Oil pump leaking madness! What is going on!?

[anothernord]

So, the JDM engine I got many months ago was leaking oil somewhere around the oil pump. So went in and resealed it with a new o-ring. I wasn't sure what type to use so I used one of the double-ridge style. I think I used Permatex Ultra Black that time.

It leaked all over on the top of the timing cover, right below the area between the alternator and power steering. It isn't the galley plug.

I went in and did it again, double checking my procedure. It still leaked.

twice more I did it again, each time thoroughly cleaning both surfaces with brake cleaner, and making everything spic and span. It kept leaking.

Last night, I did it yet again, using a Subaru OEM O-ring (blue one), and Permatex Ultra Grey, which is a recommended equivalent to Fujibond. I let it set for 1 hour like the directions say, and properly torqued the bolts.

IT STILL LEAKS.

I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Am I not putting on enough sealant? I don't know, I laid down a nice bead and spread it evenly on the whole pump, being carefuly to avoid the o-ring area.

The front seal is new and isn't the problem. The cam seals are new. I checked and tighened the phillips screws on the pump itself. OEM o-ring. Proper gasket maker and method.

HELP! Is the pump warped or something??? Is there something else causing this?

[mike-tracy]

i'd just get a brand new or rebuilt 10mm pump. Had a problem like that in the past and the new one solved it. Previously I blew up an ej22t due to a seized pump I wasn't about to take any chances, lol.

[camroncamera]

Are all of the screws on the back of your oil pump fully tight? They like to come loose over time on their own. This oil pump came from my USDM EJ25D with 110K miles. (Enlarged to show texture): https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/02/IMG_5254-1.jpg

[anothernord]

Yep, I did mention that in the first post. I guess the only thing to do now is try with a different pump.

[r3v_v3ng3]

I think mine is leaking at the same place too after I rebuilt it. I'm going to pull my motor out soon and see where its leaking. Maybe the front crank seal on the pump

[Dead91silvia]

Have you done a main seal? Also, are you positive the PS pump is good? I have replaced a few of those on customer cars.

[anothernord]

Replaced the old pump with the 10mm pump of my old engine. We'll see if it works this time around.

[anothernord]

Alright, I do not thing the oil pump is the problem at this point. And I took out and resealed all the plugs on the front of the engine that I could get my hands on.

Here's my latest lead: The bolt holes for the power steering bracket. They're right next to the oil passages. Is it possible that someone was trying to fix busted threads, and drilled too deep, or tried to tighten to long of a bolt, puncturing the oil galley and letting oil out through the hole?

Here's the hole in question. You can see the whole area is caked with oil.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/05/Untitled3-1.jpg

[r3v_v3ng3]

Do you still have your oil pressure sensor T'd off for turbo? If it is T'd, pretty sure its 1/8 npt but the subaru is 1/8 bspt for the oil sensor. That's where your leak is coming from.

[anothernord]

Yep, but thats definitely not where it is coming from. That area is dry.

[02_Legacy]

why don't you run the engine without the PS installed and watch that hole. Or you could wrap the threads of the bolt with teflon tape and hopefully seal it off if that is the problem.