I have an 86 honda accord lxi with an oil leak. we have changed the valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, oil pump gaskets, and the cam seal, but it still leaks from the timing belt cover and sprays onto the water pump. ???

Try the valve cover gasket or the cam seal.

what engine.? lots of engines, used. and 21 models of civic, USA.
its usually.
1: valve cover, (yes, most can leak from top down behind the belt.
2: cam seals
3: crank end seal
4: oil pump seals.
6: oil pan ( last choice)

finding oil leaks takes hard work , clean, it find it .
or use the dye kits.

gravity and wind, allows it to go where ever IT wants.
so it must be clean first to find it.. see?
or use the dye kits, it shows a live leak best.

ever look here?
http://estore.honda.com/honda/parts/view-honda-parts-catalog-detail.asp?m=1997-civic-2-dx-4at&sn=&b=E++09&dl=

question, at the 60k mile service points. you check lash, settings.
with a new timing belt. and at such point, a new valve cover gasket gets fitted, did you? if yes, its not leaking if not>????
the front edge of the VC gasket, leaks down behind what i call
the VC leak hidder, tin pan. plate. behind the cam cog
is a plate, and the VC leaks down from there to the cam seal
then down front of engine, then past crank seal the, to cover.
seen this on all most all OHC engines...
cause, nobody does the 60k or does it and uses the old gaskets.
id look there first. but id dont have service history.
start high work down due to gravity.....
the FSM is here.
see that too. "free" too
http://hondatech.info/downloads/Auto/Manuals/Civic/

bad gasket,valve cover (top and leaks down hidden) if gasket
if not VC , then seals.
no engine stated, there are many engines used.
On the I4 engine, (4 banger) it has a cam seal and a crank seal
they can and do leak.

Dear Sir,
Here is the oil leaking Problem Identifying Technique

Engine oil leaks from the valve cover gasket are common.

The intake manifold plenum gasket may leak and cause increased oil consumption/burning and a spark knock during acceleration; the gasket should be replaced.

External oil leaks from valve cover gaskets, intake gaskets (front or rear), and the rear crankshaft (rear main) seal area are common. The rear main seal is an unlikely source. Normally, the bearing cap mating surfaces (as well as the sealing surface between the oil pan and bearing cap) are the source for the leaks.

Engine oil leaks at the distributor can be misdiagnosed as leaks from theintake manifold seal, oil pan gasket, or rear crankshaft (rear main) seal. A revised distributor is available if oil is found inside the distributor.

If the oil filter casing shows signs of distortion from excessive oil pressure, theoil pump should be replaced.

Often misdiagnosed as a leaking oil filter gasket, the oil filter adapter can seep from between the adapter and engine block.

Carbon buildup on the top of the piston is common. As the buildup increases with mileage and over time, symptoms may vary from light ticking, to ticking/hammering, to hammering/knocking noises. Fuel injector cleaner often solves the problem.

I think it helps to analyse u r Problem

The oil is leaking from wherever you see oil on the engine. Sometimes there can be to much oil covering the engine and it needs to be degreased. A dye can also be added to the oil that will illuminate when a dye light is used to help track down a leak. If the oil pressure switch you removed wasn't wet with oil or leaking than it wasn't bad.

It could be anything from the valve cover gaskets, cam seals, front crank seal, oil pan gasket, rear main seal or head gaskets.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

First have to determine where are you loosing it from.
Possible engine oil leak areas : Valve cover gasket,oil pan gasket, rear main,oil filter. crank or cam shaft seal, oil pump. Pcv valve.
If its transmission oil leaking here are a few areas of interest: shell of transmission( depending where on the shell could be oil pump, or converter., vents, and axle seals.
If your not capable to jack the vehicle up and look for the leak , then take it to a repair shop.
Keep me posted

they don't use gaskets on oil sumps its sealant glue and yes u will have to reapply it when you put the sump back on, and what do u mean by main seal? do you mean the head gasket?

Could be the cam seal (near the cam gear noticeable under the upper plastic timing cover). Or the back of the valve cover gasket, or the main seals (either on the flywheel,flex plate side, or the main pulley side). Could be an oil cooler hose near your oil filter or that the filter is not tight enough.

Could be a rear main seal.

yes it is most likely the crankshaft seal or the camshaft seal the only way to make sure is to pull timing cover using 10 mmm sockets and youll have to remove belts and pulleys using 12mm and 14mm sockets and wrenches and pulley puller also it is not easy but you need to be sure and to replace the seals youll need to remove those anyways. Purchase a repair manual to assist you in this job at local parts store haynes or chiltons will do about $20.00 or so.