ifish4tuna

Hi - My 2001 Prelude has 196,000 miles on it. I bought it w/ 184,000 about a year ago from original owner. He said he had to put about 1 quart of oil in it every few thousand miles.

I notice the rear of the car (red) usually has a oily film of soot on the back trunk/bumper. After driving on the highway and coming to a stop. If I open the windows I can smell the burning oil.

Is this more likely rings or valve problems. How can you diagnose the difference, and in your estimation is this something worth fixing? I have had many Hondas over the years and expect to get 300,000 miles out of this car. The body is in excellent shape.

The car is very peppy, and only runs sluggish/pings when I occasionally run 87 octane in it (should run w/ 91).

Thanks in advance
Ed

ayashifx55

Hi ! Welcome to preludeonline.

1. In the instruction manual, it says to RUN UNLEADED FUEL, means 91+ only please! The prelude HATES cheap gas It loves to drink premium or Vpower gas !!! Or else , if you give it cheap gas, it will give you cheap power. Sounds fair doesn it?

2. Burning oil is VERY normal for a H22A JDM (japanese swap) or H22A4 USDM ( means america). Mine burnes 1 quarter per 1200miles (with 1 spot leaking, beside timing belt) , with rare VTEC engagement. So it means, my engine seems to be very healthy still, even with leak!

3. Most of the time, which are leaking for the preludes, are the oil pressure switch, oil pan and oil pan gasket. Since yours is still not that old, it should be the oil pressure witch and oil pan gasket. Another place to look at is beside the timing belt, i forgot the name of that part but theres a known issues for h22a to leak at that place. To repair it, you'll need a timing belt job at same time ....

I am still new, hope another member can correct me and help this guy as well. Sorry , my knownledge is limited new to prelude as well.

ifish4tuna

thanks for your reply. I think the part you are referring to with respect to timing belt area might be the balance shaft seal. that was recently replaced after it blew due to a clogged pcv valve.

Are you implying that he oil pressure switch or oilpan gasket (or something else) are leaking onto the engine and that is causing the burning smell?

ayashifx55

The burning smell is caused by the oil pressure switch or oil pan gasket leaking oil. When either these components leaks, they leak directly into the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is always burning hot, so when oil drops on it, you will smell some kind of unbearable oil smell and burnt smell with no smoke.

*Thats what i meant ! The balance shaft seal !

willybv

Good info. Have someone stand outside the car, and drive by as briskly as possible while abiding by the laws of our great country. If you see blueish smoke coming out (which it sounds like is happening given your description of the exhaust pipe) then you have an internal leak coming from either the piston rings, or the valve stem seals. Also check your coolant for brownish oil sludge that would indicate a head gasket leak or do a leak down test if you want to be really sure. Or just add the quart of oil every few thousand, and drive it.

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1993 Civic DX w/ JRSC H22, 9 psi underdrive, Hondata S300, MSD Ignition, Koni adjustable/Skunk2 coilovers and cam gears, Competition V2 wheels with M&H slicks, and JDM washer solvent. 248 whp/236 tq, best 1/4 mile 13.2 sec. @105 mph.