on front bank above exhaust/tranny closer to driver side
* Recently switched to Mobil 1 synthetic

Problem is I have never seen a cam plug or spool valve. I was under the car for a while tonight and traced the leak (I think) to this threaded do-dad. What is it?
 

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Brian - Thank you , I can take more pics if necessary. I really don't want to take it to the dealer until I know what that thing is. Relative position is too high to reach while under the car and too low to see viewing from the top of the engine. :confused:
 
Briank said:
I can't id what it is from the picture but I am guessing it is the oil pressure sending unit.

Page 154 of the online service manual indicates that the oil pressure sender is right above the oil filter. This leak is not close to that area. In the pic the oil pan is the black thing on the left side, so this thing is on the other side. Anyone?
 
Remember,

There are two oil pressure senders. One for the gauge and one is for the oil light. The one you reference by the oil cooler is the one for the light. I think Brian is refering to the unit located just below the front spool valve, at the tranmission end of the front cylinder head. It is a larger can type looking unit, sort of like half a small soup can.

If you could take a picture not so close up, it would give a better reference as the ecaxtly there the location is:)

HTH,
LarryB
 
Larry, Brian - thanks. Don't laugh at this next question. If this proves to be the source of the leak, can I do it myself (access it from outside the engine) or is this a hardcore procedure only for experienced mechanics?
 
I think you could replace it yourself. I would recommend removing the coolant tank and the air box so you can access it conveniently. I am not sure but you may have to unbolt the little 90 degree manifold from the head first and then unscrew the sender. So plan on getting a new O ring for that as well as a new sender.
 
OK, I took additional pictures last night but did not have time to upload them. Great news - it looks like I have two leaks, not one. I really got up in there with a flashlight and it appears that the spool valves are not the source.

Both leaks are on the driver side of the engine at the small, round , black plugs that fit between the cylinder head and the valve covers. One leak is on the front bank and one is on the rear bank. Acuracarland refers these pieces simply as "rubber."

I plan on having Bernie at Davis Acura do my T-belt, WP, 60K-mi service, adjust valves, etc in the spring. Shouldn't replacement of these things be standard with the major service?

Thanks for all your input.
 
kgb_agent said:
OK, I took additional pictures last night but did not have time to upload them. Great news - it looks like I have two leaks, not one. I really got up in there with a flashlight and it appears that the spool valves are not the source.

Both leaks are on the driver side of the engine at the small, round , black plugs that fit between the cylinder head and the valve covers. One leak is on the front bank and one is on the rear bank. Acuracarland refers these pieces simply as "rubber."

sounds like you are looking at the cam plugs.


I plan on having Bernie at Davis Acura do my T-belt, WP, 60K-mi service, adjust valves, etc in the spring. Shouldn't replacement of these things be standard with the major service?

There is no interval called out for plug replacement in the service manual, so it is not included with the T-belt change. It is best to have this work done in conjuinction with the major service to save money on labor though.

Dave
 
For further diagnosis, I would spray the area and clean it first. Then go for a drive and find out exactly where the leak is. On my '92, I was getting a puddle and everything on the lower drivers side was a mess. After clean up and drive, I found that only the oil pressure sender was leaking. Removal/install is pretty simple, just a bit of time. All you need is a 10mm socket and a 22mm crescent or large adjustable for the sender it self. The sender is a large "bell" shape located below and between the front and rear banks on the drivers side. If this is your leak, let me know and I can give you instructions for a first timer like myself. The new sender is under $200 from Niello Acura.
 
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