I have a 4c 96 Accord with an oil leak, I just changed the valve cover gasket and since I changed it the oil leak is worse. Now it's dripping onto my exhaust and burning. When I stop I get smoke coming from both tire wells and from the hood. I've checked the oil filter, valve cover, oil pan, oil sensor, and pvc valve. What else is at the rear of the engine that could be leaking? I go through about 5 quarts every two weeks.

 

I would have guessed the oil pan.

Oil doesn't leak from the exhaust, but if it's on the exhaust, it's likely coming from where you can't clearly see it. I'd recommend pulling off the B pipe on your header, and investigate there.

 

Odds are against it, but, you might check the oil filter. My sister had a "mysterious" oil leak on her car and I pinned it down to that area and discovered that the quicky oil change place she went to had failed to make sure the seat was clean before putting the new filter on. What they left on there was the rubber gasket from the old filter which had seperated from the filter housing. Oil had been blowing out like crazy and appeared to be coming from everywhere but it was the oil filter.

 

Have you messed with the oil pressure sender / sensor at all? those things are terribly finicky. If you took it out did you put teflon tape on it before rethreading it? if its not that then I would doubt check your oil pan.

I just noticed you said it got worse after you changed the valve cover? Is the cover itself cracked somewhere?

 

More likely the new gasket didn't stay in the groove when the cover was reinstalled. Clean the back of the engine, then run it or drive it a bit, get it up in the air on jackstands or ramps, then trace the leak.

 

I bet money its the oil pressure switch/sender. They are known to leak. When it leaks it drips onto the front pipe. Common leak on 94-97 accord 4cyl. Just change the switch with a special tool and your good to go.

 

I'm haven't checked the sender so I will try that. The valve cover isn't cracked and I've checked it three times to make sure I put the gasket on right.

 

this was the culprit for me. it is located right above the oil filter, really cheap and easy/quick to replace.

 

ok so I have a new oil pressure swutch/sender but I've been told that I will probably need a special tool to put it in. Anyone know what tool they are talking about?

 

Nah, just use a deep socket or the correct size wrench.

 

Thanks everyone for the help, I am pretty sure It's fixed now. Im still smoking a little bit but I think its just oil residue on the engine. Im gonna wash the engine today and give it til this weekend to burn off whatever I cant get to.