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Engine oil leak?

Tiny
KUJOS98ACCORD
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 126,000 MILES
Hi everyone, - I hope someone here can help me out. For the past few months, I have noticed that my oil is low when I change it at recommended intervals. I have been checking the oil level more frequently now and seem to be losing a quart every 1000 miles. The strange thing is that I park my car in the garage and there is no sign of a leak on the floor. I also watch for smoke coming out my exhaust and that is also negative. Does anyone have an idea about where my oil is going! Thanks!
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Saturday, March 20th, 2010 AT 12:27 AM

51 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi kujos98accord,

If there are no leaks, oil is being consumed by the engine. Sometimes oil consumption do not come out as smoke from the exhaust due to being recycled into the engine via the PCV system.

Check this guide out

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-is-leaking-oil

The catalytic converter would also reduce the amount of smoke coming out of exhaust.

Worn valve seals would result in the oil consumption.
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Sunday, March 21st, 2010 AT 3:46 PM
Tiny
CHELLE88
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 HONDA ACCORD
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 19,000 MILES
I have a 98 Honda Accord. The transmission has been slipping and this morning I came out to find a huge oil spill on my driveway. What could be the cause and is it expensive to fix?
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Check transmission fluid level. If level is low, slippping can occur.
Check for leaking hoses and bad seals.

The cost of repairs would depend on what is wrong. Leaking hoses would not be too expensive, a bad transmission could set you back $2000 or more.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RTURNAGE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 231,000 MILES
My honda starting smoking this morning and smelling like oil. After looking it over I found it had no oil. I looked all over and could not find any place it is leaking from. What can cause the engine to "burn" the oil? And what can I do to fix/prevent it happening in the future?
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi rturnage,

At the mileage and age of the engine, the valve seals should be dead so this would result in oil consumption.

To reduce the consumption, the valve seals would have to be replaced. If not you would have to monitor the oil level regularly.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
VISALIA96
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 210,000 MILES
I have a 1998 Accord LX 4cyl 210k miles. It has leaked oil for a while. I had the valve cover gaskets changed. Then it was still leaking. I took it back they said it was tightened to tight and cracked the gaskets. So they changed it again. 4-5 months later it was leaking again. I took it to someone else to change gasket. A couple of months later it started leaking again. So the question is is it them? Or is it warped? That is what I was told lately.

Also withing the last weak my car drags when I take off. It hessitates, the when I hit about 20mph it goes fine. If I slow down it does it again. And my engine light is just flashing while I drive. When I start the car no light is on. And the car accelerates fine. After a few minutes it drags & light starts to flash. I think maybe the fuel filter? Or the cap & rotor need to be changed? What is your opinion?
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
First thing you need to do is have the codes read, Autozone does it free, Post the results with the code number(s). Even if the service engine light is not on, there should be freeze frame data stored.
If it won't make it to Autozone, buy a cheap scanner, they can be had for 30-40 dollars, a good investment, since they cover all cars sold in the USA from 96 on.
As for the oil leak, is it leaking from thehead? Below the exhaust manifold, or above it from the valve cover? If the sharp edges around the bolt holes arent removed, it will keep leaking until this is done! The sharp holes cut the new gaskets!
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EUREKA405
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 107,000 MILES
My honda accord ex 1997 is leaking oils. I have it repair recently with replacing the joints but the leak is still there. What should I do? Thank you.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
What joints? Also, where was the leak located? Finally, if the shop was to fix the leak and they didn't, I would either ask for my money back or tell them to fix it correctly.

Let me know.
Joe
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PAULSMOM1999
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
I have a stupid question, I guess. I have a small oil leak. The spots are usually around the size of a quarter or so. It seems to be a slow leak, as in I put about 1/4 of a quart of oil in about a month ago and the oil level is still ok. I am wondering, and here is where the stupid part comes in, WHERE can the oil leaks come from - the front of the engine has oil on it about 1/3 of the way down. I know there are several different kinds of gaskets and would it be worth it to replace all of them?

As you can see, she has a lot of mileage but she is a great car and I want to fix this. In addition, if I can afford it, I want to have my timing belt and water pump replaced since I have 17K to go before I need it done again anyway and as you can see I drive this car a lot. Never has given me a minute of trouble. The first car I have ever had that was worth taking care of!

Also, do you know how much this might COST? I have a few thousand to spend but that is it. I know the price will vary by mechanic and by region. I am mainly concerned about getting the oil leak(s?) Fixed. If there is "extra" money available I'll do the tb and wp early. If not, I'll save up and wait.

Getting another car is NOT an option. This car is a great car.

I hope someone can give me a ballpark. I know it's kind of a weird question. ?
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
If the oil is coming from the front of the engine then it is probably either of the cam seals or the crank seal, or other item run by the timing belt. Have the t-belt and w-pump done, while they are in there have all of the front engine seals replaced, wont be much extra labor since they are in there for the belt anyway. If you have thousands to put into it, you will have plenty left over. Honda's are extremely reliable, seen them go way further than yours! Enjoy
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PAULSMOM1999
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for your advice! Yes, I was hoping to get the TB and the WP done at the same time if they were going to have to be in there anyway.

Now I just have to get the time off work to take it IN!

I also plan to drain and fill my radiator and my transmission, and check belts/hoses/etc. Etc. Etc.

This car is my beloved darling. I really appreciate your advice.

Paulsmom
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PAULSMOM1999
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks again for your help!

I took it to my Honda guy yesterday and they checked it out and there are just little leaks everywhere ha ha. I am going to do the timing belt and water pump and drain and fill the radiator and transmission while I am at it. I'm also going to have him toss on some new windshield wiper blades while he's at it.

It's going to run me around $1400. I'm happy to pay it for a car that is worth maintaining.

The car I had before this one (a Dodge) wasn't worth the paper the title was written on.

Thanks again for your advice. It's actually less than I thought I would have to spend. They probably thought I was crazy at my Honda guy's place. I was smiling and telling them how happy I was and that I'd happily fork over the money. This guy is so honest though. If it were some fly-by-night place but this guy does great work. He told me about the emissions extention warranty and he said, ''Well, I CAN do the work, but it will cost, whereas if you take it to the dealer it will be FREE." Pretty darn honest if you ask me. :-)

Thanks!
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TERRIHONDA1997
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 13,100 MILES
My car had an oil leak and was completely drained of all the oil. Previously, they thought the leak was coming from under the timing cover. Note: I had a complete timing belt/water pump replacement in 2004. So a few months ago, I have them replace the distributor O ring seal, valve cover gasket including spark plug tube seals and grommets, PCV valvue and all heater hoses. Yesterday another place after my car had no oil due to the leak, they replaced the distributor as they said the oil leaked in the the distributor. My question is do you think that fixed the oil leak for good?
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
First of all you ask a question that we have no possible way of answering. Consider this, we can't see the car, can't touch the car, can't smell the car, etc. Get the point?

I personally think you have been taken. If the tech that put on the orings to the distributor did it correctly, then there can be no leak and any leak would be so slow that a total loss of oil would take a very long time. Remember, the oil to the cam and around the distributor is forced up by the oil pump and is NOT submerged in oil.

Through all of this, you have never said what your observations were as to the source of the leak. You should always try to diagnose a problem yourself to atleast know the general problem so that a mechanic does not take you to the cleaners.

If the oil leak was at the distributor, your engine must be covered with oil.

Overnight, do you see a puddle of oil under the car?
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOELSTARTER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • 214,000 MILES
Seems to be leaking oil not sure if its motor or trans oil but theres a cap/top on the side of the trans I dont know what that top is called and seems to be running down from there and to the end
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If its coming from the cap/top on the side of the transmission-- it should be leaking red fluid if its an automatic transmission -investigate
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JJMCMAGANA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 190 MILES
Engine oil in is going into sprak plugs
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Remove and replace valve cover gasket and O rings
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HONDA TECH 1818
  • MECHANIC
  • 536 POSTS
I'm guesting that you got a dx or lx model. The rocker arm seals are worn.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)

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