hey everyone, this is my first post! im new to wrenching on hondas (aside from struts and control arms) so bare with me. i just bought my first honda, a 92 prelude with an h23 in it. i bought it knowing it had a bad oil leak. apparently it was a LOT worse than what i originally thought. as soon as i got it home, i looked under to see if i could see where its coming from. of course there is oil everywhere cuz its never been cleaned so i sprayed it off the best i could with parts cleaner, did an oil change on it, and changed the oil cooler o-ring because i read on here that its a common problem.

as i poored the oil in after putting the o-ring and filter on, oil was constantly dripping off of the exhaust. now i read on here if its an all or nothing situation it could be the cam seals, would they be leaking without the car running though? i was thinking its probably an old oil pan but i wanted to ask on here first. where the oil is dripping off the exhaust it goes right underneath the oil pan and i cant see it leaking anywhere above.

just wanted some opinions before i risk breaking the manifold studs to replace a non-leaking oil pan haha.

thanks in advance!

 

I would say oil pan, yes, but did you also check the oil pressure switch? Also, pull the inspection plate between the engine and tranny, see if there is oil in there.

Cams would only leak when running.

 

alright, thanks alot. the previous owner put an oil pressure switch in it and he said it fixed the oil leak (it has been sitting for 1/2 a year) but i dont see it coming from there. ill pull the inspection plate today, are you thinking rear main? i know it had a clutch put in it last year so i dont think it is (i figured if it was leaking they would replace it while the trans is out) but you never know. thanks for the quick response!

 

problem solved, rotted oil pan it is! thanks!