Can someone please tell me which seals I need and can i just take off the rocker cover without removing the cam covers.
thanks

 

Miller
I had the same prob about 4 months ago. Oil leaks onto the exhaust manifold and creates an orrible smell.
Spoke to a Subaru mechanic who recommended to just reseal the gasket with sealent and replace any bolt gaskets if necessary.
So i doubt you need a new rocker cover gasket, just some sealant although you may need some bolt gaskets if they are leaking (only a pound each, you can have my spare ones if your local).
I did the job one afternoon and took my time with no problems encountered, quite easy really once you have removed the air filter. A good long 10mm spanner also helps.

 

Had the same problem , replaced the gasket , bolts and the bolt washers (which are rubber . All ok after this , cost about £20-25 in total doing it myself .

Just unscrew the bolts and remove the rocker cover , relace the gasket and bolt washers and replace the cover making sure not to over tighten the bolts . Simple as that .

 

You wont need a new gasket just remove the cover and then refit making sure you dry the head face of oil and then refit the cover using a gasket sealant on the rubber seal. It would be beneficial to change the seal washers on the bolts as well as these are prone to leaking. They don't need to be to tight only about 5 lb ft, because they do snap if you do them to tight.

 

Sound advice, thanks guys.
All fixed for £3

 

Guys,

How did you diagnose this? Do you need to get under the car to see it?

My exhaust and steering rack have a nice oil film on them, I'm hoping its the rocker gasket rather than a leeking steering rack.

cheers,
Dave

 

I did mine yesterday - easy enough but not the easiest place to work if you have big hands - my car is a Legacy GTB and I thought it might have more room but I was mistaken. The air con lines get in the way!!

I just reused the gaskets and used gasket sealant - it was so bad that if it had been standing for more than a day the cabin would fill with smoke on starting the engine.

Good time to change the spark plugs whilst you've got the airbox, battery and washer bottle out

Paul

 

dela - You may be getting a slight weep from the sump cover joint.
Mine has this and leads to a oil coating on the rack, under engine cross member and exhaust heatshield, as per your symptoms

And you can't get at the 'rear' sump screws/bolts to tighten them

It's not leaking enough to be a worry, just need to clean off the oil spray every few months (or could even just ignore it)

Only way to tell is to get underneath and look
(and remove undertrays if you car has them

 

Dave,
You'll know if you have a problem because everytime you stop at traffic lights when the engine's hot , you'll smell the oil burning off the exhaust. However , as suggested , the best way is to examine the heat shields and cross-member.

Regards,
John

 

do you need to remove the spark plug covers and drain the oil when doing this job , or is it a case of undoing the rocker cover nuts and it comes straight off ?

 

You need to remove the coil packs (upto 96) or plug leads(97 onwards) . When you remove the bottom bolts the oil that is in the cover will drain out , just put some old rags on the top of the heat shields .

 

cheers big bear i will attempt it myself

 

I haven't run my car in over two weeks. Do you think its normal for it to start smoking badly(comming through the bonnet). I'm having a dilema here because I've got an exam tommorrow and I don't know whether to take the car or not.

 

Is it smoke or steam ? more than likely steam , a good drive will clear it all out

 

It does smell a bit off, like burnt oil. Cheers, I might just be able to drive it to my exams tommorrow.

 

how much do subaru charge to replace the rocker gasket, or is it so easy i should be doing it myself,if so any step by step instructions/ pictures?, as when i come to a stop the smell of castrol rs greets me

 

Katana, if I leave mine for a week or so without driving it does smoke out of the bonnet but goes away after it's burnt off. Been meaning to replace the gaskets for about 6 months but have yet to get around to it!!

 

Ahh. So it is normal right then. I was hoping it to be so. Cheers NutterKam.

 

to answer my own question above, subaru want £25 for parts plus an hours labour

 

Is that it? 25 quid? Whats the catch? Oh and my car is still smoking after a drive, but not as much anymore. I do notice the oil patch though.