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bushbean
07-20-2007, 09:53 AM
The new valve cover gasket that I just put in keeps letting oil leak into the timing belt compartment. I've tried gasket sealer, but it still leaks a little. Is it because I bought this $5 gasket from McPart store? Will genuine Honda gasket work better?

'A20A3'
07-20-2007, 10:08 AM
more than likely, yes. make sure you check the valve cover to make sure it's not warped or anything that might possibly cause a gap on that side.

also tighten it from the middle out and keep going over them adding more torque each time. not too tight though!

hope this helps. :wave:

evil88accordLX
07-20-2007, 10:11 AM
i replaced mine using a felpro gasket and the red gasket sealer, and havent had any issues with leakage from the valve cover since.

2oodoor
07-20-2007, 10:13 AM
make sure it isnt upside down, also are you sure it isnt the oil pump seal?

Pico
07-20-2007, 10:19 AM
I've used Felpro and O.E with a little bit of high temp sealer on the end caps only and havent had any problems.

'A20A3'
07-20-2007, 10:19 AM
could be the cam seal...

Vanilla Sky
07-20-2007, 10:39 AM
As a20a3 said, NOT TOO TIGHT. Honda calls for only 8 ft/lb of torque on those nuts.

2oodoor
07-20-2007, 10:55 AM
yea it isnt very much , not even a full wrist only turn, probably best to use nut driver actually.
Vanilla is that 8 ft lbs or 8 inch lbs?

'A20A3'
07-20-2007, 11:33 AM
foot pounds, and that is less than even hand tight so be careful. the oil pan is the same way except it's 9 ft/lbs on that.


good luck

edit - :lol: :lol: @ your avatar roodoo

MessyHonda
07-20-2007, 12:09 PM
i used a felpro.....and it looks likes its started to do a very small leak...i dont think it likes the 6k redline pulls.

88Accord-DX
07-20-2007, 03:34 PM
Also. If you want a good tight seal on the valve cover gasket, get some new acorns.

frantik
07-20-2007, 04:00 PM
make sure you clean really well all of the surfaces the gasket will touch :) and yeah get new grommets too if they're old

bushbean
07-20-2007, 05:05 PM
Yeah, I got the grommets. The old ones were really worn.

The leak is definitely coming from the valve cover because after changing it, every morning there is a small puddle of motor oil on the driveway.

88Accord-DX
07-20-2007, 05:15 PM
Try Fel-pro & loose the McFart one. Cheap=leak.

2oodoor
07-23-2007, 11:55 AM
foot pounds, and that is less than even hand tight so be careful. the oil pan is the same way except it's 9 ft/lbs on that.
good luck
edit - :lol: :lol: @ your avatar roodoo
I have heard old timers compare torque to how much effort it would take you to lift that much, you really have to be aware of what you are doing.

the avatar makes a good color test screen

w261w261
07-23-2007, 12:09 PM
I had problems until I bought the Honda gasket. After that everything was ok. This also was the case with my rear crank seal, only my mechanic didn't believe that his trash aftermarket seal could be the problem. He had to drop the tranny twice more to get it right. When the cost difference is small, Honda OEM to me is a no-brainer. At this point, I usually get Honda parts exclusively, half-shafts, hoses, etc. The quality variability on the other stuff is just too high.

The problem gets hairy when it's a distributor or somesuch. Then, the Honda "premium" is just too much.