I have a MY01 wrx. The front crank shaft seal has developed a oil leak.

Should I have it replaced immediately or can it wait. Oil sweat rather than a leak. Do I need to replace the seal at all.

Do I need to replace the cam belt as well. I do not know if oil has leaked on it.

 

well there is a risk of the oil getting on the belt and it slipping but unlikely.
Mine used to drip onto the headers and smoke before I noticed so if it is only sweating then there is probably no immediate rush. Your risk though.

You should really fit a new cambelt when you changed it especially as they are £40something from www.camskill.com. You don;t then have to do it for another 45k etc..

How many miles has the car done?

Usual for it to need replacing around 100k I believe and ideal on the classic to do it with the second cambelt change at 90k but with the new 60k intervales it kind of screws that up.

 

Agree with Jolly green - cambelts can be bought so cheaply now you might as well do it. My 98 wagon with 105k has developed a leak and it is getting worse so I'd be inclined to do it now rather than have an oily drive and leave traps for 2 wheelers whenever you stop at lights!

 

Thought i would just throw this in. I had what i thought was front crank seal leaking. Went to do it this morning, got cam covers off and it wasn,t that leaking, phew. Before you guys start stripping it down, get under the car with a Torch and look up the front of the engine by the front of the sump where it bolts onto the block and you will see 2 hexagonal bolts/plugs (sort that takes very large allen key). Check them for tightness. Turned out mine was leaking from there. Took them off and put some new copper washers on each, tightened them up and hey presto sorted. 20 min job tops. Check your cambelt thou to make sure its not contaminated. I was lucky as it hadn,t got to belt.

SG

 

hi i got the same problem i think, got a classic just turned 100k, now got oil coming from the front of the engine, dripping onto the exhaust manifold

had a look at those hex allen key things and don`t reckon it`s coming from there because oil is above that, in fact oil` s everywhere
could it be crankseal?? how do i check? if it is could i do it myself or
would it be wiser to put into garage to sort?

 

ive had the same problem for ages to cam shaft seal leaking for months had it replaced and there is still oil leaking somewhere its leaking onto the manifold.


they said keep an eye on the oil levels and that it might be the crank seal this time so im waiting to see if the oil level drops mines on 112k is this a common problem on imprezas cause this happend to me ages ago at about 90k

 

looks like i got to get it done as oil level is halfway and only had oil change not long ago

 

Stann.

Have u ever done a cambelt on a scooby? If so you will be able to do it yourself. Otherwise stick it in a garage. Where u based ?

SG

 

hi, no never done a cambelt full stop!! i live in wiltshire so must be some reputable garage round here to do the job (loks like i got loads of phoning to do monday!)
any ideas on the cost??

 

i lived in larkhill so simpsons subaru was my local, dont go there i had hideous times there i went back 3 times with my cam shaft seal and still it leaked i gave up in the end think there are some specialists around though just my 2ps

 

Pity you dont live up near me stann. Seal costs £6 then u have labour costs etc. Suggest you get it up on sum ramps or better still 4 post lift and spray undercar with some degreasing solvent. Clean all the oil off completly. Then keep an eye on it, see if you can clock where your leak is exactly. .Mine had oil all under car, like i said turned out to be these Hexagonal bolts.If cleaned off it will give you a better idea where to look.. Looking at the bolts i mentioned , mine had bubbles escaping from them, hence leak. It can only leak in the folowing places

1,Crank Seal.

2,Where oil pump bolts onto Front of Engine(sometimes the silicon leaks)

3,Sump leak (But doughtfull)

4,These Damn Bolts.

Maybe worth a look by taking the bit of Cambelt cover by the battery. 3 x 10mm Bolts to see if its got on ya belt. If it has get it done ASAP

 

cheers s-g , will be investigating tommorow!!

 

My MY01 has done 45 000 miles. The scheduled change on my car is at 60 000 miles. So if I change it now I have to change me belt change interval.

Thanks fo the advice. I will check the bolts.

 

I noticed I have a slight leak exactly where you mentioned. Where did you get these copper washers (dealer?). Are you saying that your bolts were loose?

Thanks
Mark.

 

You got PM Marky