Got a re-built STI4 block put in my scooby and after approx 1000 miles it started churning out smoke from under the bonnet. Took it back to the garage to gey checked & the oil seal had "popped" out. It leaked so much oil that the sump was dripping

After replacing the seal & only 500 or so miles later the same happened again!!

Anyone got any ideas as to why this would keep happening? I wouldn't have thought it to be the block as this was supplied by API and I know they're very thorough with the engines they provide.

MAFFA

 

i would slightly dress the block to prevent it from popping out again, or maybe try sum kind of sealent or glue?

 

Check that all your breather hoses are clear. Maybe a restriction in one of them that's causing excess pressure, so seal popping. I wouldn't just glue the seal back in... it's poping for a reason, find the cause or you may move the problem elsewhere.

Tony.

 

Maffa,


Unusual this, There is a chance that you have a blocked or partially blocked breather hose and that is causing crankcase compression and thus something has to give.

This, I seem to remember, is Gerry Houghtons old Vers 4 STi short motor that we re-furbed for you?? One of the reasons we had his car here first was for oil leaks that no-one else could cure. The cure was a 2.5 conversion, that we did that he is VERY happy with. Just there seems to be a history on that block of leakage.

Alternatively, If your garage has used an aftermarket front seal it is possible that the fault is with the seal. We have found in the past that only original Subaru seals are the right size to fit the housings and that the pence that you save buying cheapo factor type seals is negated by the quality of the leaky seal that has to be changed at extra cost soon after.

Fit a genuine seal with a small amount of a hard setting compound to hold it in place in case there is a problem with the diameter of the housing.

Just be thankful it is the easy-to-change front seal and not the rear seal !!

Good Luck David APi Engines / APi Impreza

 

Cheers guys i'll pass the messages on to the mechanic. Hope he's fitting a genuine Subaru oil seal??? I didn't think to ask. I'll also be checking all the breather hoses as i'll be fitting a catch tank v.soon

Can't really afford for this to happen again as we'll be moving 300 miles away from my mechanic so no more freebies if it goes again

MAFFA

 

But closer to David at API ........

Bryan

 

Not really Lincoln is kinda going the same distance in the other direction

 

You can never be too far from API.

 

Now that's a very fair point. Well said David

 

Got the car back....again LOL. Got some sealant in there this time so fingers crossed

MAFFA

 

Had this same prob m8
If you look at where the seal fits in the edges of the recess are rounded so a bit of sealant like loctite does the trick,worth checking your breathers though and have a peek in your airbox

 

Breathers have been checked and are fine. It'll all be coming out soon anyway to fit an oil catch tank & breather. It'll all be checked & cleaned again then

MAFFA