On this 2003 Honda Accor with the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine, the variable valve timing solenoid (VTEC Solenoid) and valve cover gaskets were leaking. Here's how to replace them!
Probably one of the best "How To" videos I've seen on youtube. Clearly detailed and comprehensive without any background noise or interference. Others have music playing in the background or seem to be unsure of themselves when narrating. To the point and right on target. Thanks.
This video has been one of the best I've seen in replacing both, the valve gasket and the solenoid. Since I'm going to replace both, I will also replace the coils and spark plugs in one shot.
This is a very descriptive video with excellent camera footage. I had a 2003 2.4 with about 400k mi., so after i changed those common oil leaks i gave the vehicle to a friend in more dire needs in central america, one of the best engines ever made. I loved driving this vehicle it was hard to let go.
My wife has a 2003 also with just 180,000. I told her no need to buy another this one will last her many more years because she doesnt drive much. The steel coolant line just started leaking and I'm having it fixed.
@Howdy Doody Can you please tell me what the symptoms are of a "steel coolant line leak"? I just want to be able to recognize it if it were ever to occur to my 2007 H.A. Thank you.
This is a fantastic video. I’d offer two suggestions. 1. Don’t use that much RTV, less will be sufficient and you don’t want RTV getting in the head. 2. While you have the valve cover off, clean the inside well and more importantly, replace the spark plug tube seals.
This video is clear, precise, to the point and is very informative. Clear narration. The reminders such as do not over torque the bolts when reinstalling, and to place the silicone at those 4 points when replacing the cover and to secure the gasket within the grove are invaluable. Any disregarding of those points could be disastrous and can be easily over looked by the casual "Do it your self - er" GREAT VIDEO
To replace the vtec solenoid you dont need to remove ANYTHING, just deep 10mm socket and reach around the back of the engine. Super easy, use your left hand inbetween the serpentine belt and engine to line yourself up onto the 3 bolts if you need to
I didn't do all this either. Just removed the 3 screws and cleaned and replaced the gasket. Not even the clips holding the wires in place did I have to remove.
I have same year like yours... I spent valve cover gasket 35 buks, vtec solinoid gasket 10 buks, 10 buks strainer same time changing oil compared to 350 buks altogether including labor.. saves me a lot by diy so easy ...
Christian Matta yes I have four Honda accords. For my 2005, I recall I needed the car up as I worked it from top and bottom. I just used floor jack and put on stands
Thank you for this video. I know it was posted like five years ago but just like TV shows in syndication if I haven’t seen it is new to me. Thank you so much.
very simple english and clear voice easy to understand for non englishman. Clear video and very helpful. i confident to DIY coz in workshop sometimes long Q even this basic job. TQ
Hardest part is getting the valve cover back into place. Disconnecting power steering hose at the pump allows the valve cover to drop easily back into place.
Just use cord to pull hose out your way and tie it while your put the cover back on or have junior come out and help earn those cocoa puffs and learn something.. Removing the power steering hose can a be a mess and it has an o-ring you have to be careful with.
Very helpful video. I attempted this job today. A lot of blood was shed. Nothing was as easy as it appeared in the video. I was unable to complete the vtec gasket change. One of the bolts rounded off and nothing I tried worked at getting it out. Then I lost one of the other two bolts! Smh. The job can be very risky. I almost dropped a socket down into the timing-chain cover. Having said that, cleaning the gasket surfaces can also lead to debris getting into the engine. I used brake cleaner to clean around the valve cover before removal. Once removed, I swept the debris away from the internals. Then used a scotch pad and brake cleaner to prep the gasket surface. The spark-plug grommets were brittle and difficult to remove. I had to pry them out with a screw driver.
Excellent video Daniel this made that solenoid detachment seem like a breeze! Much easier than Eric the Car guy. With the valve cover removed and all ignition coils off, would that be the perfect time to change all 4 spark plugs as well? With the cover gone the plugs should be easily visible. Great job!
FYI when changing the spool gasket you also have 3 o rings on the top, one for the pressure sensor and two inside the solenoid. One on top and one at the base. Mine were leaking after I changed the main seal to the head.
Thank you. I have a 2007 H.A. and none of the brilliant mechanics I've gone to and spent money on have been able to figure this out 😑. Now I have to take them this video. If I had the drive and tools, I'd do this myself. I'm getting to the point that I am going to start fixing some of this myself 😒
A tip I have for reinstalling the gasket is get some of the Indian Head Shellac you see used and apply it on the corners and center of the sides, it'll hold the gasket in place and is harmless to the gasket.
thank you !!!! Great video. I have 289k miles on my car and runs great, but using too much oil ( i could not see the leak ?????). I think I am going to follow the video. Thank you again
My 97 LS400 with 286k still has the original FIPG gasket done at the factory....way better then a traditional gasket for durability and longevity. It's just now starting to get wet around the area but not leak.
@DanielJaegerFilms When you removed the VTEC Solenoid, by taking out those three 10mm bolts. You did this through the top & not the bottom of the engine right? I am also wondering if you had to remove the PS pump as well. In the video it looks like you did not have to.
I have a 2010 Honda Accord LX-P with a 2.4L 4cylinder. It started noticeably leaking oil yesterday. Oil looks to be pooling/dripping from the primary catalytic converter lower mounting tab. Do the gaskets repaired in this video tend to pool on the cat converter lower mounting tab? Any help here would be much appreciated.
Great video. Very easy to follow with clear explanations and video. I, however, would have used a lot less sealant, as you only need to bridge a very small gap. But wondering if maybe your approach is better.
4:32 I used a 65 mm long headless M6 screw as a guide in one of the holes to install the solenoid by feel; once its on the guide, thread in two bolts, next take out the guide and install remaining bolt.
My 3 bots on solenoid are rusted and seized ,not sure i sprayed some stuff on it and gonna try again ,but looks like a mechanic job at this moment . I will do the cover gasket next spring.
I got the same exact car and it's leaking oil everywhere. It needs a new valve cover gasket for sure. I'm just waiting for my replacement to come in the mail tommarrow.
I’ve been told to fix the gaskets in the oil filter adapter housing unit. However I have not been able to find a video tutorial for one on a 2003 Honda accord. I saw a lot on other Honda accords that are different years and modles though. Do you have any videos or know of anyone who might have one who shows where the oil filter adapter housing unit is on a Honda Accord 2003
Hi Daniel Jaeger , your honda Accor just look like my honda Pilot 2003 leaking oil under all wet. now my pilot keep stall about mileage drive,I bring to Honda sevice they scan show oil temp failure.they did not tell me why the oil temp failure.please, give me any idea. thanks.
I want to ask, I have a Honda Civic 1.7cdti it has 217,000km of lubricating oil on the occasion where the turbine is located, and I find streaks on the ground, the car retreats, I do not lose compression, what can it be? everyone can say?
had to replace the valve cover of my car a few weeks ago and damn was the old one hardned. It wasn't even slightly flexible anymore, it was like hard plastic. Getting the valve cover was also a real pita due to that as it all had backed onto the cylinder head.
Nice job. Apply RTV right on some oil. That helps with the curing process real nice! Don't worry about cleaning off the old RTV from the corners. Just apply new stuff and run it. #quality
I just did this job in my Honda accord 2007 2.4. I replaced the whole kit of seals....but still I have a leak, and I don't know where is coming from. Still, I can see the oil filter is wet. I did the job in the same way you showed in the video....there is something else that I can do??🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔 Please advise and thank you.
My 04 Accord has 265,000 and still going strong......probably be doing this to mine over the weekend. but i bought it used and didn't get to enjoy all these trouble free miles.......lol
Actually. Once you have that vtech out the sensor is on top. You will need a deep socket in the 22mm range some could be a bit bigger or smaller if it oem or not.
