Engine & Internal - Need advice on my SI engine

Hey there,
I have done a couple of my own repairs on my 2000 SI through the years. This week I am doing the brakes. Anyways I need some ideas as to if my oil leak is from exhaust manifold or valve gasket....

I know that this type of repair (if it gets to blown head gasket***doubtful) is pretty intense for anyone. [sm=badidea.gif]Can anyone help me out with advice, knowledge? I have the repair manuals on my car and am not scared of dirt lol.
I have attached some pictures of where I see the oil....
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Thanks
GirlwithanSIattitude[&:]


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Welcome... from the pictures I'd say it's either the valve cover gasket, or the cam seal. Seems too high up to be the head gasket. I'd clean off as much of it as possible with a wire brush and some degreaser... then keep an eye on it to see where it's actually coming from.

thanks for your response, do ya think its a difficult job if it is valve cover/cam seal?I guess I would need some special equipment.

Both are really easy, if you have a chilton's manual or haynes manual for your car it offers detailed information on fixing it.

Marty
Your the best! I have an online eautorepair from Michelin which using Honda corp specs. I do have Chiltons and a OBD II code reader from JC Whitney ordered and to arrive tomorrow. Hopefully it will come in the morning. BTW I dont really care too much for the eautorepair, its not thorough enough. I was at the auto store last night and was looking through Chiltons (knowing I already ordered this), much better.

It sounds like you have done this yourself, any pointers? Mind if I peep you with questions as I go through the process.

Thanks Bro:);)
GirlwithanSIattitude

Just follow the directions.... it's all bolts, haha... you just need a good torque wrench. It might also be the VTEC solenoid gasket, I didn't think of that one yesterday.

Ask away as I have done it a few times, MXS is also a great source for info on stuff. Like she said it is all nuts and bolts. Just read the directions and take your time. A bit of advice, go to the auto parts store and pick up some good degreaser and spray the hell out of the mess before working on it. Makes for a cleaner work area and alot easier to not pissed at what your doing. Also watch the valve cover bolts because they are really easy to break off when tightening down. I think they only need like 8 to maybe 20lbs of tq put on them.

VTEC solenoid gasket? Ok, thats one I havent heard of, is it along the same type of repair as the exhaust manifold, valve gasket? Yeah I have on my list torque wretch to pick up tomorrow. Is that left rear corner of the head?

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The solenoid is the whole #9 assembly in this picture, the gasket is part #12. Oil flows through there. The cam seals aren't pictured there, but the oil could also be coming from the o-ring behind the distributor.

sorry for the huge picture, haha

ya just be sure with the torque wrench its in inches. ;) i screwed up when changing water pump and grabed the wrong wrench. LOL ft lbs instead of inch lbs. o well.LOL easy fix at least...

looks like valve cover.... typical oil leak location.... just a dab of silicone in the tight corners around the cam shafts should seal the problem. just need alitle silicone and alittle rag to wipe off the oil around the gasket and off the head...

Thanks both of you! I appreciate the pictures and the tips...I am going to be playing around in the garage tomorrow (even if its freezing). I'll let ya know how it goes!