2003 Civic EX oil leak
 

I have a 2003 Honda Civic that I've had since it was new...regular oil changes, seals/belts replaced at 110k. Fast forward a few years and I now have 187k on the car and is still running well but has developed a bit of an oil leak. Can see in the pic that there is oil all over the front of the engine block...it's nothing major yet (changed the oil and figure it still had at least 3 and 1/4 quart in it. Any ideas where the leak may be coming from? The valve cover isn't leaking as I checked all around it...but can't seem to see where this is coming from.

Is it the cam plug, or the VTEC solenoid?

I think you nailed it with the cam plug...after looking at a youtube video it seems like that is exactly where it is coming from. I'll take a closer look this evening. Thanks MK.

I looked at this on lunch...this is exactly what appears to be going on as it is slowly leaking oil over the top of the trans and seaping down the front of the block. Went and got a replacement seal on lunch and below is the YouTube video I referenced (he doesn't show removing the distributor but a good video)

haha weird, i have a 2003 honda civic ex too, just joined here cause i saw your post and i have 180k miles and noticed the same exact issue, oil is on top of the tranny and front of header and block. I already changed a head gasket and valve cover gasket, and hoping its not the head gasket again somehow...

Hope to isolate the problem to the cam plug, seems like a cheap fix. Let me know how it goes!:D

I changed the cam plug the weekend after I posted this and haven't seen any oil leaking since. (It was alot easier to do if you take the battery, then airbox out because the nuts on the distributor are hard to get to). I gently removed the old cam plug, put a little bit of sealant around the edge of the new cam plug and popped it in. I have checked it a few times since and have seen no new oil anywhere in the engine compartment (wiped down a few areas where it had been leaking over the tranny and block). Sounds exactly the same as my issue Tenacity.

Good to know! The problem started when i smelt burning oil inside the cabin. I pressure washed, the block and where ever i saw oil and again there it was! I need to go to dealership and buy myself a new header plug .... Doesn't seem to difficult to get to. I think you made a good call removing the intake to get at it, although i'm not sure I'm going to remove the battery as well :P

And our honda's live on.... hopefully :D

I had the same problem with my 2002 Honda Civic. It was the Variable Timing Selenoid. It's found in the back of the Valve cover housing. Pretty costly for a small part such as itself.