Rep Power: 0

Hey everybody,
I've read quite a few oil leak threads but thought it'd be worth it to post my case.
I have to add a quart of oil about every 500 miles. In the winter the leak streams to the bottom of the motor (transmission assembly I believe) and drips. In the summer it does not (cold weather metal contraction opening up pathways otherwise un-negotiable by oil bead, my guess).
Performance is not affected at all. I think I have head gasket leak, although I've read conflicting views on if that would affect vehicle performance.
I've changed the valve cover gasket and camshaft plug and as I did that I was pretty damn sure those weren't the sources of my leak. It's also not the oil pan gasket or oil filter/drain bolt.
I've added images of the how the leak collects and where the oil is wettest.
If you have any other "common" civic oil leak solutions aside from the two I mentioned at the start of this post, please let me know.
2004 1.7L 5spd
Thanks

You can see the oil pooling before it drips

Wettest spot is beneath plug to the right of the center of this photo. I can't identify that part at about dead center.

 
Rep Power: 222

VTEC engine? the gaskets on the solenoid can leak pretty bad

 
Rep Power: 211

while the engine is cold cover the alternator with aluminum foil or other protective wrap and spray the engine down with Gunk degreaser spray (or equivalent). You may need to apply it twice and use old disposable rags to wipe the engine down as much as possible. If you have a pressure washer at home that is helpful as well but ensure you cover alternator and any exposed sensors. You want to get the engine as clean as possible to help find the source of the leak.

when looking for an oil leak start from the top of the engine down. Use baby powder and/or foot powder spray (ezone's tip) on the engine to help isolate leaks.

if your car is an ex or si then it has vtec solenoid which can also be a source of a leak. it could be a headgasket oil leak but that is pretty rare. Most likely sources are:
valve cover, cam end cap, vtec solenoid (two gaskets), rear main seal, oil pan gasket, pcv valve.. Does it burn oil: bad valve seals, loose internal tolerances, bad oil ring(s)?

 
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Yes VTEC, thanks for the input. I'll investigate

 
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Thanks Puffinblunts, cool username haha
Yeah I've been avoiding going through that whole effort but eventually I'll have to try it if I'm serious about finding the leak. I've got degreaser and plenty of rags to use up

 
Rep Power: 211

Vtec solenoid has one gasket that mounts the whole unit (vertically) to the cylinder head. It also has a smaller gasket that mounts (horizontally) within itself so, buy and replace both gaskets (if they are the leak source).

7th gen 1.7L Vtec solenoid is beefier than 6 th gens (most of my experience) so their (7th gens) Vtec solenoids may not warp from heat like 1.6L/6th gens can do. If you replace the Vtec gaskets and the larger (vertical) one still leaks (due to warpage) after tightening the bolts to spec ...then you may want to add Hondabond or similar sealant to the gasket to help it seal. Just ensure you don't get any sealant on the screen.