HELP- oil leak
Thread Starter
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From: Tennessee, US
Car Info: 98 Impreza RS
HELP- oil leak
I have developed an oil leak in the past month or two. It only leaks when i am driving. It seems to be coming from the plastic cover below the crank pulley on the front of the engine. I don't know what's under that shroud. I'm hoping somebody could shed some light, then maybe i can fix it while avoiding an auto shop. It leaks enough that it gets onto the header and oil pan, which makes a burning smell. Any shared knowledge would be appreciated.
thanks
luke
thanks
luke
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 527
From: Glen Rock, PA
Car Info: 95 Impreza coup, green, 5speed 1.8l awd
it sounds like the front main seal
if you want to replace it you need to take the AC and accessory belt off then crank pulley then remove shroud then timing belt and then i think you can get to it but you might have to remove the timing cog too and i have not looked at it that close
if you want to replace it you need to take the AC and accessory belt off then crank pulley then remove shroud then timing belt and then i think you can get to it but you might have to remove the timing cog too and i have not looked at it that close
I have an oil leak in the same place on my '99 2.2L
My local Subaru-only mechanic (independent) says it is the oil pump. The screws holding the back plate on the back-side (block-side) of the pump just back themselves out, and leak, and it shows up at the front of the motor. He says just tightening them up with some Loktite will do it for life. He did it on my friend's '97 (with 150,000 miles on it), and it did the trick. He says no main seal work is necessary.
For $400.00 including a new timing belt while he's in there, I'm having him do it.
Cheers,
chrx
My local Subaru-only mechanic (independent) says it is the oil pump. The screws holding the back plate on the back-side (block-side) of the pump just back themselves out, and leak, and it shows up at the front of the motor. He says just tightening them up with some Loktite will do it for life. He did it on my friend's '97 (with 150,000 miles on it), and it did the trick. He says no main seal work is necessary.
For $400.00 including a new timing belt while he's in there, I'm having him do it.
Cheers,
chrx
Thread Starter
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From: Tennessee, US
Car Info: 98 Impreza RS
thanks for the responses. i'm going to take it in to have it looked at. sounds like too much for me. i'll let you guys know what it was when i find out.
luke
luke
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if you're having it all taken apart, have him do everything. when i worked in the shop we would almost never replace one seal behind the timing belt. if the timing belt comes off, we told the customer that they should all be replaced. and this was not a sales ploy.
if just the crank seal is leaking now, the oil pump and o-ring will leak shortly. replace oil pump seals(o ring, and grey rtv cement between oil pump and block), front crank seal, and cam seals as well as timing belt. we saw far too many "well just do that one" sort of things. a month later they come back, yelling and screaming b/c they are leaking again, and we didn't fix the problem. it just saves time and energy, and money to do it all at once. and then you're good to go for another 60-100k.
-PJ
if just the crank seal is leaking now, the oil pump and o-ring will leak shortly. replace oil pump seals(o ring, and grey rtv cement between oil pump and block), front crank seal, and cam seals as well as timing belt. we saw far too many "well just do that one" sort of things. a month later they come back, yelling and screaming b/c they are leaking again, and we didn't fix the problem. it just saves time and energy, and money to do it all at once. and then you're good to go for another 60-100k.
-PJ
This sounds like a common Sub problem....
I had my 98 RS in for 60K service a fw weeks back and afterward, they told me they noticed some leaking around the oil pump AND the main valve seal.... said about 450 for the oil pump fix and 250 for the main seal repair...
haven't had the $$ to do that lately....
should I get this stuff done ASAP?
they told me it something I should "keep an eye on"....
do those prices seem reasonable?
should I try to have both done at the smae time (like mentioned above)?
I could use a little advice...
thanks
I had my 98 RS in for 60K service a fw weeks back and afterward, they told me they noticed some leaking around the oil pump AND the main valve seal.... said about 450 for the oil pump fix and 250 for the main seal repair...
haven't had the $$ to do that lately....
should I get this stuff done ASAP?
they told me it something I should "keep an eye on"....
do those prices seem reasonable?
should I try to have both done at the smae time (like mentioned above)?
I could use a little advice...
thanks
Guest
Posts: n/a
This is a VERY common leak for all Subaru engines, which is why they made the pumps resealable, all of the expert Suby mechs have told me. I have the same leak and they said the most important thing to do is CONSTANTLY check your oil level if you have ANY leak b/c the valves are very touchy about the correct level. On mine I actually heard a bit of tapping from the valves when driving it cold when my levels got a bit too low. Sure enough when I topped it off, the noise stopped, so that's what you need to "keep an eye on". Once you start smelling burning oil (leaking enough to drip onto pan, block and headers), you shouldn't wait more that a couple weeks or 7,500 miles at the most if you can b/c your timing belt will get oil soaked making it heavier and feels kinda laggish when cold- mine does cause I haven't been able to fix mine either....so, yes, do it ASAP.
-A.
-A.
thanx Z
I do smell it a little when I get off the highway/@lower speeds....
looks like it's time....
kinda pisses me off that it's bascally a SUBARU problem....
one that they seem to/should be well aware of...
they should just charge me for labor....
got mine used...no more warranty...
I do smell it a little when I get off the highway/@lower speeds....
looks like it's time....
kinda pisses me off that it's bascally a SUBARU problem....
one that they seem to/should be well aware of...
they should just charge me for labor....
got mine used...no more warranty...
Thread Starter
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From: Tennessee, US
Car Info: 98 Impreza RS
You should get it fixed, but not at those prices. I'm not exactly sure how much it should be, but definately not 450. Should be well under 100.
luke
luke
replace the front crank seal(oil pump seal) remove the oil pump and the screws to the cover may or may not be loose.check the pump clearances and replaced the small o'ring on back side of pump.camshaft seals up to you.on the crank seal if it is black in color they all leak.new one is brown in color.
they told me it's labor intensive to get to it (about a 1/2 day project)....I think I'll ask around some other shops to get some other opinions/price quotes.... seems pretty steep to me.....
do you think burning smell most likely comming from the pump leak or the main valave seal (or both)???
guess I should probably go ahead and just have both done at the samr time.....
do you think burning smell most likely comming from the pump leak or the main valave seal (or both)???
guess I should probably go ahead and just have both done at the samr time.....
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 258
From: Tennessee, US
Car Info: 98 Impreza RS
Burning smell usually just means (in this case) that oil is dripping down and burning on the header. There is no way to tell until you get into the engine. It could be either, since they are located close together. More than likely it is not the main valve seal. At least hope it's not.
luke
luke


