Front end oil leak..Again 98 Outback

cocoon wrote:
> My 98 Outback began leaking oil from the front end at around 86K
> miles. I took it to my Sub dealer and had him replace the timing belt,
> cam seals, crank seal, oil pump seal, water pump and thermostat. This
> was in July 2004. Now I'm getting the same symptoms again, heavy
> burning smell after freeway driving, heavy oil coating the skid plate
> while the oil pan is completely clean. I drive this car very little it
> is now at 99K. Do I have this to look forward to every 10K miles. Did
> the dealer do something wrong? I thought maybe I should change to a
> heavier oil 10W30 instead of the 5W30 I've been using. I change every
> 3K miles or 6 months. I added a bottle of stop leak stuff to see if it
> helps. The work ran close to $1000 so I don't look forward to doing it
> every couple years. Any advice?

I have a '99 Outback and I'm starting
to see some seepage around the valve
cover gaskets. I bought a set of new
gaskets but haven't had the time or
motivation to replace them yet.

I changed the cam and crank seals back
in '03 and that problem stayed fixed.

The stop leak probably won't help and
going to a thicker oil might slow it
down some.

The bottom line is that the engine is
8 years old and the seals will fail.
I belive that the seal lifetime will
be more dependent on the age of the
engine rather than the mileage.

The flat design of the Subaru engine
tends to make it something of an oil
dripper by nature.
 >> Stay informed about: Front end oil leak..Again 98 Outback 

On Thu, 02 Nov 2006 10:44:30 -0800, Jim Stewart
wrote:

>cocoon wrote:
>> My 98 Outback began leaking oil from the front end at around 86K
>> miles. I took it to my Sub dealer and had him replace the timing belt,
>> cam seals, crank seal, oil pump seal, water pump and thermostat. This
>> was in July 2004. Now I'm getting the same symptoms again, heavy
>> burning smell after freeway driving, heavy oil coating the skid plate
>> while the oil pan is completely clean. I drive this car very little it
>> is now at 99K. Do I have this to look forward to every 10K miles. Did
>> the dealer do something wrong? I thought maybe I should change to a
>> heavier oil 10W30 instead of the 5W30 I've been using. I change every
>> 3K miles or 6 months. I added a bottle of stop leak stuff to see if it
>> helps. The work ran close to $1000 so I don't look forward to doing it
>> every couple years. Any advice?
>
>I have a '99 Outback and I'm starting
>to see some seepage around the valve
>cover gaskets. I bought a set of new
>gaskets but haven't had the time or
>motivation to replace them yet.
>
>I changed the cam and crank seals back
>in '03 and that problem stayed fixed.
>
>The stop leak probably won't help and
>going to a thicker oil might slow it
>down some.
>
>The bottom line is that the engine is
>8 years old and the seals will fail.
>I belive that the seal lifetime will
>be more dependent on the age of the
>engine rather than the mileage.
>
>The flat design of the Subaru engine
>tends to make it something of an oil
>dripper by nature.

My point is that my seals were changed two years ago and now they're
failing again. Are you saying that because the engine is 8 years old
the seals are going to continue to fail no matter how many times
they're replaced?
 >> Stay informed about: Front end oil leak..Again 98 Outback 

On Thu, 02 Nov 2006 10:44:30 -0800, Jim Stewart
wrote:

>cocoon wrote:
>> My 98 Outback began leaking oil from the front end at around 86K
>> miles. I took it to my Sub dealer and had him replace the timing belt,
>> cam seals, crank seal, oil pump seal, water pump and thermostat. This
>> was in July 2004. Now I'm getting the same symptoms again, heavy
>> burning smell after freeway driving, heavy oil coating the skid plate
>> while the oil pan is completely clean. I drive this car very little it
>> is now at 99K. Do I have this to look forward to every 10K miles. Did
>> the dealer do something wrong? I thought maybe I should change to a
>> heavier oil 10W30 instead of the 5W30 I've been using. I change every
>> 3K miles or 6 months. I added a bottle of stop leak stuff to see if it
>> helps. The work ran close to $1000 so I don't look forward to doing it
>> every couple years. Any advice?
>
>I have a '99 Outback and I'm starting
>to see some seepage around the valve
>cover gaskets. I bought a set of new
>gaskets but haven't had the time or
>motivation to replace them yet.
>
>I changed the cam and crank seals back
>in '03 and that problem stayed fixed.
>
>The stop leak probably won't help and
>going to a thicker oil might slow it
>down some.
>
>The bottom line is that the engine is
>8 years old and the seals will fail.
>I belive that the seal lifetime will
>be more dependent on the age of the
>engine rather than the mileage.
>
>The flat design of the Subaru engine
>tends to make it something of an oil
>dripper by nature.

My point is that my seals were changed two years ago and now they're
failing again. Are you saying that because the engine is 8 years old
the seals are going to continue to fail no matter how many times
they're replaced?
 >> Stay informed about: Front end oil leak..Again 98 Outback 

cocoon wrote:

> On Thu, 02 Nov 2006 10:44:30 -0800, Jim Stewart
> wrote:
>
>
>>cocoon wrote:
>>
>>>My 98 Outback began leaking oil from the front end at around 86K
>>>miles. I took it to my Sub dealer and had him replace the timing belt,
>>>cam seals, crank seal, oil pump seal, water pump and thermostat. This
>>>was in July 2004. Now I'm getting the same symptoms again, heavy
>>>burning smell after freeway driving, heavy oil coating the skid plate
>>>while the oil pan is completely clean. I drive this car very little it
>>>is now at 99K. Do I have this to look forward to every 10K miles. Did
>>>the dealer do something wrong? I thought maybe I should change to a
>>>heavier oil 10W30 instead of the 5W30 I've been using. I change every
>>>3K miles or 6 months. I added a bottle of stop leak stuff to see if it
>>>helps. The work ran close to $1000 so I don't look forward to doing it
>>>every couple years. Any advice?
>>
>>I have a '99 Outback and I'm starting
>>to see some seepage around the valve
>>cover gaskets. I bought a set of new
>>gaskets but haven't had the time or
>>motivation to replace them yet.
>>
>>I changed the cam and crank seals back
>>in '03 and that problem stayed fixed.
>>
>>The stop leak probably won't help and
>>going to a thicker oil might slow it
>>down some.
>>
>>The bottom line is that the engine is
>>8 years old and the seals will fail.
>>I belive that the seal lifetime will
>>be more dependent on the age of the
>>engine rather than the mileage.
>>
>>The flat design of the Subaru engine
>>tends to make it something of an oil
>>dripper by nature.
>
>
> My point is that my seals were changed two years ago and now they're
> failing again. Are you saying that because the engine is 8 years old
> the seals are going to continue to fail no matter how many times
> they're replaced?

I guess I wasn't clear...

My first thought was that it is a different
set of seals that's causing your problem.
Like maybe your valve covers. I'll bet
they weren't changed with the crank and
cam seals.

Another possibility is that when the
crank seal was replaced, the oil pump
screws and O-ring weren't checked. There
was a known problem on my year model and
quite possibly yours where the oil pump
back cover screws would loosen and allow
pressurized oil to blow past the crank
seal. The fix is to locktite the screws.
I presume you don't have any way of
knowing whether or not that was done...

And finally, no, seals last way longer
than 2 years regardless of the engine's
age.
 >> Stay informed about: Front end oil leak..Again 98 Outback 

cocoon wrote:

> On Thu, 02 Nov 2006 10:44:30 -0800, Jim Stewart
> wrote:
>
>
>>cocoon wrote:
>>
>>>My 98 Outback began leaking oil from the front end at around 86K
>>>miles. I took it to my Sub dealer and had him replace the timing belt,
>>>cam seals, crank seal, oil pump seal, water pump and thermostat. This
>>>was in July 2004. Now I'm getting the same symptoms again, heavy
>>>burning smell after freeway driving, heavy oil coating the skid plate
>>>while the oil pan is completely clean. I drive this car very little it
>>>is now at 99K. Do I have this to look forward to every 10K miles. Did
>>>the dealer do something wrong? I thought maybe I should change to a
>>>heavier oil 10W30 instead of the 5W30 I've been using. I change every
>>>3K miles or 6 months. I added a bottle of stop leak stuff to see if it
>>>helps. The work ran close to $1000 so I don't look forward to doing it
>>>every couple years. Any advice?
>>
>>I have a '99 Outback and I'm starting
>>to see some seepage around the valve
>>cover gaskets. I bought a set of new
>>gaskets but haven't had the time or
>>motivation to replace them yet.
>>
>>I changed the cam and crank seals back
>>in '03 and that problem stayed fixed.
>>
>>The stop leak probably won't help and
>>going to a thicker oil might slow it
>>down some.
>>
>>The bottom line is that the engine is
>>8 years old and the seals will fail.
>>I belive that the seal lifetime will
>>be more dependent on the age of the
>>engine rather than the mileage.
>>
>>The flat design of the Subaru engine
>>tends to make it something of an oil
>>dripper by nature.
>
>
> My point is that my seals were changed two years ago and now they're
> failing again. Are you saying that because the engine is 8 years old
> the seals are going to continue to fail no matter how many times
> they're replaced?

I guess I wasn't clear...

My first thought was that it is a different
set of seals that's causing your problem.
Like maybe your valve covers. I'll bet
they weren't changed with the crank and
cam seals.

Another possibility is that when the
crank seal was replaced, the oil pump
screws and O-ring weren't checked. There
was a known problem on my year model and
quite possibly yours where the oil pump
back cover screws would loosen and allow
pressurized oil to blow past the crank
seal. The fix is to locktite the screws.
I presume you don't have any way of
knowing whether or not that was done...

And finally, no, seals last way longer
than 2 years regardless of the engine's
age.
 >> Stay informed about: Front end oil leak..Again 98 Outback 

cocoon wrote:
> My 98 Outback began leaking oil from the front end at around 86K
> miles. I took it to my Sub dealer and had him replace the timing belt,
> cam seals, crank seal, oil pump seal, water pump and thermostat. This
> was in July 2004. Now I'm getting the same symptoms again, heavy
> burning smell after freeway driving, heavy oil coating the skid plate
> while the oil pan is completely clean. I drive this car very little it
> is now at 99K. Do I have this to look forward to every 10K miles. Did
> the dealer do something wrong? I thought maybe I should change to a
> heavier oil 10W30 instead of the 5W30 I've been using. I change every
> 3K miles or 6 months. I added a bottle of stop leak stuff to see if it
> helps. The work ran close to $1000 so I don't look forward to doing it
> every couple years. Any advice?

My '95 Legacy had an oil leak and my mechanic replaced the oil pump and
that did the trick. I did find on another message board the claim that
the return oil journal was too narrow and to drill it out with an 1/8"
drill bit. If the problem is an oil pressure problem caused by a
constricted oil journal, replacing the oil pump gasket won't solve the
problem. The back pressure on the gasket will cause the new gasket to
fail just like the old one did.
 >> Stay informed about: Front end oil leak..Again 98 Outback 

cocoon wrote:
> My 98 Outback began leaking oil from the front end at around 86K
> miles. I took it to my Sub dealer and had him replace the timing belt,
> cam seals, crank seal, oil pump seal, water pump and thermostat. This
> was in July 2004. Now I'm getting the same symptoms again, heavy
> burning smell after freeway driving, heavy oil coating the skid plate
> while the oil pan is completely clean. I drive this car very little it
> is now at 99K. Do I have this to look forward to every 10K miles. Did
> the dealer do something wrong? I thought maybe I should change to a
> heavier oil 10W30 instead of the 5W30 I've been using. I change every
> 3K miles or 6 months. I added a bottle of stop leak stuff to see if it
> helps. The work ran close to $1000 so I don't look forward to doing it
> every couple years. Any advice?

My '95 Legacy had an oil leak and my mechanic replaced the oil pump and
that did the trick. I did find on another message board the claim that
the return oil journal was too narrow and to drill it out with an 1/8"
drill bit. If the problem is an oil pressure problem caused by a
constricted oil journal, replacing the oil pump gasket won't solve the
problem. The back pressure on the gasket will cause the new gasket to
fail just like the old one did.
 >> Stay informed about: Front end oil leak..Again 98 Outback 

cocoon wrote:
> On Thu, 02 Nov 2006 10:44:30 -0800, Jim Stewart
> wrote:
>
>> cocoon wrote:
>>> My 98 Outback began leaking oil from the front end at around 86K
>>> miles. I took it to my Sub dealer and had him replace the timing belt,
>>> cam seals, crank seal, oil pump seal, water pump and thermostat. This
>>> was in July 2004. Now I'm getting the same symptoms again, heavy
>>> burning smell after freeway driving, heavy oil coating the skid plate
>>> while the oil pan is completely clean. I drive this car very little it
>>> is now at 99K. Do I have this to look forward to every 10K miles. Did
>>> the dealer do something wrong? I thought maybe I should change to a
>>> heavier oil 10W30 instead of the 5W30 I've been using. I change every
>>> 3K miles or 6 months. I added a bottle of stop leak stuff to see if it
>>> helps. The work ran close to $1000 so I don't look forward to doing it
>>> every couple years. Any advice?
>> I have a '99 Outback and I'm starting
>> to see some seepage around the valve
>> cover gaskets. I bought a set of new
>> gaskets but haven't had the time or
>> motivation to replace them yet.
>>
>> I changed the cam and crank seals back
>> in '03 and that problem stayed fixed.
>>
>> The stop leak probably won't help and
>> going to a thicker oil might slow it
>> down some.
>>
>> The bottom line is that the engine is
>> 8 years old and the seals will fail.
>> I belive that the seal lifetime will
>> be more dependent on the age of the
>> engine rather than the mileage.
>>
>> The flat design of the Subaru engine
>> tends to make it something of an oil
>> dripper by nature.
>
> My point is that my seals were changed two years ago and now they're
> failing again. Are you saying that because the engine is 8 years old
> the seals are going to continue to fail no matter how many times
> they're replaced?

I think both posters are talking about different leak sources. I
interpret "seals" as the cam seals which are different from valve cover
gaskets. Valve cover gaskets are a known issue on Subaru flat fours (and
sixes) simply because they are vertical and have residual oil sitting on
the bottom at all times. They are nowhere near as expensive or labor
consuming as cam seals. (Still a pain in the ass tho...)

Is it possible to replace the cam seals *without* changing the valve
cover gaskets?
 >> Stay informed about: Front end oil leak..Again 98 Outback 

cocoon wrote:
> On Thu, 02 Nov 2006 10:44:30 -0800, Jim Stewart
> wrote:
>
>> cocoon wrote:
>>> My 98 Outback began leaking oil from the front end at around 86K
>>> miles. I took it to my Sub dealer and had him replace the timing belt,
>>> cam seals, crank seal, oil pump seal, water pump and thermostat. This
>>> was in July 2004. Now I'm getting the same symptoms again, heavy
>>> burning smell after freeway driving, heavy oil coating the skid plate
>>> while the oil pan is completely clean. I drive this car very little it
>>> is now at 99K. Do I have this to look forward to every 10K miles. Did
>>> the dealer do something wrong? I thought maybe I should change to a
>>> heavier oil 10W30 instead of the 5W30 I've been using. I change every
>>> 3K miles or 6 months. I added a bottle of stop leak stuff to see if it
>>> helps. The work ran close to $1000 so I don't look forward to doing it
>>> every couple years. Any advice?
>> I have a '99 Outback and I'm starting
>> to see some seepage around the valve
>> cover gaskets. I bought a set of new
>> gaskets but haven't had the time or
>> motivation to replace them yet.
>>
>> I changed the cam and crank seals back
>> in '03 and that problem stayed fixed.
>>
>> The stop leak probably won't help and
>> going to a thicker oil might slow it
>> down some.
>>
>> The bottom line is that the engine is
>> 8 years old and the seals will fail.
>> I belive that the seal lifetime will
>> be more dependent on the age of the
>> engine rather than the mileage.
>>
>> The flat design of the Subaru engine
>> tends to make it something of an oil
>> dripper by nature.
>
> My point is that my seals were changed two years ago and now they're
> failing again. Are you saying that because the engine is 8 years old
> the seals are going to continue to fail no matter how many times
> they're replaced?

I think both posters are talking about different leak sources. I
interpret "seals" as the cam seals which are different from valve cover
gaskets. Valve cover gaskets are a known issue on Subaru flat fours (and
sixes) simply because they are vertical and have residual oil sitting on
the bottom at all times. They are nowhere near as expensive or labor
consuming as cam seals. (Still a pain in the ass tho...)

Is it possible to replace the cam seals *without* changing the valve
cover gaskets?
 >> Stay informed about: Front end oil leak..Again 98 Outback 

On Sat, 04 Nov 2006 03:40:47 GMT, "nobody >"
wrote:

>cocoon wrote:
>> On Thu, 02 Nov 2006 10:44:30 -0800, Jim Stewart
>> wrote:
>>
>>> cocoon wrote:
>>>> My 98 Outback began leaking oil from the front end at around 86K
>>>> miles. I took it to my Sub dealer and had him replace the timing belt,
>>>> cam seals, crank seal, oil pump seal, water pump and thermostat. This
>>>> was in July 2004. Now I'm getting the same symptoms again, heavy
>>>> burning smell after freeway driving, heavy oil coating the skid plate
>>>> while the oil pan is completely clean. I drive this car very little it
>>>> is now at 99K. Do I have this to look forward to every 10K miles. Did
>>>> the dealer do something wrong? I thought maybe I should change to a
>>>> heavier oil 10W30 instead of the 5W30 I've been using. I change every
>>>> 3K miles or 6 months. I added a bottle of stop leak stuff to see if it
>>>> helps. The work ran close to $1000 so I don't look forward to doing it
>>>> every couple years. Any advice?
>>> I have a '99 Outback and I'm starting
>>> to see some seepage around the valve
>>> cover gaskets. I bought a set of new
>>> gaskets but haven't had the time or
>>> motivation to replace them yet.
>>>
>>> I changed the cam and crank seals back
>>> in '03 and that problem stayed fixed.
>>>
>>> The stop leak probably won't help and
>>> going to a thicker oil might slow it
>>> down some.
>>>
>>> The bottom line is that the engine is
>>> 8 years old and the seals will fail.
>>> I belive that the seal lifetime will
>>> be more dependent on the age of the
>>> engine rather than the mileage.
>>>
>>> The flat design of the Subaru engine
>>> tends to make it something of an oil
>>> dripper by nature.
>>
>> My point is that my seals were changed two years ago and now they're
>> failing again. Are you saying that because the engine is 8 years old
>> the seals are going to continue to fail no matter how many times
>> they're replaced?
>
>I think both posters are talking about different leak sources. I
>interpret "seals" as the cam seals which are different from valve cover
>gaskets. Valve cover gaskets are a known issue on Subaru flat fours (and
>sixes) simply because they are vertical and have residual oil sitting on
>the bottom at all times. They are nowhere near as expensive or labor
>consuming as cam seals. (Still a pain in the ass tho...)
>
>Is it possible to replace the cam seals *without* changing the valve
>cover gaskets?

I believe my leak is either the cam seals, crank seal, or oil pump
seal. The leak I get happens only when the car is freeway driven and
you can tell cause of the burnt oil smell. I don't get any oil drips
in the driveway. I am going to check the valve covers for signs of
leaking but I'd think if they were leaking I'd get drips on the
ground, right?
 >> Stay informed about: Front end oil leak..Again 98 Outback 

On Sat, 04 Nov 2006 03:40:47 GMT, "nobody >"
wrote:

>cocoon wrote:
>> On Thu, 02 Nov 2006 10:44:30 -0800, Jim Stewart
>> wrote:
>>
>>> cocoon wrote:
>>>> My 98 Outback began leaking oil from the front end at around 86K
>>>> miles. I took it to my Sub dealer and had him replace the timing belt,
>>>> cam seals, crank seal, oil pump seal, water pump and thermostat. This
>>>> was in July 2004. Now I'm getting the same symptoms again, heavy
>>>> burning smell after freeway driving, heavy oil coating the skid plate
>>>> while the oil pan is completely clean. I drive this car very little it
>>>> is now at 99K. Do I have this to look forward to every 10K miles. Did
>>>> the dealer do something wrong? I thought maybe I should change to a
>>>> heavier oil 10W30 instead of the 5W30 I've been using. I change every
>>>> 3K miles or 6 months. I added a bottle of stop leak stuff to see if it
>>>> helps. The work ran close to $1000 so I don't look forward to doing it
>>>> every couple years. Any advice?
>>> I have a '99 Outback and I'm starting
>>> to see some seepage around the valve
>>> cover gaskets. I bought a set of new
>>> gaskets but haven't had the time or
>>> motivation to replace them yet.
>>>
>>> I changed the cam and crank seals back
>>> in '03 and that problem stayed fixed.
>>>
>>> The stop leak probably won't help and
>>> going to a thicker oil might slow it
>>> down some.
>>>
>>> The bottom line is that the engine is
>>> 8 years old and the seals will fail.
>>> I belive that the seal lifetime will
>>> be more dependent on the age of the
>>> engine rather than the mileage.
>>>
>>> The flat design of the Subaru engine
>>> tends to make it something of an oil
>>> dripper by nature.
>>
>> My point is that my seals were changed two years ago and now they're
>> failing again. Are you saying that because the engine is 8 years old
>> the seals are going to continue to fail no matter how many times
>> they're replaced?
>
>I think both posters are talking about different leak sources. I
>interpret "seals" as the cam seals which are different from valve cover
>gaskets. Valve cover gaskets are a known issue on Subaru flat fours (and
>sixes) simply because they are vertical and have residual oil sitting on
>the bottom at all times. They are nowhere near as expensive or labor
>consuming as cam seals. (Still a pain in the ass tho...)
>
>Is it possible to replace the cam seals *without* changing the valve
>cover gaskets?

I believe my leak is either the cam seals, crank seal, or oil pump
seal. The leak I get happens only when the car is freeway driven and
you can tell cause of the burnt oil smell. I don't get any oil drips
in the driveway. I am going to check the valve covers for signs of
leaking but I'd think if they were leaking I'd get drips on the
ground, right?
 >> Stay informed about: Front end oil leak..Again 98 Outback 

cocoon wrote:

> On Sat, 04 Nov 2006 03:40:47 GMT, "nobody >"
> wrote:
>
>
>>cocoon wrote:
>>
>>>On Thu, 02 Nov 2006 10:44:30 -0800, Jim Stewart
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>cocoon wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>My 98 Outback began leaking oil from the front end at around 86K
>>>>>miles. I took it to my Sub dealer and had him replace the timing belt,
>>>>>cam seals, crank seal, oil pump seal, water pump and thermostat. This
>>>>>was in July 2004. Now I'm getting the same symptoms again, heavy
>>>>>burning smell after freeway driving, heavy oil coating the skid plate
>>>>>while the oil pan is completely clean. I drive this car very little it
>>>>>is now at 99K. Do I have this to look forward to every 10K miles. Did
>>>>>the dealer do something wrong? I thought maybe I should change to a
>>>>>heavier oil 10W30 instead of the 5W30 I've been using. I change every
>>>>>3K miles or 6 months. I added a bottle of stop leak stuff to see if it
>>>>>helps. The work ran close to $1000 so I don't look forward to doing it
>>>>>every couple years. Any advice?
>>>>
>>>>I have a '99 Outback and I'm starting
>>>>to see some seepage around the valve
>>>>cover gaskets. I bought a set of new
>>>>gaskets but haven't had the time or
>>>>motivation to replace them yet.
>>>>
>>>>I changed the cam and crank seals back
>>>>in '03 and that problem stayed fixed.
>>>>
>>>>The stop leak probably won't help and
>>>>going to a thicker oil might slow it
>>>>down some.
>>>>
>>>>The bottom line is that the engine is
>>>>8 years old and the seals will fail.
>>>>I belive that the seal lifetime will
>>>>be more dependent on the age of the
>>>>engine rather than the mileage.
>>>>
>>>>The flat design of the Subaru engine
>>>>tends to make it something of an oil
>>>>dripper by nature.
>>>
>>>My point is that my seals were changed two years ago and now they're
>>>failing again. Are you saying that because the engine is 8 years old
>>>the seals are going to continue to fail no matter how many times
>>>they're replaced?
>>
>>I think both posters are talking about different leak sources. I
>>interpret "seals" as the cam seals which are different from valve cover
>>gaskets. Valve cover gaskets are a known issue on Subaru flat fours (and
>>sixes) simply because they are vertical and have residual oil sitting on
>>the bottom at all times. They are nowhere near as expensive or labor
>>consuming as cam seals. (Still a pain in the ass tho...)
>>
>>Is it possible to replace the cam seals *without* changing the valve
>>cover gaskets?
>
>
> I believe my leak is either the cam seals, crank seal, or oil pump
> seal. The leak I get happens only when the car is freeway driven and
> you can tell cause of the burnt oil smell. I don't get any oil drips
> in the driveway. I am going to check the valve covers for signs of
> leaking but I'd think if they were leaking I'd get drips on the
> ground, right?

If you went to the car wash and cleaned the engine, especially
underneath, then let it idel in the driverway for 20-30 minutes would
you get any drips? perhaps a CV boot has split and slung grease onto the
exhaust?

I dunno


Carl


--
to reply, change ( .not) to ( .net)
 >> Stay informed about: Front end oil leak..Again 98 Outback 

cocoon wrote:

> On Sat, 04 Nov 2006 03:40:47 GMT, "nobody >"
> wrote:
>
>
>>cocoon wrote:
>>
>>>On Thu, 02 Nov 2006 10:44:30 -0800, Jim Stewart
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>cocoon wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>My 98 Outback began leaking oil from the front end at around 86K
>>>>>miles. I took it to my Sub dealer and had him replace the timing belt,
>>>>>cam seals, crank seal, oil pump seal, water pump and thermostat. This
>>>>>was in July 2004. Now I'm getting the same symptoms again, heavy
>>>>>burning smell after freeway driving, heavy oil coating the skid plate
>>>>>while the oil pan is completely clean. I drive this car very little it
>>>>>is now at 99K. Do I have this to look forward to every 10K miles. Did
>>>>>the dealer do something wrong? I thought maybe I should change to a
>>>>>heavier oil 10W30 instead of the 5W30 I've been using. I change every
>>>>>3K miles or 6 months. I added a bottle of stop leak stuff to see if it
>>>>>helps. The work ran close to $1000 so I don't look forward to doing it
>>>>>every couple years. Any advice?
>>>>
>>>>I have a '99 Outback and I'm starting
>>>>to see some seepage around the valve
>>>>cover gaskets. I bought a set of new
>>>>gaskets but haven't had the time or
>>>>motivation to replace them yet.
>>>>
>>>>I changed the cam and crank seals back
>>>>in '03 and that problem stayed fixed.
>>>>
>>>>The stop leak probably won't help and
>>>>going to a thicker oil might slow it
>>>>down some.
>>>>
>>>>The bottom line is that the engine is
>>>>8 years old and the seals will fail.
>>>>I belive that the seal lifetime will
>>>>be more dependent on the age of the
>>>>engine rather than the mileage.
>>>>
>>>>The flat design of the Subaru engine
>>>>tends to make it something of an oil
>>>>dripper by nature.
>>>
>>>My point is that my seals were changed two years ago and now they're
>>>failing again. Are you saying that because the engine is 8 years old
>>>the seals are going to continue to fail no matter how many times
>>>they're replaced?
>>
>>I think both posters are talking about different leak sources. I
>>interpret "seals" as the cam seals which are different from valve cover
>>gaskets. Valve cover gaskets are a known issue on Subaru flat fours (and
>>sixes) simply because they are vertical and have residual oil sitting on
>>the bottom at all times. They are nowhere near as expensive or labor
>>consuming as cam seals. (Still a pain in the ass tho...)
>>
>>Is it possible to replace the cam seals *without* changing the valve
>>cover gaskets?
>
>
> I believe my leak is either the cam seals, crank seal, or oil pump
> seal. The leak I get happens only when the car is freeway driven and
> you can tell cause of the burnt oil smell. I don't get any oil drips
> in the driveway. I am going to check the valve covers for signs of
> leaking but I'd think if they were leaking I'd get drips on the
> ground, right?

If you went to the car wash and cleaned the engine, especially
underneath, then let it idel in the driverway for 20-30 minutes would
you get any drips? perhaps a CV boot has split and slung grease onto the
exhaust?

I dunno


Carl


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