B16A2 oil leak

[ek Silva]

On the top part of the engine block I've notice a slight leak around the vtec solenoid.

I've heard that its a common leak but I just wanted to ask u guys if its a serious one and of its just a gasket or something that needs replacing.

23857

[na-118]

Not a big problem. Change the gasket, hose down the engine bay. Change the solenoid while your at it. But yeah, it is a common problem.

[ek Silva]

Alright thanks man. It's awesome to know that it isn't an engine killing problem xD.

Gaskets and solenoids are pretty cheap aren't they?

Also is it a job I could do my self with some YouTube and tools lying around? Haha

[na-118]

Solenoid and gasket should be about $150. Get in touch with JDMYard I'm pretty sure they stock them.

As for installation, you can do it yourself.

[ek Silva]

Yeah I've been down to Jdmyard a few times. Might ask them. Thanks for the help man.

[curtis265]

pardon my ignorance - why change soleniod? I thought it's only a seal?

[junoki]

looks like my prob,

ive just change solenoid seal and cam seal plug, havnt seen leak so far its been around a week.... my leak was same position

ive change my gasket around 40k ago so didnt need to change that, but if you havnt changed yours then do that as well and clean up that oil leak

[ek Silva]

Yeah she's in need of a good service. I need to change the oil and everything so ill do it all in 1 go.

Is the solenoid change necessary though?

[dc2r-0636]

Before u buy gaskets/seals that u prbz don't need, try identify where the leak is coming from.
Could also be from the dizzy O-ring or even O-ring in the dizzy.

Put ur finger under the dizzy and see if it has oil.

But yeh could be any gasket/seal
-vtec solenoid
-valve cover gasket
-exhaust cam seal
-dizzy o-ring/s

[ek Silva]

Alright ill probably degrease and hose down the block. That way I should be able to trace where exactly its coming from.

Im thinking that I might as well replace most of the gaskets since it hasnt had a good service since I bought it, other than the usual 10,000km service.

Ty for help guys.

[VT3C]

this is the 47th thread in relation to B-series oil leaks - PLEASE do a search before you post..
have you also tried Google ?

[ek Silva]

Lucky number 47 :D.

Sorry man now I feel like a wanker lol.

Just thought that there are a thousand different ways an engine can leak and providing a photo might be able to cut down what's causing it.

[dougie_504]

Looks quite high, but finding one leak doesn't rule out others. VTEC B-series have common leaks from the cam seal, VTEC solenoid (and also the solenoid top seal, as well as the side seal that attaches to the head), and head gasket.

You need to degrease it, then sit there pulling the throttle cable a bit to see if oil is leaking out between the head and block. If not then it's either the solenoid or cam. The solenoid is cheap to replace, no gasket glue necessary, but sometimes the surfaces don't mate flat. Cam seal isn't too hard either but make sure you know where it's coming from before you start replacing things.


I had to do my head gasket once and VTEC solenoid twice.