while changing my oil i noticed that on the left and right side of the block theres some oil accumulating.. looking up at the oilpan in front of it by the manifold theres a bolt that (i think) goes directly into the block.. its covered with oil while the bolt right next to it is not.. now on the otherside of the block across from this theres this piece of what feels like a gasket coming out of the block that has dried oil on it.. and next to that theres another thingy (not sure what it is exactly) that has oil on it it..

i dont have an oil leak.. nothing is actually dripping from the car.. but i belive this will develop into something like that i have pictures that i will post when i get home from work.. any information on this problem would be extremely helpful.. id like to get this diagnosed and fixed asap =P
thanks
--bobby

 

pictures of the areas :

http://home.comcast.net/~chokucombodrift/sealblock.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~chokucombodrift/oiledbolt.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~chokucombodrift/headeroil.JPG
--bobby

 

From the pics it looks like it is leaking from behind the timing belt cover. There are few things than can go bad. Main oil seal, oil pump seal, cam seals, valve cover gasget.

How many miles on the car? How old is the car?
Any mods?

 

29k.. a little over 2 yrs.. done track days/auto-x.. vishnu stg 1ish.. is there anyway to check exactly what the problem is?
--bobby

 

Speak with Egan when you get a chance. He had a leak from around that area, too. He figured out the cause of his car's problem. I just don't remember what it was.

--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

I noticed the other day when I was changing out my o2 sensor that I have a oil leak in the same place.

 

Oil pump seal or crank seal. Total parts = <$10. Time to repair = several hours.

Take it in to the dealer. It's not worth messing with yourself. As long as you don't have a crank pulley, they shouldn't say anything about your mods. This is a fairly common problem with the WRX and is not caused by excessive power or modifications.

The dealer will have to pull the crank pulley, the timing belt cover, the timing belt, the tensioner, and then the oil pump. Then they'll have to change either/both of the seals and reseal the oil pump to the block. The tensioner has to be reloaded correctly. The timing belt may need to be replaced depnding on how much oil leaked on it. The timing belt cover gasket will definitely have to be replaced.

Call Maita and ask them about it. Stay away form the other Sac dealers. If you're going to do it in the Bay Area, hit up Carlsen in Redwood City or Santa Cruz (they did mine).