Rep Power: 744

1994 honda prelude SRV

so the other day i was just checking my spark plugs and i see theres oil inside them, on the spark plug itself

under the car also, theres wet oil everywhere, on the oil pan, or w.e its called, i thought it was coming from the oil pressure switch, but i changed it and it still drips oil, not exsessivley but it still drips, and still oil under the oil pan, its not from changing oil, or when you take off oil filter, i duno where its coming from, someone told me it could be oil gasket

help is much appreciated, thanks

 
Rep Power: 701

All you can do is jack up the car and get under the car with a flashlight. Look at all around the top of the oil pan if there is only oil on and around the oil pan its likely an oil pan gasket. If you see lots of oil above where the pan mates to the engine than the problem has started above the pan, you've already checked the filter, so take a good look at the valve cover on the top of the engine. Like you mentioned, the oil pressure s/u..also check the distributer and see if there is any oil around that..and the drivers side of the engine around the timing belt cover where all your pulleys are...its prob not recommended but jack up the car, support it really well, and start the engine if you have to to see where the oil is running from

 
Rep Power: 818

Like viper-blue get under the car to check where its actually comeing from, chances are its is either the oil pan gasket or rear engine seal(where the engine mounts to the transmission) and if you have oil on your spark plugs the pistons rings are gone and need to be replaced which basically is a complete rebuild.

 
Rep Power: 802

Alright well the best way to pinpoint engine leaks is to start from the top. For you to just get under the car and see the oil pan soaked i wouldn't do an oil pan gasket because of it. Start from the top of the engine and work down and see what you can find... or if you are underneath find the highest point.

The way i am understanding this is it is probably a valve cover gasket. Your have the gasket that goes around and seals the whole valve cover and then there are seals in the middle to seal the holes around the spark plugs. What you may be seeing is oil leaking past those seals and falling down to your spark plug. Then you are removing the spark plug to find that the oil has dropped and soaked the plugs.

Good luck.

As others were saying inspect carefully as some of these jobs are labour intensive vs. what you are changing. So to call a oil pan gasket and have to take off exhaust brackets and such is not fun. Be sure you call the right thing. If you are totally lost do an engine bath with a citrus cleaner or some sort of engine cleaner and watch where it is coming from now that everything is clean.

 
Rep Power: 744

thanks guys, i took my valve cover off the other day because i was going to change the o rings/spark plug seals which ever one you wanna call it. and it turned out to be a bigger job than i thought it would be so i just changed my spark plugs to new ngk's but i havnt checked them since, to see if its still leaking, i will do soon tho, thanks for the help

 
Rep Power: 689

yah oil filter is good?? my mech said he found a Really slow leak but a leak none the less comin frm the oil filter o ring....

 
Rep Power: 791

Easiest way to check for external leaks on an engine.. get some engine degreaser and clean the engine ( remember to clean the bottom of the engine also )

Then after that, wait for a day or so, and it'll be easier to see where it's leaking from as that will be the only dirty part