Guys, having a bit of trouble finding the source of an oil leak. At first check on a newly acquired clunker, found oil dripping from bottom of transaxel on driver side. Noticed it was coming from around both sides of cv axle and assumed it was a leaking axle seal. Replace seal and changed auto tranny fluid. Drove car and it was still leaking and noticed it was not red so could not be ATF but had to be motor oil. During each time I had thoroughly degreased complete motor and tranny with degreaser and inspect top side and bottom side for leaks. The valve cover gasket , nor vtec solenoid , nor dizzy is leaking any oil. Checked oil filter, oil sending unit...nothing ....clean as can be. Pulled torque converter plate thinking may be rear seal......just as clean as can be. Oil seems to be coming right from above drivers side transaxle. I assume with an automatic if the axle seal was leaking it would be ATF right. I even cracked open the drain plug and let a bit out on the floor to make sure it was motor oil and not atf. Changed oil and filter and installed as clear motor oil I could find and, yes, confirmed today that it is motor oil. Is there any place motor oil can leak from that appears to be coming from above axle seal? I am still checking for any signs of something up top and running down and have never been unable to find the source of a leak before by using Purple stuff to clean everything and then hose it clean with water........so far cannot find any signs of a smoking gun.....

 

Maybe a headgasket seeping oil out just in that area?

 

Try wiping it all clean and allowing the car to idle for 15-20 mins, then check again. but it may just be the gasket.

 

Thanks guys, cleaned and scoured over everywhere again and thought I may have seen a bit of oil shine down under the vtec solenoid. So,, plan is to pull valve cover off, solenoid and dizzy and replace all gaskets. With all that out of the way I can do a through inspection of a possible head gasket weeping. At this point it seems I am just fishing.....will post finding in a few days......

 

Cam or crack seal? Drivers side?