Smell Oil?
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Smell Oil?
I recently purchased a 99 SUS LTD and noticed that I can smell oil comming through the cab when at Idle and running the heat. Kind of concerning... until I found out that this is a COMMON problem with pre 2002 Subies.
I looked underneath and saw what looked to be alot of oil leaked onto my exhaust. Luckily, I found out that is common of 97-02ish subies and is relatively cheap to repair compared to the OTHER AWD.
Leakey oil pump seal. $280 w/labor. The problem is that the oil drips down onto the timing belt and results in a ruined timing belt given enough time. So get it taken care of and save yourself the cost of the timing belt. Or, if you've had this for awhile and your dealer tells you to take care of both... DO. Double labor otherwise. Also, if you're between 70k and 110k miles, it's about time for a timing belt any way.
Hope this helps answer some questions.
I looked underneath and saw what looked to be alot of oil leaked onto my exhaust. Luckily, I found out that is common of 97-02ish subies and is relatively cheap to repair compared to the OTHER AWD.
Leakey oil pump seal. $280 w/labor. The problem is that the oil drips down onto the timing belt and results in a ruined timing belt given enough time. So get it taken care of and save yourself the cost of the timing belt. Or, if you've had this for awhile and your dealer tells you to take care of both... DO. Double labor otherwise. Also, if you're between 70k and 110k miles, it's about time for a timing belt any way.
Hope this helps answer some questions.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2
From: Rochester, NH
Car Info: 96 Subaru Legacy "L" Sedan
The problem may be slightly different on the 95s and 96s, but I know from personal experience, that if the Oil pump seal is damaged and or leaking to some extent, it will blow out of the timing cover and onto the exhaust manifold... Missing the actual Timing Belt all-together.
-Before starting the job of replacing the seal on my 96 2.2l, I got a price quote on the job, they were going to bone me a whole $426 to replace that, and the timing belt (claiming that it would be soaked in oil and indefinately damaged).
-My seal was shot, but the belt couldn't be more dry (This was imediately after a 300 mile trip) so I returned the belt and got my $40 back
-My reason for sharing this story is in hopes to SAVE someone with a 95+ legacy 2.2l from buying a "new belt" in a similar situation. The reason the oil misses the belt is the two vents located in the center piece of the timing cover. The oil makes a direct path from the
leaky seal --> those two vents --> your exhaust manifold --> Nasty "fire hazard" and poignant oil smell.
----- Glad everything turned out okay with yours (If the timing belt had never been replaced before, there is still a good chance the stock one WAS worth replacing) This is currently my second.
-Before starting the job of replacing the seal on my 96 2.2l, I got a price quote on the job, they were going to bone me a whole $426 to replace that, and the timing belt (claiming that it would be soaked in oil and indefinately damaged).
-My seal was shot, but the belt couldn't be more dry (This was imediately after a 300 mile trip) so I returned the belt and got my $40 back
-My reason for sharing this story is in hopes to SAVE someone with a 95+ legacy 2.2l from buying a "new belt" in a similar situation. The reason the oil misses the belt is the two vents located in the center piece of the timing cover. The oil makes a direct path from the
leaky seal --> those two vents --> your exhaust manifold --> Nasty "fire hazard" and poignant oil smell.
----- Glad everything turned out okay with yours (If the timing belt had never been replaced before, there is still a good chance the stock one WAS worth replacing) This is currently my second.
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