[mic]

I used to do this stuff myself, but now that I'm retired it is physically difficult for me do the most routine maintenance. So, I've got a fellow here in Encinitas, CA, Encinitas Foreign and Domestic (Specialists!) who I trust to do these things for me.

Well that trust was called into question last winter when the mechanic showed me the evidence of an oil leak in the vicinity of the right front (passenger side) engine mount. He couldn't tell exactly where it was coming from, but since it was under warranty I should take it to the dealer.

Hohen Honda, Carlsbad, CA: "These things don't leak oil." was the initial response from the service rep. Twenty minutes later the service rep informs me that the guy who changes my oil neglected to tighten the oil pan drain plug.

Winter turns to spring, spring to summer, no oil leaks.

Today I bring the "Squirt" into Encinitas Foreign and Domestic for an oil change and talk to the manager showing him the "results" of the dealer's inspecion. He is doubtful. He takes pictures. There is still an oil leak high on the side of the engine near the mount. There is no oil leaking from the drain plug. And, if there was, how would it get all the way up the side of the engine?

So my question to the group is: How best to present this information to the dealer who appears to have covered up the problem last winter?

Thanks for the insight.

Michael

 

[eastender43]

Too late

Sorry,IMHO you waited too long....last winter is ancient history,you have to act on these things immediately,or ASAP anyhow.

How much oil is leaking?Enough to leave a puddle?Or just what we like to call "seepage"?

If it is leaving a puddle,then something probably needs to be replaced.
If it is just stained with oil,then perhaps something is loose,or your PCV system is pushing out some oil(mine does,into the airbox)or something more mundane like the valve cover gasket(Which also seeps a tiny bit)

Try to isolate the EXACT location of the leak...clean up the area perfectly,get it very dry,then idle the car and look for dampness,or drive a short distance and carefully check,using a bright light.

When you know more,post up...Hope this helps.Bob

 

[mic]

Bob,

Thanks for the quick response.
We took pictures of the "seepage" noting it's location near the top of the engine that could not have come from the drain plug.

I will return to the dealer next week and share these with the tech rep and go from there.

Michael

 

[Willie Williford]

From your description, without being exact, I would guess it is the "camshaft plug" on the end of the engine. It is a black colored plastic flat plug with an O ring on it. It is a press fit on the head assembly. I believe there was one other case of oil seeping from there on this forum a long time ago.

Willie.

 

[mic]

Thanks Willie,

I'll take this information to the dealer this coming Tuesday. It's always good to have something more specific to point to.

Michael

BTW, If you decide to come over to the beach to cool off, you're more than welcome to visit us in Cardiff.

 

[mic]

Willie,

I checked the plug you described (It's about the size of a silver dollar) and the good news is that it isn't leaking. Dry as a bone all around. The pictures the mechanic took of the leak from below the engine whilst on the lift show oil dripping (slowly) from the bolts under the engine mount which is right next to this cam plug. But the top of the mount, next to the plug is dry! WTF?

 

[kapps]

Does Honda use an oil filled engine mounts? There were some problems on MINI's with the upper mount leaking oil.