Engine Belts And Pulleys problems of the 1996 Honda Accord

Problems with vehicle's fans being inoperative and an oil leak. The consumer was advised as a precautionary action to replace the timing belt, water pump, all the drive belts, and front end work. The consumer then complained that the fans did not work properly. The consumer than was advised that the vehicle needed a front engine mount. The consumer noticed an oil leak. In fact, there were several leaks and the vehicle needed a new fan, shroud, motor, coolant, and fuse. As a result the temperature gauge repeatedly approach a dangerous level (had to modify driving habits), and was unable to use the a/c due to possible overheating. There were two new locations of high concentration of oil; rear main oil seal leak where the transmission was removed, and the balance shaft leaked (under warranty) which required an oil pump, gaskets, and seals.

Balancer shaft seal cover, lower area of motor was being scraped by timing belt, causing chirping noise at low mph, I. E. 5 mph.

Seal belt retainer "popped out" resulting in timing, combo, & p. S belt being replaced along with the oil seals at a cost of $354.

Complete drainage of oil from engine due to balancer shaft oil seal failure. Oil blown onto engine, undercarraige and timing belt.

Oil seal failed with no warning while dirving at low speed in parking lot. Oil loss estimated at 1 quart per 3 minutes at engine idle rpm. When driven (after oil refill) oil soaks l. Ft. Brake caliper and all engine belts. Immediate response to oil pressure warning light prevented driving to engine seizure.

While stopped at a traffice light, the oil pressure light started flashing. I immediately pulled into the nearest business I thought would have a mechanic, which was a quick oil change type place. Oil was pouring from my engine. Seals and belts had to be replaced, including the timing belt so the repair was over $500. However, my car was still leaking oil (which it had never done before). Soon after I received Honda's balancer shaft seal recall info in the mail. The problem described seemed to be precisely what happened to me. I took my car to an authorized Honda dealer to have the repair inspected and to have the oil leak checked out. I left with another $250 bill and the mechanic felt that my problem had not been the balancer shaft seal because the mechanic at the quick change place incorrectly listed a part replaced as an oil seal on the invoice. The mechanic who did the original repair told me that it was definitely the bal shaft seal that he had replaced and offered to consult with the Honda tech. Honda tech was unresponsive and uninterested in hearing from the mechanic. After I sent in all the documentation and request for reimbursement I recently received more info from Honda, which instructed me to again have my repair inspected by a Honda dealer. Again I left with a $450 bill in another attempt to fix the persistent oil leak. I have submitted all the info and invoices to Honda and am waiting on reimbursement.

Same exact incident happened to another car I owned, Honda Accord lx 97, at the same mileage range (59k-60k). Only with Accord 1996, I was fortunate enough to stop on time, and was able to save the engine. Whereas, in the Accord 97 situation, I was too late, all of the oil came out, and engine was irreparably damaged. The cost of repairs for Accord 97 was $2,000, it required a whole new engine + oil pump, change of seals and belts. According to the Honda Accord manuals, maintenance (change of timing belts, etc. ) on the car should be done at around 90k miles, excluding the regular oil changes. Therefore, both incidents were not related to a delayed maintenance, but to an irregular failure of the oil pump and the oil seal. Both cases are identical on similar cars and deserve to be investigated.

While traveling at approximately 40 mph, my oil light came on. Thankfully I was just reaching my destination. I got out of the car and saw that oil was pouring out of it! had I driven this way, According to my mechanic, my engine would have been destroyed. I had to replace all of the oil-soaked belts, etc due to this part failure. I have seen spoken to several people who have had the same problem (one of whose car's engine did "blow up"). The local Honda dealership told me that this was a commonly known defect in the seal. This particular seal is generally changed at around 90,000 miles when the timing belt is replaced. Unfortunately, the dealership says, many seals break 15-20 thousand miles prematurely causing major damage to the vehicle. I have been told this particular part may be recalled in the near future; I feel this would be an appropriate action for this situation.

While driving, oil light indicator suddenly started flashing. Pulled off highway and proceeded to nearest gas station. I told the gas station mechanic that my oil light indicator had suddenly started flashing. Gas station mechanic opened up the hood and checked the oil. Dipstick came up dry. All oil had been lost. Gas station mechanic proceeded to put two quarts of oil in vehicle. While doing this gas station mechanic noticed that there was a major oil leak. He informed me that there had been reports of a defective oil seal in 1996 Honda Accords and he advised me to take the vehicle to the nearest Honda dealership. At that time, I contacted my insurance company who provided towing services. Vehicle was towed to ed morse Honda on us1 in fort lauderdale, florida. I advised mark greene, service attendant at ed morse, of what had happened. I also told him that the gas station mechanic had mentioned a defective oil seal. I left vehicle at dealership and they promised to call with an estimate. When mr. Green called back with the estimate, he informed me that the oil seal would not be covered by Honda. The cost to fix the oil seal was $510. Mr. Greene also recommended replacing timing belt and water pump for an additional $170.

Oil indicator light came on while driving. Lost all oil in engine. Balance shaft seal leak. Timing belt, other belts replaced. $400 repair.

While driving, oil indicatior light started to falshing. Lost all oil in engine. Balance shaft seal burst. Timing belt and other belts replaced. Cost $700. Also, passenger's side door (front & back) power locks are inop.

While driving-oil indicator light flashing. Indication of loss of all oil. Able to make it to dealership where they had no knowledge of why this would happen. Discovered that balance shaft seal & cam shaft had popped out. Resulting in loss of all oil in engine> this is front balance shaft. All belts and fluids needed to be replaced at a cost of $483. 22. Which has not been paid. Questioned the service manager regarding this as a factory problem. Told no. Even though service bulletins have been issued regarding this problem for the past 5 years. A clip in needed to be placed on these shaft seals to prevent the problem from continuing to occurr again. Unfortunately when reviewing the work order there is no indication that the clip was applied. Contacted manufacturer said they knew a problem exists but would not accept responsibility for cost and possible permanent damage to engine vehicle. They refused to supply me with the complete bulletin regarding the problem. One service mgr at anotherdealership said this problem is been going on for years and Honda will not acknowledge factory defect.

Re-submit//state reported incorrectly. While driving oil light indicator came on/lost all oil in engine. No prior warning. Able to make it to dealer told that balance shaft seal popped out and also cam shaft seal popped out at same time. Required to replace both seals and all fluids/all belts replaced -cost - $483. 22. Dealer claimed no knowledge of prior notification from manufacturer of problem or offer to contact manufacturer for payment and cost responsibility. Able to obtain information from this site that service bulletins issued on both 1995/1996 Honda Accords with this problem. Dislodged seal on the front balancer shaft. Dated 10/96. Bill not paid. Contacted manufacturer at first acknowledged defect and remedy but refuses to confirm in writing. Clip is needed to be installed on vehicle which will enable problem from occurring again. Clips are being installed now as part of maintenance when belts are changed at 90,000 and above but manufactuer will not install clips on cars without customer taking financial responsibility. One dealer whom I contacted indicated that I should have been aware of the problem and brought car in before warranty expired. This problem exists on both 1995 and 1996 Accords but the manufacturer refuses to supply me with complete service bulletin and has told me that they are unaware of such a bulletin in existence. I hope that this information in able to be posted in it's entirety so that others who have been or will experience this problem know of the condition and the manfacturer's position. I.

While driving oil indicator light came on -lost all oil in engine. Balance shaft seal popped out along with cam shaft seal resulted in loss of all oil no prior warning. Cost 483. 22 repaired at dealership. All belts required to be changed. Manufacturer refuses to accept resp for cost. Dealership did not inform of service bulliten notification dtd 10/96. Clip needed to be installed to avoid re-ocurrance. Nhtsa should be made aware that these clips are being installed on cars when belts are changed for masintenance at 90,000. But what of the owners where their engines are destroyed because Honda refuses to make the necessary repair before problem occurrs. They refuse to supply me with complete copy of service bulletin. I have not paid the bill and will not because this is a defective part and manufacturer has been aware of this even on 1995 models. I hope that you consider posting this entire message for other owners.

Balancer shaft seal leak in the engine; full timing belt, water pump, other belt, belt compressor to be replaced at cost of $750.

While driving, the oil light started flashing. I checked the oil level and found that it took almost 4 quarts of oil to fill it back up. I then started the car to see why and where the oil was coming from and it was gushing out of the timing belt cover. I had the car towed to my dealer and they told me it was a blown balancer shaft seal. After everything was added up, it cost $653. 80 to repair. We complained about it to the dealer when the car was being repaired, but were told it was a wearable part that we were unlucky enough to have go. My father recently told me he read in a local newspaper automotive column that a woman had the same problem. I looked up the NHTSA website to see if there were any others who may have had the same complaint, and was very surprised to find out there were quite a few. Had my wife been driving the car on the highway with my 15 month old son, and the engine failed due to loss of oil, it could have been a very dangerous situation. If enough people complain of this problem hopefully Honda will issue a recall; however, we are still out $653. 80.

A few minutes after leaving a retail business, the businessman called me on my cell phone to advise me there was a large amount of fresh oil where I had parked. I immediately pulled over on the freeway only to find oil gushing out of my engine. I immediately exited the freeway and went to the 7-11 at the top of the exit ramp. I added 4 quarts of oil and drove straight to the Honda dealership approximately 5 miles away. By the time I arrived at the dealership all the oil had gushed out again. The dealership said the seal on the front balancer shaft had become dislodged. They said it would cost $750 to repair. The timing belt was full of oil so it too had to be replaced. If it wasn't for the alert businessman and the fluke that I had given him my phone number, I never would have been aware of the problem until either the engine seized up and/or caught on fire. The dealership and the manufacturer seemed unfazed by the potential disaster that I narrowly averted simply by a fluke of chance. This problem should result in a recall to prevent others from getting killed if the car catches on fire and seizes up while driving at highway speeds!!.

Lost engine oil. Blance shaft seal popped out. Required replacement of seal, timing belt and balance shaft belt.

Oil pump seal blew while the car was in motion causing all the oil to immediately drain from the car causing damage to the car's timing belts and and requiring replacement of the time belt. If the car hadn't been immediately stopped the engine would've seized. Honda is aware of the problem as they have issued an upgrade kit to fix the problem. But they have not notified car owners. This is a major problem and owners should be notified so they can get it fixed before it blows and causes additional damage.

The car suddenly lost all of oil as result of rupture of engine seal. This in turn caused damage to timing belt and crankshaft belt. Spoke with wrecker operator (former contractor for Honda) and mechanic and both indicated this to be a recurring problem in Honda's of this particular model.

Balance shaft seal popped out of engine and oil soaked entire engine incld. Timing belt,aux. Belt,spark plug rings. Informed by both Honda dealearship and an independant shop that this has been a problem and is a manufacture defect. Honda refused to assist with payment. Took car to an independant a.

Oil light came on after the oil had been changed three days prior to driving. When checking oil, there was no oil. Dealer stated the cam seal was blown and replaced timing belt/balancing belt/oil and seals, with various others.

Oil hose broke, causing an oil leakage into engine compartment, soaking the timming belt with oil which could cause a possible fire. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further details.

Timing belt,drive belts and water pump replaced. Yh.