From what I've read, the 4th gen preludes (I've also heard of 5th gens, too) are notorious for having bad oil leaks. Granted, there are alot of different reasons you could be leaking oil, but I'd say besides the Valve Cover Gasket this would probably be the most common.
Even though it seems this little problem happens to a lot of people, I can't find a write up hardly anywhere. If you're anything like me, sometimes I like to see an example before I get into tearing into a motor (being I'm not that mechanically inclined). Me being in a tragic breakdown that resulted in having to buy a new motor due to this very o-ring to going bad on me.
It's a pretty easy process, so don't make it any harder than it is.
What You'll Need
-New O Ring
-Oil Filter
-Breaker Bar? 1/2 Drive Ratchet? Wrench? (Not sure on size of the nut)
-Just a little axle grease
-Qt. of Oil (Your Choice, You WILL lose a little)
-Oil Catch
-Oil Rags
-Jack/Stands
When you go to Honda, if you take that route instead of the internet, tell them you need the Oil Cooler O-Ring/Seal. Most likely they'll know what you're talking about. It looks like this:
Now make sure your e-brake is up, cars in gear, jack it up, and throw some stands under it for safety.
You're looking for you're oil filter. The oil cooler is a later addition to the Honda engines, and as far as I know they don't use it on any models anymore due to so many problems (don't quote me). That being said the oil cooler is what your oil filter screws on to. Time to break out that oil catch.
Once you have taken off your oil filter, you'll notice that stud has a nut on it in the middle. This is what you need to take off. It should unscrew fairly easy, but if you really need a breaker-bar, don't use too much force.
Now the oil cooler should be able to get free from the block. Have the oil catch or a rag ready, oil will most likely pour on you (not too much). It is connected to two hoses that are coolant lines. You're probably going to be tempted to take these off, but don't. It's really just a waste of time because you have just enough room to get the job done.
I was tempted to use a screwdriver, even a nail file to get the old O-Ring out of the groove. Honestly, a fingernail will do it just fine. If you notice, the old one (on the right in the photo) is a little different than the replacement.
I promise it will fit just fine. Just rub a small amount of axle grease on it, and put it back in the groove on the oil cooler. Place the stud back in and secure it tightly, but not ridiculously tight. Screw on a new oil filter (might as well replace it anyways right?) And then the job is done.
Hopefully this will eventually help someone, figured I'd make a write-up for people like me who don't really know what they're doing.
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