.5 Quart/fill-up oil leak, need some help

[Garrison]

Here's a quick history:
Bought the car and spent ~ $700 corking it up with new seals all around (cams, crank, valve covers, etc).
Swapped out flywheel and redid oil separater plate, and redid valve cover gaskets again.

Still finding oil smoking when sitting at a light, am losing .5 quarts of oil per 300 miles. so I've just been filling it up when grabbing fuel. I have oil on the spark plugs (which leads me to believe the valve covers STILL aren't sealed). I used the basic ebay versions of gaskets, and I'm told there are other versions that are superior.
There is oil in the timing belt cover (cam-gear gasket leaking?)

I'm mostly looking for some part numbers or help; maybe I overlooked something. I'm going to have to pull the engine again to do the crank sprocket (woodruff key) so I'd like to get in there and take care of it all at once.

Can someone point me in the right direction?

[harrymaneuvers]

I was chasing a mystery external oil leak when I rebuilt the EJ251... It ended up being one of the case half bolts (passenger side behind the head) that was somehow loose. An oil leak that rapid makes me think it is something other than a seal but maybe it is. FWIW that leak caused my car to smoke at a red light too. Did you replace the spark plug boots when you did the valve cover gaskets?

I would at least through a wrench and socket ot each of the bolts that is still accessible.

[1996Battlewagon]

What's the lower front of the engine like? It could very well be the sealant for the oil pump. I had this problem, resealed it and it went away... for about 2 years and then it started to leak again from somewhere else.

EJ25D problems.

[Garrison]

Thanks for the quick responses guys

The front of the engine hasn't been touched other than waterpump and thermostat, is the oil pump something I can get to fairly easily? Or do I just replace it and be done? Thanks

I will hit it with the rachet again. I remember reading your thread; I'll go back and check out the photos for location.

[1996Battlewagon]

The oil pump is behind the crank sprocket so it takes a bit to get to. There is no gasket - just sealant. They tend to leak on our cars but than again, everything tends to leak on the EJ25D.

If you're going to dig into it anyways, I would just keep doing what your doing until it's time to do that woodruff key. Mine's leaking from god-knows-where but I'm just waiting to grow a pair and cam it before I fix it.

[Garrison]

Haha, yeah I hear you there. Seems like a never ending cycle of oil leaks on these things.

I'm really wanting to drop in something new (ej251, or something similarly simple) but the changes (ecu, wiring harness, sensors, etc) lead me to believe it would just be easier to sell/part this thing and buy what I want. What're your thoughts?

Cheers for the oil pump help, when I pull the sprocket ( :shock: ) I'll get in there and do the dirty.

[1996Battlewagon]

Well, the way I see it, every auto enthusiast should look at their chariot behind the glasses of two waves of thinking: aberrant emotions and sound reason. Separate the two viewpoints entirely so that one does not cloud the other as they never will agree upon the same conclusion. When you look at your vehicle with the eyes of someone driven entirely by irrational dreams and fantasies, what happens to your person? When you look at it via your most educated knowing, what does your rational logic say?

When you have done this, take a step back as a complete Garrison and evaluate the two outcomes. Which one outweighs the other? Are your desires to build upon what is already there overcome by the reality of that endeavor or is it just the opposite? It is when you determine this that you can come the conclusion that either you and this "thing" are meant to die together or that this "thing" is exactly that - a thing.

I mean, you boosted it. Successfully. Using no form of aftermarket ECU. You did your job. If it still gives you joy, keep it and explore it even more. If you think your done with it, you might just very well be. This isn't your daily is it? Didn't you have a Cherokee?

[Garrison]

Did you replace the spark plug boots when you did the valve cover gaskets?
Sorry I missed this earlier Harry, yes I did replace the boots and the bolt gaskets too. Erry' thing up in there was swapped.


Well, the way I see it, every auto enthusiast should look at their chariot behind the glasses of two waves of thinking: aberrant emotions and sound reason. Separate the two viewpoints entirely so that one does not cloud the other as they never will agree upon the same conclusion. When you look at your vehicle with the eyes of someone driven entirely by irrational dreams and fantasies, what happens to your person? When you look at it via your most educated knowing, what does your rational logic say?

When you have done this, take a step back as a complete Garrison and evaluate the two outcomes. Which one outweighs the other? Are your desires to build upon what is already there overcome by the reality of that endeavor or is it just the opposite? It is when you determine this that you can come the conclusion that either you and this "thing" are meant to die together or that this "thing" is exactly that - a thing.

I mean, you boosted it. Successfully. Using no form of aftermarket ECU. You did your job. If it still gives you joy, keep it and explore it even more. If you think your done with it, you might just very well be. This isn't your daily is it? Didn't you have a Cherokee?

The Cherokee is more of a towing/offroad vehicle - the soob is the daily. I hear what you're saying, rationally speaking I would get something like a honda or a vw, but I do enjoy working on subaru's (most of the time, haha). I would absolutely lose my butt on it if I sold it, but I could poach the useful parts and mayhaps save them for a future ride.
You're right, I do need to evaluate my situation more before making any real decisions.
So confusing! :lol:

My work-buddy showed me a 97 (I think) wrx with bad HG's sitting on a trailer about 40 minutes away so you guys might be seeing a project in the near future. Will definitely keep you posted.