Oil Leak - What is this plug??

[pgilliam1]

This oil leak is dripping on my headers and causes a lot of smoke. It is coming from this plug (see arrow in picture). I know it is coming from this plug because I had cleaned everything before thouroughly (I have also previously replaced the spool valve and valve cover gaskets). The plug is made of a bronze colored metal with a hex/allen inset. It is located on the block below the rear bank spool valve and points towards the earth (I didn't want to say "ground" because that means many things on engines). I have no idea what this plug does and before I start cranking on it I would surely appreciate someone with some knowledge to tell me either, "don't do it," or "loosen it, apply Hondabond, and retighten to XXX torque." It's tucked up under the headers and is going to be a PITA to get an allen wrench up there to tighten it. Any ideas? Anyone?
THX in advance!

 

[Mac Attack]

Good question, mine weeps too.

Dave

 

[pgilliam1]

The plug is an 8mm allen and it's tight (applied moderate pressure both ways and no movement).

I guess this is what I get from stopping all the other leaks. UHG!

 

[pgilliam1]

My leak didn't come from this plug. After assurances from LarryB that he'd not seen leaks from this plug, I recleaned the area with brake cleaner and found the leak originated from the rear bank lower cam seal (the leaking/oozing oil takes a path that can't be seen - but can be felt with a deft finger). Sorry for the misguidence :redface:.
I put a #18 O-ring around the cam seal and that seems to be holding for now (I did this to the front bank cam seals months ago and it's still working).

PS: Larry, that steak dinner whenever you're in St. Louis still stands!

 

[nikey22]

please tell us how you did this, take a pic...

#18 o-ring to stop a cam seal leak? I can't picture it.

remember:

cam seals = passenger side of engine
cam plugs = driver's side of engine

 

[pgilliam1]

please tell us how you did this, take a pic...

#18 o-ring to stop a cam seal leak? I can't picture it.

remember:

cam seals = passenger side of engine
cam plugs = driver's side of engine

I stand corrected; I meant cam "plugs."

 

[hi0npsi]

I had this exact situation and assumed the same leak after cleaning the area thoroughly. Using a mirror one of my technicians showed me that it was actually the cam plug leaking and trickling down onto/past that metal plug. This is after I replaced all cam plugs using OEM ones, but before I read on prime about the shortcomings of the factory cam plugs....doh! Have yet to install the SOS plugs but confident this will resolve the problem once and for all.

Tom