My roommates '92 Prelude has an oil leak which I can not detect without doing a removal of multiple engine parts. Does anyone know of a generic oil leak that was popular in Preludes of a similar year?

He's leaked ~2 quarts in 5 months. The hoses look ok. I changed out his oil cam plug (touches valve cover gasket) and checked his oil filter/housing, but to no avail. I'm fine at fixing the problems; however, I hate finding the problems. Difficult when you don't have the time.

Last but not least, an amazing sqweal was coming from the distributor. I changed out his cap and rotor. Tons of corrosion was blown out of the distributor and wiped from the electrics. Horrible mess. The sqweal continued, and I think it's a lot of particles that have worked their way into the shaft that continues to the rear of the distributor. My roomie is a ****-tard that won't buy a mechanical book (not even Haynes) for me to make his repair the cost of parts. Apparently, the money tree grows outside his window. Anyway, does anyone have an insight as to the problem, and an easy fix? I would hate to mess with the electrics under the distr. cap and make it not run.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Did you try adding the stuff the will illuminate when a black light is put to it? There are ones that are made for finding oil leaks. Search the forums, this has been addressed many times.

 

http://www.neons.org/neontsb/TSB/09/091794.htm

That one has a basic over view of what is involed in just a few steps.

 

Oil dye and a black light will tell you exactly where the leak is.

 

His distributer is about to go if it squeels in that area. The particals you see are from the shaft area of the distributer where it goes into the head. 150 from a junk yard or 300+ from a stealer. Your choice. When it goes it will throw a trouble code for the #1 cylinder position indicator. Then you will have to replace it.

Have Fun,

Tom

 

2 quarts in 5 months? you are aware that Honda oil change intervals are 3 months or 3750 miles, right? it is common for most motors to lose about 1 quart of oil per oil change, especially if it's got a few miles or gets pushed a bit.

also, the distributor bearing has seized. get a new distributor.

 

Thank you for the replies to my inquiry. I appreciate the suggestions. I'll have him decide whether he wants to try the dye solution or not. Also, I'll have him buy a new distributor.

"it is common for most motors to lose about 1 quart of oil per oil change" <--I have driven my Jaguar for years (a car notorious for leaking oil), and don't even drop 0.5 quarts per oil change. You might want to look into excessive leaks in your engine. My SAAB and BMW leaked ~0.3 quarts per change.

Thank you again for the input.

 

My b17 in my 92 Teg GSR burned about ~.5 per change... my current Del Sol Si doesn't burn a drop, it's amazing.

but I've heard that Preludes are pretty well known for oil consumption, and that it's fairly normal - a friend with a 92 VTEC goes through a quart every ~3K, like clockwork, he doesn't worry at all, and his engine bay is as clean as the board of health - no leaks. I wouldn't worry too much.

 

my 94 had a leak that i could'nt find for a long time. i finally found that the O-ring behind the where the oil cooler line goes into the engine.

 

Yep. Everyone I've ever known with a Prelude VTEC (including myself) burns 1 qt every oil change. Which is why I always keep a bottle in the trunk, and check it every time I put gas in. I always make sure it's never below half way between full and add. I think they smoke a little when you hit VTEC. But there's no damage whatsoever...... just had my car emission tested and it passed with flying technicolor!