MDX Rear Main Seal - Honda-Acura.net

kinneybip1 · 02-01-05, 11:38 PM

I've got a 2001 MDX with about 81,500. The vehicle has never given me any trouble since new. I change the oil every 3K with Mobil 1 synthetic 5W-30 blah blah blah. Well at somepoint between the last oil change and this one, it has developed an oil leak--and it looks bad to me. the bottom of the oil pan is wet as is part of the transmission case. I removed the little cover plate so I could see the flywheel (or at lest part of it) and it appears that the oil (and it is oil, not tranny fluid) is coming from behind the flywheel. Acura wants about 900.00 to fix it. The parts are 50.00 for the seal, axle seals, and crankcase gasket. I've got ALOT of experience with other cars but not hondas/acuras. I've not had any luck downloading service manuals or diagrams to help me with this. Anyone have any diagrams, torque specs, advice (other than shelling out the 900.00) on fixing this thing. Am I missing something?

Registered and logged-in users don't see this ad!
Register your free account today.

Provocateur · 02-02-05, 12:09 AM

I would try and pick up a service manual for your car so that you know what you are getting yourself into. I don't know much about your model, but I assume that the $900 is because the job is very labor intensive. The tranny will have to be dropped, the flywheel removed, oil seal removed and replaced. It sounds like a fairly difficult job especially if you don't know what you are doing.

crx2727 · 02-02-05, 12:30 AM

This is very common on Honda's and Acura's

Check out BULLETIN # 01-009

Engine block does porous at the rear.

I would highly recommend you to put engine oil dye.You can go into any parts store a buy it. Its about 5.00 to 10.00 . Just pour it in ...

It will point all the leaks on the by the rear main area..

I seen the rear main seal,rear main cover and the casting leaking

I have done alot of these

Do you have honda care warranty???

do you get your car service at honda all the time

Why I ask is sometime the service mgr. can do good will warranty work...

02-02-05, 12:30 AM	#3
crx2727 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: ca Posts: 6	V6 Oil Leaks This is very common on Honda's and Acura's Check out BULLETIN # 01-009 Engine block does porous at the rear. I would highly recommend you to put engine oil dye.You can go into any parts store a buy it. Its about 5.00 to 10.00 . Just pour it in ... It will point all the leaks on the by the rear main area.. I seen the rear main seal,rear main cover and the casting leaking I have done alot of these Do you have honda care warranty??? do you get your car service at honda all the time Why I ask is sometime the service mgr. can do good will warranty work...

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-02-05, 12:09 AM	#2
Provocateur On permanent hiatus Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: A forum with actual tech Posts: 9,716	I would try and pick up a service manual for your car so that you know what you are getting yourself into. I don't know much about your model, but I assume that the $900 is because the job is very labor intensive. The tranny will have to be dropped, the flywheel removed, oil seal removed and replaced. It sounds like a fairly difficult job especially if you don't know what you are doing.