Rep Power: 116

I'll be pulling the oil pan and figured it's gonna be on there tight (and a b**** to remove) due to the Honda RTV-type of sealant used (no gasket as it's an EX - D17A2 engine).

Anybody have any tricks/ insights for separating the pan from the block?

 
Rep Power: 511

flat head screwdriver and some elbow grease. IIRC, there are cutout thingies where you can get a screwdriver into so you can pry them aaprt

 
Rep Power: 208

a lot of patience and a large flat head screwdriver,

be gentle and pry all around, dont rush it or be rough, you dont want to damage the engine casing or warp/bend the pan

 
Rep Power: 517

Judicious use of a prybar or screwdriver. I think the FSM might show the locations of the slots are to pry

I usually use

 
Rep Power: 116

Thanks guys. I ended up using used a prybar (carpentry prybar).
There was a location between the block and oil pan that seemed "made for" a prybar. One nudge and it came off like butter. Took about 2 minutes (literally).
I took some pics. Will post them when I get a chance so others can see the "sweet spot" for prying it apart from/ off the block.

 
Rep Power: 116

Now it's on to getting the pistons out.

 
Rep Power: 511

Not hard to do. I was surprised how easy it was when I did it.

Good luck, and have fun. lol. Hope you have a piston ring compressor on you for reinstallation

 
Rep Power: 118

Shame we can’t pull the pistons out from the bottom end....
My 2003 LX with 120k miles burning about quart of oil every 100 miles...

Keeping it topped off with oil till Xmas break when I will have a week to take apart and see if it’s just oil rings or time for JDM Vtec and all that hassle.

 
Rep Power: 208

you can

 
Rep Power: 511

you most definitely can.

 
Rep Power: 517

^^Not with the crank in the way