Oil leak in 04 CRV

[Stephans]

I have a brand new 04 CRV and the car is leaking oil since the day I have it (1-2 drop on the floor each morning)
My dealer states it is the first ever CRV they know of that has this problem.
It is also my first Honda problem after 6 honda cars.

The leak has not been fixed yet (due to hollidays), like what I can see it comes from the timing chain cover, just above the oil filter. (poor seal).
Anybody has some experience? :?: :(
Thanks
Stephan
Belgium

[Clownpuncher 2.4]

Welcome to the Club!!!

1 or 2 drops shouldn't be a problem at all since your CRV is brand new (breaking in). If the oil drop on the floor becomes the size of a quarter, have your mechanic check your CRV out. :wink:

[bobot]

what?!! shouldn't be a problem? it's NEW man! of course he will go back to the dealer ASAP. This is not normal. If I buy a new car i don't want any leaks, period! when it's 200,000 kms then it's acceptable. Give 'em hell.

[Stephans]

There is no question that the dealer will not fix it (he told me he will), the question is does anybody has had same experience?

[crvee]

I have a 03. I had the same problem. It was the gasket. The dealer replaced it and it's okay now. It leaked after 2 weeks and I didn't take it to the dealer till 4 months later. I check the oil level to make sure it does not fall too low all the times though. Where is the Honda quality?

[tez929rr]

It was the gasket.

Which gasket, the pan? Stephans shouldn't wait if any gasket is leaking. I think on a new vehicle no leaking fluid is acceptable.

[blueglide]

crvee,
I have a 03 CRV that has leaked oil since we got it in August. We have about 8,000 miles on car now. Which gasket was bad?
Thanks

[ramosrj]

Agree 150% with Bobot. The vehicle should not have a leak, Period. Obviously it does have a bad seal somewhere, and the dealer must fix it.

Fortunately I can't say I've had this problem with my '03 CRV. I can also say that my 126,000-mile '94 Corolla never had an oil leak either.

'04 CRV with oil leak = not acceptable.

[stevedebi]

Just read a post on another site in which a 2003 CRV caught fire after an oil change (the first oil change). Evidently the mechanic didn't remove the old ring seal from the outgoing oil filter, resulting in two ring seals under the filter. The oil spewed out onto something hot and that was that. The NHTSA site has 3 car fires for the CR-V. I don't think it is a design defect, but rather poor maintenance.

Point of the story - get that oil leak fixed ASAP! :shock:

[Patman]

I bet your leak is from synthetic oil! Everybody knows that synthetic oil is the debil :evil: It causes every known engine problem and even sneaks out with your car late at night to under aged drinking parties :shock:

OK so maybe there is some slight speculation there :roll: LOL!

A few drip could be anything from an oil filter that didn't get a good seal to over or under tightened pan bolts, to a loose gallery plug or improperly fitted seal. Bottom line is you may as well get it checked out before it turns into something that could leave you one the side of the road.

[snowie007]

Slight speculation? Omigosh.... what a statement about synthetic engine oil. I'll bet all the Bimmers, Porsche, Benz engineers (who insist on synthetic oils for their cars) are rolling on the floor laughing at you now. :roll:

I have a 03 CRV and not a single drop of oil leak. BTW, I put Amsoil 5W-20 synthetic in my V. :D

[bumpzter]

I bet your leak is from synthetic oil! Everybody knows that synthetic oil is the debil :evil: It causes every known engine problem and even sneaks out with your car late at night to under aged drinking parties :shock:


ROTFL. Good one, Patman. You hit the nail on the head!

I used synthetic on my last car, and damned, I could not bypass a pizza joint. :P

[Patman]

ROTFL. Good one, Patman. You hit the nail on the head!

I used synthetic on my last car, and damned, I could not bypass a pizza joint. :P

See the pizza thing is a result of Italian companies using it as well! I sure wouldn't want to see what happened if you were delivering pizza in a Yugo with synthetic oil passing a cheap sushi bar :shock: I don't even like pineapple on pizza so I can't imagine an old piece of maguro being good on a bed of dough and seaweed. Maybe with enough wasabi though... :wink:

[Stephans]

Next week my dealer will repair it, I hope it is not the cylinder head gasket.
Like I see it is the camshaft chain cover seal (not easy to locate).
Anyhow I do not like the idea that my brand new engine must be opened !

[bumpzter]

See the pizza thing is a result of Italian companies using it as well! I sure wouldn't want to see what happened if you were delivering pizza in a Yugo with synthetic oil passing a cheap sushi bar :shock: I don't even like pineapple on pizza so I can't imagine an old piece of maguro being good on a bed of dough and seaweed. Maybe with enough wasabi though... :wink:
LOL. LOL.
Patman, you're a scream. Made my morning. :lol:

[fbrcpa]

I had a leak on 2002 CRv - dealer finally found it to be leaking from the timing belt housing. He said it was very difficult to find it and took a day and a half to fix it.

So far, it seems ok.

[Stephans]

Oil leak is repaired.
It was the timing chain cover seal.
About 2cm of liquid sealing was missing!
New seal and the case is closed!

Happy V :wink:

[bobot]

what!!!! sounds like a common leak. should look at mine to see if there is a leak also. where about is this timing chain cover seal stephans?

[bechtoea]

Furthermore, it makes sense that the leak would be there since this is the FIRST Honda automotive engine with a timing chain. The other use belts.

[bobot]

and why would using a chain, instead of a belt produce more chance of a leak?

[tez929rr]

Honda bike engines have had cam chains (except for a few with gear driven cams) since the 70's with no problems except some hydraulic chain tensioner issues. No leak problems.

[Stephans]

The oil leak was located above the oil temperature sensor. (above the oil filter).
You need a mirror to locate it from the engine compartment.
The timing chain cover is at the left side of the engine (if you are in front of the engine compartment).
I am sure if no oil is on the floor, there will be no leak at all.

[Stephans]

and why would using a chain, instead of a belt produce more chance of a leak?


A belt has an "open" cover, no need for oil lubrification.
A chain uses a sealed cover.