Ok, so I was/am leaking oil and I can't tell if it's coming from my Oil cooler o-ring or it it's the oil pressure switch. I got some oil on top of the oil cooler and some on the oil pressure switch. I'm not sure if it's leaking oil pressure switch down or if the oil cooler o-ring would allow some oil to shoot up to get on the pressure switch.

Anyways, I figure, it's $9 I might as well replace it. Problem is, I can't get my freak'n connector off. It looks like there isn't much of a boot left so I really only see this plastic piece. It's mostly round but has a flat side that felt like it squeeze in. Needless to say that piece is no long on. So it's a wire to a connector and I still have no understanding of how to get that freak'n thing off. It just doesn't seem to want to budge I really hardly have access to that thing but I know it spins. I'm wondering if what I see is the end of the connector. Even so, like I said, it's just so stink'n hard to get my hand in there at all. Any ideas? Anyone have pictures of the connector unplugged?

 

You didn't say, so I am assuming a stock 92, so a D series motor. If you look at the image below you will see it could be the switch, the warmer, or even the breather leaking oil, they are all near each other and oil has a tendency to spread as it "soaks" into the metals and plastics. You can clean it up with non chlorinated brake cleaner and run it for about 10 minutes and peek back there. See if you can see fresh oil sort of thing.

The image below should show you the methods to dismantle each item. The switch, should have a hex setup for a wrench. As does the center post for the oil filter that also holds on the oil warmer. The breather has 2 10mm bolts, the upper one being the trickiest to get back in. Also the grommet in the breather is a pita to get out, I cut mine out with the hooks I was using to grab it.

Also note, the switch has hondabond on the threads and could be why it's difficult to get out even though it's only set in to 13 ft-lbs.

 

Thanks Tomcat. When I was in high school and first got the car, the engine went bad. My dad had the engine replaced and it's a VTec and if I recall correctly, it was from a 93. But the schematic you're showing looks just like what I was seeing.

As far as getting the pressure switch off, it's the actual sensor cable that's connected that I can't get off. I almost just cut it and figure I'd slap on a new connector but from what I've heard is that the cable connector is a proprietary one and can only be had from a Honda connector kit (~$300).

I did clean it up with some brake cleaner and had it run for a little bit and didn't see any oil but that was a day ago so I'm going to check tonight to see if there is any leaking going on. All I know is that I almost lost all my oil and I refilled and for some reason it "seems" to be holding now. Again, I guess I'll be able to confirm tonight.

Thanks TomCat for the info. I didn't know about the breather and wasn't exactly sure how my warmer was staying on. If you have any ideas on how to get that pressure switch connector cable off, I'm all ears.

 

The warmer is the D15Z1 (Civic VX) vtec-e only. You have the vtec-e not the vtec performance motor (D16Z6)?

 

I'm not sure. I don't know if I have that paper work or not. I'll look at the engine code tonight but I know for a fact that I have that warmer, and I've got VTEC stamped on valve cover.

 

Tom, the engine is a D15Z1. I looks like I do have a little fresh oil still leaking from somewhere. I've decided that I'm going to remove the warmer, replace the O-Ring and replace the pressure switch.

I'm still stuck on how to remove the wire that connects to the pressure switch. I can swivel it on the switch tip, but it seems like it's crimped on. Any ideas?

 

I believe you have to wiggle like mad the rubber boot connector off the oil pressure switch, then you can pull the switch out.

I bet more than likely your switch is leaking internally and dripping down onto your oil filter.

The connector to the oil pressure switch is like the park plug wire boot that goes onto the spark plug.

If it hasn't been removed in years you could be stuck onto the switch pretty good. It may take a lot of wiggling.

The thing you have to remember when putting in the new switch is to honda bond the threads of the switch before you put it in.

 

Thanks Tom. I'll have to get back under there. There is no boot on it so that's part of what was confusing me. Plus I pulled my thumb muscle trying to wiggle it off the first time so I'll have to wait a little till that heals because it hurts like the dickens.

If it comes to it, I'll just cut the wire, pull the switch, get that connector off then resolder the wire.

 

Might not have a boot. I could only find an Accord pressure switch youtube video so figured it would be similar.

The only part I'm pretty sure is consistent between the two is that it is a one wire connection.

 

Tom, I know it's been a while but I wanted to follow up and thank you for everything. About 2 weeks ago I went back under the car and with a small set of pliers (wire stripping/cutting) I grabbed the end of the wire and it popped right off, no problem. The new oil pressure switch went on without any issues (factory was 24mm, new switch was 22mm). Car isn't leaking any oil that I've noticed the last 2 weeks so it looks like all it good.

Thanks!

 

Awesome, great to hear. I'm glad you got it sorted and are leak free.