1987 Prelude Oil Sending Unit

I was wondering if anyone had replaced a oil sending unit on a 1987
(2nd gen) prelude, within memory. It's located under the carbs,
above the oil filter if I'm remembering correctly. I can't see the
thing, as it's berried pretty good, so it's just feeling around down
there for me.

In any case, I can't seam to figure out a good way to get at it. It
seams like it should just screw out and all would be good, but I can't
get a tool down there to do it. I'm thinking about raising the engine
and trying to get at it that way, but it just seams like there must be
an easier way to get it. It's a freakin oil sending unit for gosh
sake! Haha.

Thanks for any help, it's much appreciated and will probably save some
of my hair!

-jason

 

That's what the picture in my 1988 Prelude service manual shows and it's
probably not much different for your 1987.

Confirm that you're looking in the right area above the oil filter. The oil
pressure switch (as Honda labels it) has a single wire terminal. That terminal
is connected to a yellow wire with a red stripe which goes to the integrated
control unit. The switch is closed to ground when the engine is stopped and
open with sufficient oil pressure.

Apparently you can just pull off the yellow/red wire and stick a socket wrench
over the switch and turn counterclockwise. Start with a 17 mm socket. The
manual doesn't give the wrench size but it does say that the tightening torque
is 13 lb-ft [sic]. "Use proper liquid sealant."

Are you sure it's bad?

 

Thanks, I'll give that a try this weekend.

I'm not 100% that it's bad, but I'm pretty sure it's leaking from that
unit.

-jason

 

That's a pretty common way they fail. It usually comes with intermittent oil
pressure warning lights.

Mike

 

Jack the car up and set it on some stands or drive it up on some ramps.
Remove the oil filter. You should be able to easily gain access to the
switch. You can buy special "oil sending unit sockets" for the switch or
you can just use a large socket if you have one around. I can't remember
exactly, but it's probably around 24 mm. Put a clean rag over the oil
filter when it's off the engine to help keep the dirt out.

Eric

 

....and put a light coat of ultra grey silicone on the threads.
http://tinyurl.com/lk38b Do not use standard red, blue, or black silicone
on a Honda, anywhere. It just doesn't adhere well to metal. Honda actually
specs their own "ultra grey" silicone. You can buy it at a dealer under the
name Hondabond. It's a bit on the expensive side though and the other stuff
I linked to above should be just fine.

Eric