Possible oil leak around pump gasket?

2011 HONDA ODYSSEY
216,667 MILES • 3.5L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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ETERNALARIANNE
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I had the van in the shop for a valve adjustment and they did the full visual inspection. They said I had a leak around the oil pump gasket and showed a video. To me it looks like "road grime" all over the bottom of the pan and sides of the motor. They said this type of leak can get into the timing belt and cause it to fail prematurely. I just had the timing belt done around 15K miles ago and they didn't mention a leak, so this must be a newly formed leak? I also haven't noticed any drip in my driveway and the oil level is always good.

I was going to spray some degreaser all of over the bottom of the motor and try some of that AT-205 (that I've heard many mechanics recommend for Hondas with any kind of leak) and see if it is indeed a leak. I just can't afford $1700 to have it fixed right now I just dumped $$$ on the valve adjustment.

If there is indeed a leak there that just formed recently, how worried should I be, especially with trying the AT-205 that might fix it?
Apr 11, 2026 at 6:07 AM
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STRAILER
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You have the right idea, If you don't see any leak on the ground I would do the cleaning and keep an eye on it, if the problem is just a "seep" you should be okay to let it go. You may want to try Lucas engine stop leak because it can help swell the seals and get them to stop leaking. Please upload a short video in your response of the problem, so I can see what's going on if needed. Ken
Apr 12, 2026 at 8:43 AM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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I trimmed the inspection video to just the part where he's talking about the oil pump gasket leak
Apr 12, 2026 at 9:03 AM
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STRAILER
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Thanks for the video. Yep that is one the line for a oil leak bad enough for a repair. This will be your call to let it go are make the repairs.
Apr 12, 2026 at 9:55 AM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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I know it might be difficult to judge, but let's say it is leaking onto the timing belt. Since the belt was just changed around 15K miles ago, would it last until the next timing belt change at 300K? The reason I'm asking is I think they replace the timing belt as part of the repair, and I don't want to "waste" the new timing belt I just had put on by replacing it yet again...
Apr 13, 2026 at 6:19 AM
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STRAILER
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Yep, if the engine oil is getting onto the timing belt that is a problem and the seal will need to be replaced. Can you remove the cover to see if that is the case?
Apr 13, 2026 at 8:57 AM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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Well hopefully I can squeeze some time out of it since I just had the timing belt done and it's like $1700 for the fix
Apr 13, 2026 at 8:58 AM
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STRAILER
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Yep, chances are you are okay since the oil is not dripping on the ground.
Apr 14, 2026 at 7:34 AM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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I was looking through the maintenance records and at some point they said the "rear main seal" was leaking but they never fixed it and it was never mentioned again in the records. Could this be where the leak is actually coming from? Also, I have started to see some kind of fluid on the ground now but the oil and transmission levels are fine...
May 2, 2026 at 1:58 PM
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STRAILER
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On a 15 year old car an oil "seep" is normal. how big is the puddle, can you upload an image?
May 2, 2026 at 5:09 PM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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Attached an image of the fluid spot on the ground. Again, oil and transmission levels are good. Brake fluid and PS are good. Coolant was at the MIN line but not empty
Image (Click to enlarge)
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May 2, 2026 at 5:30 PM
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STRAILER
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Yep, that is too much. It does look like it can be the rear main seal by the position of the leak. We need to raise the front of the car for inspection. Thanks for the image, it helps.
May 2, 2026 at 5:57 PM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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So based on the video I posted earlier and this, is it possible it's the rear main seal and not the oil pump gasket?
May 2, 2026 at 5:59 PM
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STRAILER
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Oil can travel for sure but from what I see I would think the rear main seal is leaking, we need to get the car in the air for inspection underneath.
May 3, 2026 at 9:29 PM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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I put some cardboard down under the car and parked over it for a few hours. I got about a tennis ball size spot of fluid that is definitely oil based on the look and smell. And it's directly in the middle of the engine so either the rear main seal or oil pan for sure.

I guess I have two leaks but the oil pump gasket isn't as bad...
May 4, 2026 at 7:00 PM
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STRAILER
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Yep, that is what it looks like, if the oil leak showed up all at once it is most likely the rear main seal popped out which is common.
May 5, 2026 at 2:27 PM