I have read several posts on various oil leaks, and am trying to determine the oil that might be best to use to reduce consumption. I am currently using a quart every 750-1000 miles.

Also have been using Mobil 5/30 high mileage, and thought that might help but some posts indicate that this oil actually makes leaks worse.

A mechanic told me the leak appears to be the lower engine oil seal on the opposite side of the timing belt (had that side seal/belt replaced 5 years ago).

With 195K, probably not going to spend several hundred dollars for repair, but hoping using a different oil might help.

Thanks for any input!

 

my '97 has a weep from the valve cover gaskets, a V6 so it looks like a big job to fix....

 

Is your car an automatic or manual? This is a 4-cyl, but is it the vtec or the non-vtech engine?

You are going to have to determine the leak location. On that side of the engine it could be the distributor o-ring or grommet. The valve cover gasket. The V-tech solenoid (if you have that engine). The rear main seal (sounds like this has been replaced before). The oil pressure sending unit would leak down the back of the engine.

 

Should have mentioned, it's an AT-4 cylinder-non Vtech engine. I replaced the distributor o ring and oil pressure switch a few years ago, as both these areas developed leaks. the valve cover gasket looks good also.

When I had the timing belt and water pump done, the shop mentioned putting in a new seal that had some type of locking tabs as I recall. Is there another engine seal on the passengers side of the car, which is the side where the drips are coming from. That is what another mechanic mentioned to me during a discussion.

I will also try to get a few pics soon which also might help.

 

Could be leaking from the main seal.