Timing Belt Cover

[Sugarlow]

I believe oil is leaking from the timing belt cover. Do I have to take the inner wheel well out to get to it, or does any onehave any easier suggestions?

[Dumped91Hatch]

There shouldn't be any oil coming from the timing cover. If its toward the top it's probably the valve cover gasket. If its in the middle, probably the head gasket. At the bottom, main seal. Those are some of my opinions. I may be wrong though.

[Sugarlow]

Thanks for the input. I guess I am going to have to have a closer look at exactly where the oil is coming from. Mayby clean it up and wait for the leak to happen.

Thanks

[cot]

The thing is, there really shouldn't be any oil in there at all to "leak" out, so you probably need to take off the cover to get to it

I believe you need to take the valve cover off to get the top part of the timing belt cover off, then you may be able to get a better idea what's going on. It's fairly likely that it's leaking at the edge of the valve cover anyways, so if you pull it off you can see what the gasket looks like and replace it.

but if you're seeing oil actually come out of there, i'd assume the problem is a bit more gross than you're seeing, since it's reallly leaking from something another layer in.

I think once the top part of the timing cover is off you may be able to get the rest of it off without removing the wheel/splash shield, but i'm not positive.

All I know is there's a back piece to the cover that you have to put on before you put on the timing belt, and i found that out the hard way (didnt even think about the timing belt cover till after the new belt was already on) But you shouldn't have to take that bit off to see the leak.

[Sugarlow]

Is it possible that the leak is actually coming from the oil pan and getting "splashed" upward. I ask this because I see some "splashing" of oil on the underside of the hood (not alot) and "splashing" forward toward the radiator (again not alot). So I guess my question is.....could the crank pulley be "splashing" the oil upward since it turns clockwise (I believe)??

[johnb16a2]

There is a small drain in the bottom of the timing belt cover but I don't know if any fluids coming out of the drain will hit the crank pulley and cause the fluid to be slung around.

Listen to the others, take the upper cover off and all will become clear.

BTW, if it is your front main seal you will have to take the wheel off, remove the inner splash guard, take off the belts, take off your crank pulley bolt (with a big impact wrench), remove the crank pulley (don't lose the drift key), remove the timing covers, releave the timing belt tension, remove the bottom timing sprocket and there will be the $6 part you need to replace. Also while your there you should replace the timing belt and water pump if they're old. GL

[BullShifter]

Originally Posted by johnb16a2

BTW, if it is your front main seal you will have to take the wheel off, remove the inner splash guard, take off the belts, take off your crank pulley bolt (with a big impact wrench), remove the crank pulley (don't lose the drift key), remove the timing covers, releave the timing belt tension, remove the bottom timing sprocket and there will be the $6 part you need to replace. Also while your there you should replace the timing belt and water pump if they're old. GL

this should help during the process if you dont already own a good manual : http://www.binghamtonlife.com/manual/2gsm/default.htm

[cot]

yeah, though he should seriously buy a helm if he's gonna get that far into it

i never woulda gotten mine back together with so few leftover pieces without it!

[BullShifter]

Originally Posted by cot

yeah, though he should seriously buy a helm if he's gonna get that far into it

i never woulda gotten mine back together with so few leftover pieces without it!

That link is for a factory repair manual (Helm) - it may not be for the right model, but 89-91 Civic/CRX is pretty much covered.

[cot]

Yeah, but i think if you're gonna get into it, a paper copy you can work with is invaluable

[BullShifter]

but if no manaul is available the online version is better than any Haynes or Shitlons

[Magik Si]

Ummm...isn't there an "o" ring at the end of the cam shaft in that area (correct me if I'm wrong - cam shaft seal) that holds oil from escaping in that area?

I could be wrong...but the description of the problem is sparking a memory...

Jason