[FreeVeggie]

I'm going to buy an 04 EX with 56,000 miles on it. I had my mechanic check it out and there are two issues I wanted to consult the experts on before making the final purchase tomorrow.

1. There is some oil wetness coming from an apparently minor front crank seal leak. My mechanic said he sees these all the time on Hondas. Anyone have any experience with this?

2. Tie rod end boots are looking dry/cracking. The boots haven't broken yet, and they are the originals, but is this a common issue?

I tried searching the existing threads, but didn't find too much information. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

 

[boxedup1]

the dust boots on the tie rods arent a big deal. im actually on my second set of tierods and the new are already dry cracking.ball joints boots are the same.all issues not bad at alll.

 

[FreeVeggie]

Thank you BoxedUp.

I'm excited to join the Element club. I have wanted one for years. It just feels better knowing I am not buying a lemon.

 

[asp]

I'm going to buy an 04 EX with 56,000 miles on it. I had my mechanic check it out and there are two issues I wanted to consult the experts on before making the final purchase tomorrow.

1. There is some oil wetness coming from an apparently minor front crank seal leak. My mechanic said he sees these all the time on Hondas. Anyone have any experience with this?

2. Tie rod end boots are looking dry/cracking. The boots haven't broken yet, and they are the originals, but is this a common issue?

I tried searching the existing threads, but didn't find too much information. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

The leak at the front of the engine may be from several sources nearby as the oil migrates. Some possibilities include, valve cover gasket, oil pressure switch on VTEC solenoid, VTEC solenoid gasket, block oil pressure switch, crank seal, timing chain case cover, timing chain case, oil pan, etc. You have to remove the splash shield and clean it up and then run the engine to find the source(s) before you start fixing things because some are simple to fix and some are not so simple or require special tools.

 

[hownowcb]

When I took my Element in for a recall notice this spring, the service rep told me I had a leaking front crank seal as well. I told him that was a remarkable development, since my Element has always been parked in the same place on a pristine, spotless garage floor for the past four years, and to-date, there's never been a single oil spot on the floor underneath my car - ever.

What had actually happened was that I'd changed the oil a few days earlier, and had the dreaded minor spill on the front crossmember from the oil filter. I drape a flannel pillow case over the crossmember to absorb any spillage, but over the years it's become saturated to some degree, so there tends to be a slight film of oil left on the crossmember.

I tend to be leery of dealership mechanics, and their alleged "factual" observations, so I took the liberty of explaining my recent oil change. This one acknowledged that my spill remnant was indeed the only thing he'd actually observed. In other words, he'd found evidence, but not the actual source.

What disturbs me is that a more timid individual could have easily OK'd a rather expensive (and completely unneeded!) procedure. I always wonder what percentage of their business is wrangled that way...:|

 

[Flipperdoo]

When I took my Element in for a recall notice this spring, the service rep told me I had a leaking front crank seal as well. I told him that was a remarkable development, since my Element has always been parked in the same place on a pristine, spotless garage floor for the past four years, and to-date, there's never been a single oil spot on the floor underneath my car - ever.

What had actually happened was that I'd changed the oil a few days earlier, and had the dreaded minor spill on the front crossmember from the oil filter. I drape a flannel pillow case over the crossmember to absorb any spillage, but over the years it's become saturated to some degree, so there tends to be a slight film of oil left on the crossmember.

I tend to be leery of dealership mechanics, and their alleged "factual" observations, so I took the liberty of explaining my recent oil change. This one acknowledged that my spill remnant was indeed the only thing he'd actually observed. In other words, he'd found evidence, but not the actual source.

What disturbs me is that a more timid individual could have easily OK'd a rather expensive (and completely unneeded!) procedure. I always wonder what percentage of their business is wrangled that way...:|

100%! They make money on services, not car sales. I brought mine in for a coolant flush and there was a list of things on the inspection, which I fixed myself. There was also a recall on the airbags and ignition lock cylinder. They called me 3weeks later to repair the recalls so I brought it in and miraculously I had a ceased bolt that apparently needed to be removed, crank seal leak, oil pan leak, valve cover leak, valve adjustment and engine mounts needs replacing. Funny how they weren’t on the inspection when I originally brought it in. $427 to replace the crank seal apparently.