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HELP- oil leak

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Old Oct 13, 2003 | 01:44 PM
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Lavery's Avatar
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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
Old Oct 13, 2003 | 03:11 PM
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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
Old Oct 13, 2003 | 04:16 PM
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Car Info: 1999 Impreza L wagon
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
Old Oct 13, 2003 | 05:53 PM
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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
Old Oct 14, 2003 | 12:37 PM
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forgot about the pump but it can be hard to tell til you get the cover off because both problem that occur normaly
Old Oct 14, 2003 | 01:44 PM
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it was diagnosed as a seal around the pump. i'm gonna have him fix it.

luke
Old Oct 16, 2003 | 05:27 PM
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too late, but thanks for the info.

luke
Old Oct 17, 2003 | 07:06 AM
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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
Old Oct 17, 2003 | 12:13 PM
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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...
Old Oct 17, 2003 | 12:23 PM
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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
Old Oct 17, 2003 | 12:24 PM
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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.
Old Oct 20, 2003 | 11:07 AM
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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.....
Old Oct 20, 2003 | 01:22 PM
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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



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