Hi all, first post on this site, but I have used your helpful info for a little while now. This is about my wife's 2002 CRV EX with over 300k miles.

Symptoms:
-Oil leak: As long as I've worked on this car it has had an exterior oil leak around the front cover side of engine and burned small amounts of visible smoke out of the tailpipe. Years go by and of course all problems get worse. Right now it has a good covering of new and congealed oil on the left side of engine and frame below. Belt is oily also and throws some oil around that area and onto hood. Leaves big, puddle sized spots of oil on driveway. The oil burn has also progressed to be more noticeable in site and smell. This usually happens only on accelerating after idling at stoplight producing a big FU puff to the guy behind, but now also while idling at stoplight. Most harder accelerations after this time does not produce a noticeable trail. This problem can be worse some days compared to others....not consistent. I have changed the valve cover and spark plug seals, as they were old and leaking. 90% sure they are not leaking anymore. I have also sent oil off for analysis and they were very impressed with the quality. No abnormal qualities in the water, chemicals, or metal deposits. I have to add oil every couple of weeks and she only drives around town.

-Start and Idle problem: The past 18 months during hot weather the car has starting issues during multiple stop shopping trips, unfortunately without me there. She says it will crank just fine, but no ignition or stuttering. It seems prolonged cranking or waiting longer for engine to cool helps. Does not seem to happen all the time, but could be based on hot summers or specific driving duty periods. The idle problem happens when going into park after engine warms and seems to be related with stopping, putting in park, then releasing brake. Engine will drop close to shutting off but never dies, then recovers to normal idle.

These all may not be connected, but I wanted to throw everything out there that is wrong in case someone knows of a connection. I originally thought leaky valve seals were causing oil burn and that one or all of the front main seal, VTEC, VTC, oil pressure, or front engine seal were causing exterior leak. That side of engine is so dirty now that I can't easily pinpoint anymore. Not to persuade anyone in my post, but I'm starting to think a head gasket leak could be the culprit of both of these leaks and possibly causing bad compression that would affect idle and starting and may allow fluids into chamber when stopped.

So after my book of info is written, anyone have some diagnostics I could run to pinpoint issue or what a trusted mechanic should start with on this engine? Any ideas or past experience? My wife loves the car and I'm all for fixing a car you know instead of buying one with an unknown history.
Thanks!