Outback engine leak.

outback02 · Post by **outback02** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:33 pm

Hey guys, i have a mystery at hand regarding my 02 outback..
A while ago i had some smoke coming from my engine and on closer inspection i found it to be an oil leak that had made its way to my exhaust, after cleaning and degreasing underneath i waited for any new signs of oil wasn`t to easy considering my oil is exceptionally clean, i found the oil to be coming from the main seal and another patch on the rear of the sump. i took it to a mechanic to see what his opinion was... result surprise surprise! main seal and oil sump..
the damage on the quote was ridiculous. i decided to drive a few hours to a mates subaru workshop. we pulled it apart for our own diagnosis. Definately coming from main seal, as for the sump which i hear is unheard of for later model subaru`s without a big hit did not seem to have any signs of a leak. We replaced the seal cleaned it and took it for a good run, on return noticed that the oil had once again leaked. took it apart again this time including the oil pump to check for any blockage or malfunction in the pressure release valve, on inspection its in perfect working order.. frustrating!!!! There was no other signs or any reasons why it would be leaking.. we cleaned it re sealed it and replaced the main seal again. drove back to my town from perth and as expected the test run again showed the same leak back again..

Please if anyone knows of anything else it could be i would be very appreciative of any input you can give. Also thought about installing a speedy sleeve but not sure if they even make them for subarus?

Xtreme_RX · Post by **Xtreme_RX** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:18 pm

If the surface on the crank is damaged ie. scuff mark, run lines ect it will never seal. It will just keep eating seals out.

Check that the crank is the correct size for the oil seal.

shuffbag · Post by **shuffbag** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:33 pm

i have a mistery leak with my ej22, i think it is power steering pump??? it makes its way onto the d/side of the header it is clean oil to (clear). i,ve checked the engine,cam covers its the only thing i think it could be.

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:51 pm

shuffbag wrote:i have a mistery leak with my ej22, i think it is power steering pump??? it makes its way onto the d/side of the header it is clean oil to (clear). i,ve checked the engine,cam covers its the only thing i think it could be.

Common problem with EJs, its a small o ring that is under the reservoir, never lasts long, and I just put 1 cup (from the bottle) of brake fluid in and works like a treat, never leaks since...

Another common place for EJ22 is the dizzy (distributor) cap seal (no EJ has dizzy but there is a place for dizzy) and the o ring becomes brittle there hence oil leaks, get a new o ring and place high temp. silicone on it

Other way is the rocker cover's seals could be on its way out..
Cheers
AP

outback02 · Post by **outback02** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:27 pm

Xtreme_RX wrote:If the surface on the crank is damaged ie. scuff mark, run lines ect it will never seal. It will just keep eating seals out.

Check that the crank is the correct size for the oil seal.

Thanks for the tip Xtreme, hey anything is worth a look as both myself and the mechanic are left baffled.. its a real pain coz we only recently purchased this car and what makes it worse was a private sale.
Will check crank and get back to you otherwise if anyone else has any suggestions that would be great. thinking of ringing subaru and ask them if i dont get anywhere soon.

Thanks again to all who have replied:)

Matatak · Post by **Matatak** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:33 pm

you didnt end up doing the Sump ? why not ?

outback02 · Post by **outback02** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:49 pm

Matatak wrote:you didnt end up doing the Sump ? why not ?

I brought this up to our mechanic friend, he said like i stated in my original post that a leaking sump was almost unheard of.. having said that he did have a look at it tho and it seems ok. the oil is dripping from the rubber seal between the timing belt cover and the engine where the 2 central bolts are situated joining the two. is it possible the crank could be the cause? when opened it up we found the source of the oil, main gasket seal infront of oil pump and after pulling it all apart checking it and replacing the seal again the problem continues.

FROG · Post by **FROG** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:09 am

I find that very unusual are you using the correct seal should be part number 80673 3030 should cost less than 15 bucks

check the crank for damage as previously suggested

good luck

steve_rising_sun · Post by **steve_rising_sun** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:26 am

Did you seal the little plastic cover near the rear main? It is common problem.
Steve

outback02 · Post by **outback02** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:09 pm

FROG I find that very unusual are you using the correct seal should be part number 80673 3030 should cost less than 15 bucks

check the crank for damage as previously suggested

good luck

Yes we find it very unusual also

Yes picked up the correct part from subaru parts cost me $10.45 wholesale.
I plan to check the crank asap, this is why i was wondering if a speedy sleeve would help but wasn`t sure if they were available for subaru engines or would i have to custom make one??

SCOOBIDOO · Post by **SCOOBIDOO** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:20 pm

outback02 wrote:Hey guys, i have a mystery at hand regarding my 02 outback..
A while ago i had some smoke coming from my engine and on closer inspection i found it to be an oil leak that had made its way to my exhaust, after cleaning and degreasing underneath i waited for any new signs of oil wasn`t to easy considering my oil is exceptionally clean, i found the oil to be coming from the main seal and another patch on the rear of the sump. i took it to a mechanic to see what his opinion was... result surprise surprise! main seal and oil sump..
the damage on the quote was ridiculous. i decided to drive a few hours to a mates subaru workshop. we pulled it apart for our own diagnosis. Definately coming from main seal, as for the sump which i hear is unheard of for later model subaru`s without a big hit did not seem to have any signs of a leak. We replaced the seal cleaned it and took it for a good run, on return noticed that the oil had once again leaked. took it apart again this time including the oil pump to check for any blockage or malfunction in the pressure release valve, on inspection its in perfect working order.. frustrating!!!! There was no other signs or any reasons why it would be leaking.. we cleaned it re sealed it and replaced the main seal again. drove back to my town from perth and as expected the test run again showed the same leak back again..

Please if anyone knows of anything else it could be i would be very appreciative of any input you can give. Also thought about installing a speedy sleeve but not sure if they even make them for subarus?

try running the engine with the filler cap loose ..as to prevent preasure build up..see if the leak stops..if it does you have mojor ring blow by..meaning the combustion is pressurising the sump and pumping oil out of the weakest leak..if not ..keep looking..cheers

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 10:21 am

SCOOBIDOO wrote:try running the engine with the filler cap loose ..as to prevent preasure build up..see if the leak stops..if it does you have mojor ring blow by..meaning the combustion is pressurising the sump and pumping oil out of the weakest leak..if not ..keep looking..cheers

That what I would be looking at... Compression build up in the engine...
Cheers
AP

outback02 · Post by **outback02** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 10:44 am

yes thanks scoobidoo, we figured it was a compression problem being why we removed the oil pump just to check the pressure release or the crank not being smooth as mentioned in xtreme`s post, i will definately be checking what you suggested with the filler cap.. thanks heaps!

If it is motor ring blow by...what would you suggest by way of repairs?

outback02 · Post by **outback02** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 11:37 am

After hearing about moto ring blow by..ive been thinking

Would there be a chance i may have dropped a cylinder? should i do a compression test? Considering blow by increases crank pressure so it escapes via weakest link being rear main seal.. i havent noticed any loss of power, but having said that its been like this since i bought it, i did get it looked over at the time but some people out there are magicians at hiding problems when it comes to a sale.

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 2:51 pm

outback02 wrote:After hearing about moto ring blow by..ive been thinking
Would there be a chance i may have dropped a cylinder? should i do a compression test? Considering blow by increases crank pressure so it escapes via weakest link being rear main seal.. i havent noticed any loss of power, but having said that its been like this since i bought it, i did get it looked over at the time but some people out there are magicians at hiding problems when it comes to a sale.

You wouldnt notice any difference unless you have driven another car the same with perfect engine then you'll notice...

You can do compression test in all 4 cylinders, mechanic would have a tester and would be able to tell you. What is the oil like? Is it black or gold?

Cheers
AP

outback02 · Post by **outback02** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 3:45 pm

thanks alpine

the oil is gold... changed the oil about 2000K ago still real clean.
i have driven one the same model as mine, didnt notice much difference besides my clutch feeling alot newer :S

Will organize the cylinder test asap

outback02 · Post by **outback02** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 1:15 pm

Spoke to the mechanic, he thinks doing a compression test is fine but probably a waste of time, he reckons the first place pressure would build up from blow by would be the rocker covers??

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:29 am

outback02 wrote:Spoke to the mechanic, he thinks doing a compression test is fine but probably a waste of time, he reckons the first place pressure would build up from blow by would be the rocker covers?? Man things are becoming a little complicated, sometimes i think if he has seen it a few times but is yet to rectify the problem maybe he isnt the best person to take it to.. even tho he is a subaru mechanic

You never know mate... just get the job done as you never know... not waste of time as its worth it to know the answer.
Cheers
AP