I have the standard oil leak from the left side of the engine where the cylinder plug is. I was told that this is an easy fix so I bought one from Honda and here is my predicament.

The oil change guy, and a few guys at work and a video online (with positive comments) say its just as easy as prying it off evenly and putting some silicone around the edges and carefully popping it back in.

The Honda guy and a close shop say that the valve cover has to come off. I would have to disconnect the negative battery lead, unscrew the bundle of wires from the top and a few other parts of the engine. Put it aside and then take the valve cover off. It would require a gasket replacement, some silicone on the four points to the left and right and then it goes back on after the cylinder plug.

I found a 7th gen in a scrap yard and tried the pry off method. Sure enough it comes right off and would be just as easy to do on my car.


Has anyone done this or paid the dealer/mechanic $150.00 to do this. Thats a lot of money to save. I could put that towards some nice speakers in the back and window tinting, or front shocks, brake service etc...

Thanks for your help.