If the pan is leaking there will only be a lubrication problem if the oil level is low because oil has leaked out. Low oil level could explain the noise, but the noise isn't caused by the gasket itself. The oil pan just holds oil, it isn't part of the pressurized oil system that feeds oil to the pistons. If you have an oil pan with built in oil squirters, that could be a different story, but I don't think that applies here (most squirters aren't integral to the pan).

If you're looking at buying this car, get it checked out thoroughly before you do. It sounds like it's got engine problems, and they likely go much deeper than a leaky pan gasket.

I would suspect the engine has either been rebuilt sloppily, or has had the living shit beat out of it.



Anyone else with more Prelude knowledge have an opinion?