95 L leaking oil like crazy

[NickTej22]

So far I've checked and replaced the valve cover gasket and grommets, oil pressure switch, checked the filer tube. Oil appears to be ask I've the bottom of the oil pan, the thermostat housing, along the timing cover (which I attempted to remove but Al the bolts kept twisting and breaking the plastic. I originally added too much oil (5qts) and drained some because I thought the upped pressure coups be forcing out oil. I'm not sure if I just didn't clean the engine thoroughly after I sprayed it with degreaser or not but the oil appears fresh. If it is a seal behind the timing cover for either the crank or cans, how much roughly would this repair cost at a shop? Any other ideas are appreciated, I will try to post pictures.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/01/44c814c5d2f42eaf-1.jpghttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/01/44c814c5d30c18a3-1.jpg

Also does this sensor leak?

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/01/44c814c5d32aec90-1.jpg

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[Wiscon_Mark]

When mine looked like this (and leaked like crazy) it was the front main seals (cam seals, crank seal) and they had nearly fallen out entirely. I had it all done with a timing belt job (which you're hopefully due for and didn't just have it done) and it cost a pretty penny but the car doesn't leak a drop now, and it runs great.

[whitelegacy23]

Yeah you want to check cam seals. I had one just two months ago pop out.

[NickTej22]

Oh awesome. That sucks.... I just wiped the underneath down better with a cloth so I can check more thoroughly where its coming from

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[NickTej22]

The leak is definitely coming from the timing cover where it seals. So I guess you guys are right... Where can I go from here as cheap as possible? What I'm unsure of is if this is just excess oil built up from when I over filed it to 5 quarts, maybe that pushed out from the seals?

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[chuckthefuk]

2 x cam seals & 1 x crank seal = $30 at the dealer..

Have you change the timing belt, water pump & t-stat yet?

Oh and the only seal on the back to worry about is the Rear Main Seal (rear crank seal) & the oil separator plate..

If you are not leaking from the back and have no need to pull the trans then don't worry about the RMS & OS

-Chuck

[NickTej22]

Thanks for the info, it doesn't seem to be leaking from the back. I just bought the car a few months ago so I'm not sure what's been done. I can take the timing cover off to check but it's broken and won't go back on after, not sure how important that is or if I can just run without a timing cover. I'm in Florida so not worried about snow getting in there.

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[harrymaneuvers]

And that sensor shouldnt be leaking oil onto the top of your engine on that third photo... I have a feeling that is power steering fluid leaking from the resevoir

[chuckthefuk]

Hey Nick,

Its Living Societies Destruction :-D

You can drive without the timing cover but rocks, road debrie, dust, etc will get in there and eventually destroy the idlers, drive gears, or worse get caught in the timing belt.

For a few bucks its not worth it.

From personal experience you should always change "timing belt, timiing belt tensioner, water pump, t-stat, front seals" every time you buy a used Subaru..

I've had many friends who did not listen to me because $500 at the dealer was out of the question since things "are working". Sure enough months later damage occurred.

A true refresh would include the 3x idlers, tensioner, water pump, oil pump seal, t-stat, timing belt, cam & crank seals, timing belt covers.

Its up to you. Check out http://www.subarugenuineparts.com <--- cheaper then the dealer.
-Chuck

[NickTej22]

Thanks for the list I have to look into all that, it's going to be tough being my families only vehicle and we song really have the money to do all this at the moment.

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[chuckthefuk]

Understood. Good luck with your repairs.

-Chuck

[Dead91silvia]

And that sensor shouldnt be leaking oil onto the top of your engine on that third photo... I have a feeling that is power steering fluid leaking from the resevoir

I have to agree here... My BD is doing the same thing, I got more oil from there then the rest of the motor. The seal/bearings go out over time. About a $100 for an aftermarket one... I think...



A true refresh would include the 3x idlers, tensioner, water pump (http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=water+pump), oil pump seal, t-stat, timing belt, cam & crank seals, timing belt covers.
-Chuck

Also agree here as well... Make sure to at least get a Gates belt if your doing it yourself and get a NEW water pump, not rebuilt. I just did this to a customers car and also my own. You will be good with all the expensive maintenance for a good long while if you do all this stuff... :smt023

[NickTej22]

Could there be a chance the leak is a run off from the oil pressure switch? I replaced it last night it was leaking pretty good as you can see in that picture of the sensor that gunk is buildup from the oil pressure switch.

so the 3 seals, oil plate seal? Gates belt, water pump, anything else?

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[Dead91silvia]

make sure all your bearing are good, if not replace them...

[chuckthefuk]

are you talking about the idlers?

[Wiscon_Mark]

Could there be a chance the leak is a run off from the oil pressure switch?

Yes. I had the exact same thing on mine, and that's what I thought when I saw the photo. Try to clean it all up and see if there's more leaking.

[Dead91silvia]

are you talking about the idlers?

Yeah, same thing... LOL

[NickTej22]

Took off the side of the timing cover, belt looks clean as hell and new, no oil on or or the cam gears. Guessing the oil pump gasket?

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[Wiscon_Mark]

There is an O-ring that can leak around the oil pump, yes.

Have you actually inspected the seals? It may just be leaking between the belt cover and the engine.