Help - what could be causing this leak

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 17, 2015 | 11:13 PM
  #1  
91vtec's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,357
From: San Jose
Car Info: 2011 Sti SWP
Help - what could be causing this leak

Hello All,

I was working under my car and noticied a bit of oil near the boot for the passenger side rack n pinion. See pic. I checked boot and lines that were close by but couldnt see where or what caused it. Any ideas?

I cleaned the area and will check in a few days to see if i can find the leak that way.



Help - what could be causing this leak-image-513210368.jpg
Old Mar 18, 2015 | 10:07 AM
  #2  
04GG's Avatar
If in doubt, FLAT OUT
iTrader: (33)
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,046
From: Nor Cal SJ
Car Info: 2010 Hatch, 2011 Sedan
Did you check the PS fluid? Sounds like the rack is leaking, which you might start looking for a new rack. Can't quite tell from that pic, because it could be coming from somewhere else, so check it in a few days and see if it is back like you said.
Old Mar 18, 2015 | 01:06 PM
  #3  
91vtec's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,357
From: San Jose
Car Info: 2011 Sti SWP
Ps fluid level hasnt dropped at all....we shall see in a couple of days
Old Mar 18, 2015 | 01:09 PM
  #4  
El Wray's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 209
From: South Bay
Car Info: DGM STI
2009 STI here. Mine died about a month ago at 70K and had to be replaced. Power steering was low, leaking at the pinion valve. More or less the same as this:
Steering rack leaking. - Subaru Impreza WRX STI Forums: IWSTI.com

Name:  2romlxM.jpg
Views: 19
Size:  154.6 KB
Old Mar 18, 2015 | 01:26 PM
  #5  
02RS25's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,037
From: Los Altos, CA
Car Info: 2002 Impreza RS, 2005 Impreza RS-20K
ive seen newer wrx/stis leak at valve housing to rack gasket. its a very thin metal gasket that goes in between. racks almost never leak internally. usually external leaks like orings on connection fittions and housing gasket
Old Mar 18, 2015 | 07:00 PM
  #6  
91vtec's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,357
From: San Jose
Car Info: 2011 Sti SWP
That would suck if the whole rack needs replacement.

What is the difference between a 2015 sti r&p than a 2011?
Old Mar 18, 2015 | 07:09 PM
  #7  
El Wray's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 209
From: South Bay
Car Info: DGM STI

Found a deal on a 2013 rack with very low mileage. (Someone that swapped just because they wanted 13:1.) Wasn't worth it to me to pay 2-3x the price for a new 2015 rack.

Last edited by El Wray; Mar 18, 2015 at 07:11 PM.
Old Mar 18, 2015 | 07:12 PM
  #8  
BreadSauce's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 107
From: Santa Rosa CA
Car Info: 2005 Subaru Wrx STi
Since its the passenger side It's probably not the pinion seal. I would check the turbo oil drain back rubber line next to your up pipe. If the oil appears to be coming from above that I would check you turbo. Sometimes the turbo inlets rip causing oil to leak on that side. Also the pcv breather from the block is right in front of the turbo. I would start at your highest point and work your way down.

If its only on the rack boot and nothing higher I'd pull it back the boot and check for oil inside leaking past the inner tie rod seal.

From the color in the pic looks like engine oil to me not p/s fluid. What kind of boost are you pushing? Do you get excessive oil blow by in your pcv/intake system
Old Mar 18, 2015 | 08:16 PM
  #9  
91vtec's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,357
From: San Jose
Car Info: 2011 Sti SWP
Gotta hand it to youtube lol should of done a search first before posting the question.

Thanks for posting that, very helpful.

I did have a leak awhile back on my pcv area, maybe thats what it is...leak has been fixed.

Ill check back in a few days, hopefully it was drip from the pcv.

Turbo is fine, no leaks there.

Thanks all for your help!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
07wrxguy
Sacramento & Reno
3
Apr 22, 2012 07:35 PM
07wrxguy
NorCal Classifieds
1
Apr 19, 2012 10:59 PM
Imported209
Drivetrain
4
Jul 25, 2010 10:12 AM
Krinkov
Bay Area
17
Dec 1, 2003 09:03 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:38 PM.