‘16 Pilot, crankshaft seal leaking?

[parshisa]

Changing the oil today, and for the first time ever noticed sweating on the oil pan. Traced back to grime/oil buildup in the crankshaft pulley area. I assume it’s the crankshaft seal leaking?

Last time oil was changed 7 months ago and 4,500 miles ago, haven’t seen anything. A year had the timing belt done, haven’t seen anything leaks either.

What are yalls thoughts?

 

[Ursatdx]

Very minor leak, if any, as per pics.
Probably could/should have been addressed when belt was done.
9 years old. I wouldn't sweat it.

 

[parshisa]

Very minor leak, if any, as per pics.
Probably could/should have been addressed when belt was done.
9 years old. I wouldn't sweat it.

It was bone dry a year ago and 10k miles when I did timing belt..
There was some pulling down on the oil pan, not dripping oil but sweating. Is that considered minor?

 

[Trav]

Very minor and not worth loosing sleep over. Do not be tempted to use a sealer in the oil, this engine uses RTV to seal the oil pan which does not tolerate some of the chemicals used in some of these seal swelling concoctions, you could end with a puddle not a weep and a really big job to repair it.
Next time if you do another timing belt change the front seal along with the oil filter mounting pad seal. The whole little set is around $20, don't bother with it now, it isn't worth it.

 

[Oliveoil2]

How many miles?

 

[parshisa]

How many miles?

98k

 

[Mechanician]

Oil pump seals are a common leak on this engine, when it gets old.
The tough one is the seal between the pump, and the block. They shrink with age, 9 years is probably not quite old enough.
Usually seen coming from up around the tensioner area, rear of the engine.
Oil pan has to come off in addition to the belts.

 

[Hall]

don't bother with it now, it isn't worth it.

I know a lot of people recommend replacing this seal (and the camshaft seals) when doing a timing belt job .... because you're there. If parshisa did want to replace this seal, how in-depth is the job ? I'm thinking the tensioner needs removed to get the belt and pulley off ? It can be re-used, I thought.

 

[Oliveoil2]

98k

Thanks, you could run a high mileage oil for a few OCI’s and see if that makes a difference. But I’d go straight to 4 OCI’s of Valvoline Restore and Protect and see where you are.

 

[parshisa]

Thanks, you could run a high mileage oil for a few OCI’s and see if that makes a difference. But I’d go straight to 4 OCI’s of Valvoline Restore and Protect and see where you are.

It’s a clean engine, I’ve always run 3-4K mi OCI on the car. Not sure how an oil with cleaning agents would help

 

[jtwrace]

Oil pump seals are a common leak on this engine, when it gets old.
The tough one is the seal between the pump, and the block. They shrink with age, 9 years is probably not quite old enough.
Usually seen coming from up around the tensioner area, rear of the engine.
Oil pan has to come off in addition to the belts.

View attachment 313605

This. It's a common issue.

 

[Hall]

This. It's a common issue.

Saw that video and it's sad.... People drive distances like this vs finding a trustworthy, local repair shop ?

 

[Mechanician]

I know a lot of people recommend replacing this seal (and the camshaft seals) when doing a timing belt job .... because you're there. If parshisa did want to replace this seal, how in-depth is the job ? I'm thinking the tensioner needs removed to get the belt and pulley off ? It can be re-used, I thought.

These seals are usually replaced for that reason only - "cause you're in there."
Many good seals get replaced - they're not a common leak.
Unfortunately it all has to come back apart, shortcuts would be a fool's errand.

 

[parshisa]

These seals are usually replaced for that reason only - "cause you're in there."
Many good seals get replaced - they're not a common leak.
Unfortunately it all has to come back apart, shortcuts would be a fool's errand.

Everything was bone dry when I replaced it. Hindsight 20/20. Fir crankshaft though, only timing covers and balancer need to come off?

 

[vssjim]

As stated above it is not the external normal seals it is the o ring behind the oil pump to the block

 

[parshisa]

As stated above it is not the external normal seals it is the o ring behind the oil pump to the block

I understand that it might be oil pump seals, but what makes you think it’s exactly that and not cam seals, or crankshaft seals? Just curious

 

[supton]

Saw that video and it's sad.... People drive distances like this vs finding a trustworthy, local repair shop ?

How many days (and dollars) spent finding one vs seeing what looks like one and cutting losses to whatever that trip is? No end to the number of bad shop stories out there.

 

[rijndael]

Saw that video and it's sad.... People drive distances like this vs finding a trustworthy, local repair shop ?

I can see how the story sounds good, but in reality, it seems far more likely that he may have been visiting family, been there for work, or something else that brought him to the area ... and this was just tacked on to the trip. I'm familiar with the area that guy came from, there are plenty of good shops.

 

[Nukeman7]

I understand that it might be oil pump seals, but what makes you think it’s exactly that and not cam seals, or crankshaft seals? Just curious

The oil pump seal leak is notorious on all variations of the Honda/Acura J35 engines. It's just a matter of time before the gasket hardens and shrinks. This oil leak is more common on J35's than camshaft and crankshaft seal leaks. It only lags behind valve cover gasket and VTEC valve leaks on Hondas/Acuras. Google it and it will be described on nearly every Honda/Acura forum.

It's a tedious job that should be performed during timing belt/water pump replacement to reduce labor hours.

 

[Hall]

How many days (and dollars) spent finding one vs seeing what looks like one and cutting losses to whatever that trip is? No end to the number of bad shop stories out there.

The guy somehow confused himself into thinking the dealer did the TB job in under an hour or they charged him $2000 (reasonable dealer cost) and did nothing. Any local shop could pull the covers to inspect it.