Timing Cover Oil Leaks – Cam Crank Seals

Hi, If I use the CR Brakleen on my engine, do I need to rinse or wipe the engine with water. Are there any precautions I should know about?  Otherwise, I would just spray the engine, without covering anything, and drive without drying. Is that okay?

Also, I am looking for oil leaks, possibly multiple. I recently changed the valve cover gasket. I have been told possibilities include, cam, front crank, and balance shaft, each in the same area. Also, rear main seal, and distributor seal, each in the same area.

Oil sensor, and oil pan gasket. Bottom of vehicle, frame, is covered with oil. I have a Honda Accord, with 211,000 miles. If the oil is leaking from an area with multiple possibilities, such as front crank shaft, cam shaft, and balance shaft, how am I to determine where the problem is? Again, I have been told different possibilities from different mechanics.

I must change the timing belt and water pump because it is likely covered in oil. If I change the wrong thing, I will likely have to change the timing belt again, because not changing the correct part will leave the timing belt covered in oil, yet again. So, thank You for reading this. Any response you give will be greatly appreciated.

Thank You

Hi there!

Wow 200K miles! You just spray on the CRC Brakleener and it will dry almost instantly. I would avoid getting it on rubber and electrical parts if you can though, although I have not had any problems if I quickly wipe it off those items with a damp cloth.

Those engine are notorious for having timing cover/cam seals leaks and can leak oil on the timing belt, thus causing it to break, thus causing major internal engine damage.

Sometimes it is really hard to tell if those seals are leaking until you remove the timing cover and the timing belt for inspection though.  So when you do replace the belt, change all seals as insurance, those other leaks should not get inside the timing cover and cause a problem.

90% of the time I do not change the water pump unless I see a problem with it, will save you a little money and time and HOPEFULLY will not be an issue later on.

The other leaks are not as dangerous, just a nuisance really, so unless they are major leaks I would just top off with oil and check daily. At that mileage it will be almost IMPOSSIBLE to stop all leaks, so I would not spend money trying.

Reader Follow Up

Okay, I appreciate the response. Just to clarify, when you say, “Change all Seals,” Do you mean just the cam, front crank, and balance shaft? Or do you also mean, rear main seal, and distributor seal? And do you also mean that it’s probably okay to just leave the oil pan gasket, and oil sensor alone? Again, any response you give will be appreciated.

Hello again
I mean I would replace all the seals inside the timing cover, front cam, crank and timing seals when you replace the timing belt. You are paying the mechanic labor time to replace 1 seal replace them all at the same time as insurance, regardless if they are leaking now or not they are all the same age.

The other leaks, if you have them will not do damage to the timing belt and will just leak oil on the engine and ground…causing a mess but no engine damage.

You need to be careful not to spend more money on oil leaks than the vehicle is worth, which is probably not very much 🙁

Here is the youtube video about the product CRC Brakleen

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Austin Davis