oil leak please help - Honda Prelude Forum

98prelude1 · 01-26-2008, 10:03 AM

I have a 98 auto prelude. Ok here is my problem. I woke up one day (been pretty cold latey in 20 and 30's) and I had no oil in my car. I just drains out near the oil filter really quick. Before that day I did have a small oil leak around the same area but not nearly this bad. After searching on the board I found that it is a common problem with the preludes to have the o-ring on the oil cooler go bad. I took it to a shop and they did say it was that and fixed the problem. Now I am still getting a smaller oil leak.

I was hoping that the both oil leaks were the same problem and I fixed it.

Now I am trying to rule out what could be leaking. I know it is not the oil pan cuz it is leaking from higher up on the back of the engine. It drips right on the exaust pipe.

Also, about 7k miles ago I had the TB and WP replaced and I had them replace the valve cover gasket, cam seals, and balence shaft seal. I believe I still had a leak before I had those replaced so unless they did a bad job I don't think it would be any of those.

There is tons of oil in the area from when the oil cooler o-ring broke so I need to clean it up and try and find the leak.

What else could be leaking the shop said he does not think it is the oil swich. He did say it might be the v-tech somethingorother? I am not too good with cars.
Any idea's?
Thanks

BBYlude · 01-26-2008, 03:59 PM

vtec solenoid seal or valve cover seal seem to be the two most suspect places to check. spray it down with carb/brake cleaner and see where it's leaking from.

Sandwich · 01-26-2008, 07:06 PM

i had an oil leak as well on my car...but it was my crank seals that were bad...but it's a good thing you guys mention the o-ring for oil cooler....next time car goes to the garage i'll have this one replaced also

Solid · 01-26-2008, 11:45 PM

You really need to search for it, but it could be the valve cover leaking slightly toward the firewall. The VTEC solenoid can leak, but it would be visible and on the right side of the engine.

98prelude1 · 01-29-2008, 07:49 AM

What do you guys think about using a dye to find the leak?

BBYlude · 01-29-2008, 08:27 AM

I've never done it; if the dye says its okay to run in motor oil w/o compromising the oil, then it'll be an effective way to pinpoint your leak. You'd need a black-light or a UV light to (I forget which. Are they the same?) to view the die if you do it though.

BlackBB6lude · 01-29-2008, 11:27 AM

Im sure everyone knows this, but if u tighten the oil drain plug to much it strips out on prelude because the metal is harder on the drain plug than it is on the oil pan, i had to replace my oil pan when i got my car because of the threads on the oil drain plug...
like 200 dollar fix...