# 1998 Civic D16Y Engine Oil Leak Problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** civic, oil, leaks, honda\ **Created:** [October 30, 2009, 12:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-civic-d16y-engine-oil-leak-problem/38792 "2009-10-30T00:14:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![civicwad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e480ec/32.png) [@civicwad](https://community.cartalk.com/u/civicwad)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2009, 12:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-civic-d16y-engine-oil-leak-problem/38792/1 "2009-10-30T00:14:59Z")
I have a civic that has an oil leak from what appears to be the distributor shaft. I had the O-ring seal replaced on the shaft, but it started leaking again right away. The distributor was replaced by the previous owners for some reason and I wonder if it was a refurbished variety they had installed with a possible problem. Or maybe it isn’t the distributor that is leaking. It sure looks like it with oil pooling up underneath where it mounts to the engine block. I also wonder if it is the main seal between the engine and transmission and allows oil to seep around the entire bolted connection point. Has anybody had similar issues or am I dealing with something more severe than I hope? ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2009, 2:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-civic-d16y-engine-oil-leak-problem/38792/2 "2009-10-30T14:40:45Z")
You should go right back to whoever did the O-ring. The problem wasn’t fixed. Could the oil be coming from the valve cover? ---
**Author:** ![civicwad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e480ec/32.png) [@civicwad](https://community.cartalk.com/u/civicwad)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 11:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-civic-d16y-engine-oil-leak-problem/38792/3 "2009-10-31T11:30:44Z")
Thanks for the response. I suspected the work wasn’t done properly because the problem got worse afterwards. It was a reputable shop, but I guess even they have bad days. There is no leakage I can see around the Valve cover. As I stated in my post, the original owners replaced the distributor back in 2008 for some reason (I have the receipts) with a small shop in middle Ga. I will plan to replace the O-ring again. Maybe I should order a factory o-ring since some may seem to fit, but may be a few thousands off. Is this a job a decent DIY’r could handle? Thanks again, CW