H22A1 No Oil Pressure, just built............. - Honda Prelude Forum

PreludeXXX · 11-21-2011, 08:56 PM

Hi, I just picked up a 99 Prelude. The original engine blew up, I still have the head. He dropped in a H22A1 block, he said it was the 92 version. Somewhere he got a VTEC head and put it all together. Looks like a nice job. Started it up, oil pressure light on. Put a new sending unit on it, oil light still on so he sold it.
I am not a Honda person so I am not fluent in them. I am a mechanic with 30 years experience, just not Honda's. It has H22A1 cast in the block, known fact there. Valve cover is painted blue and has VTEC cast into it. DOHC head for sure with solenoids next to the distributor. I put an oil pressure gauge on the head and started it. 0 pressure, no oil in the gauge line either. He installed a brand new oil pump and still didn't fix the problem. Engine doesn't make any noise but I have only ran it maybe 2-3 minutes. I checked the o-rings under the cam caps and they are installed.
Is there any combination of parts that won't work together or that take special parts such as a certain head gasket. I hope I don't have to do a complete tear down. I have not put a gauge on the oil pump yet, that is next.
Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks,

TypeT · 11-22-2011, 04:56 AM

h22a4 head on h22a1 block = closed deck 92-95 head gasket
H22a1 head on h22a4 block = open deck 97-01 head gasket

The a4 is obd2 and the a1 is obd1

PreludeXXX · 11-23-2011, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TypeT

h22a4 head on h22a1 block = closed deck 92-95 head gasket
H22a1 head on h22a4 block = open deck 97-01 head gasket

The a4 is obd2 and the a1 is obd1

What will happen if the wrong gasket is used. Will it block any of the oil passages? Will it block anything else?

Next question, how do I know what head I have? Is there a reference chart that has images I can look at? What else would I look for to distinguish what I have as far as the head?

Thanks

minilogoguy18 · 11-23-2011, 05:58 PM

On the front of the head it will have a stamp for the year then with a circle with numbers for the month and an arrow pointing to it going between the 2 numbers for the year. I know you replaced the oil pump but since they don't come with a new pickup did you check it and make sure the screen wasn't clogged?

PreludeXXX · 11-24-2011, 07:32 AM

I didn't do the oil pump. The other guy did. I have not taken it apart just yet, I was hoping I wouldn't have to. From what I am finding out it shouldn't matter what head is on it, just that the proper head gasket was used for the proper block. But, why would I not be getting oil to the head. I don't know that I am getting oil to the lower end just yet either though. I would think with a new oil pump that I would be. My first thought is that the head gasket is blocking the oil port to the head possibly.
Are there any orfices or ports that could be put in backwards or left out that could block or effect oil pressure?
I'm new to working on Honda's. The car is really nice and I would like to get it fixed. Thanks for all your comments. I'll get it eventually.

TypeT · 11-24-2011, 09:48 AM

ànd then is your oil pressure sensor ok?
I had to replace mine year ago (well, it leaked)

PreludeXXX · 11-25-2011, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TypeT

ànd then is your oil pressure sensor ok?
I had to replace mine year ago (well, it leaked)

New sensor was installed but that has nothing to do with 0 psi in head with a mechanical gauge. Oil didn't even go into the clear line of the gauge. Still have to hook it up to the oil pump and see what the results are there. I'm sure they checked the screen when they put the new pump on. They are rarely fully clogged even at that so I should get some pressure.

minilogoguy18 · 11-25-2011, 08:34 PM

You might as well just tear this thing apart and find out where it is getting clogged before you ruin the cam journals from cranking it with 0 oil getting to the head.

PreludeXXX · 02-28-2012, 10:48 AM

That is what I'm afraid of, having to tear it down. I was hoping for something simpler. I did hook up the oil pressure gauge to the sending unit port on the block. Thought I was in better shape for a minute. Started it up, had 20-22 psi. As it ran it started dropping down to about 10 psi. If I revved it to about 1500 rpm it initially went up to about 30 psi. After about 30 seconds and the oil pressure dropping down to 10 psi the pressure didn't move when revved. Would bad mains cause this. The engine sounds really good, no noises, runs smooth. I'm not starting it up again. Wanna buy a Prelude?