binxta350

Hi everyone,I've noticed a oil burning smell when sat in traffic,so i let the car cool down jacked it up and noticed oil on the right hand header(as you look at it underneath),took the heatgaurd off and found oil in it,could it be the exhaust? there is a seal on the exhaust where it comes out the bottom of the engine,it only leaks when under pressure.Any ideas??

ScoobyDuck

iTrader: (1)

not quite sure where u mean .. but its normally the rocker box gaskets that weep.
think my cylnder 1/3 side is going (turbo side), as there is oil dripping /lying on the bottom of the uppipe. gota check it out tmrw & try to fix the damn heatsheild rattle too !

Steve

dnb

Most likely a rocker cover gasket starting to leak. It's quite an easy fix - but there is quite a bit of pipework etc to remove first.

binxta350

dnb how easy i have no access to ramps or a lift any idea on prices??will i need to change the oil too

FERRARINUTTER

Gasket £12-18, about an hours labour £45, also worth checking both rocker covers & front cam seals.

May also be rear main (personally doubt this) Gasket £18, though need to remove gearbox to replace it about 4 hours labour

binxta350

nice one ferrarinutter

Matti

just had both rocker cover seals replaced on MY97 by Bell and Colvill in West Horsley, Surry for £350. Took a day to do, as the lads at work said it was a well fiddly job, possibly engine out!! Anyway, job done and well happy. Matti.

dnb

rocker cover gaskets are quite fiddly, but it's not an engine out job, and I did it on a drive way. I'm not a great mechaninc, but it only took a couple of hours. I'd suggest a ratchet ring spanner would be useful for the bolts with not much clearance, as I couldn't get a socket on them.

You'll not need to drain the oil, but it would be wise to have a drip tray under the car, and to have some top up oil.

By the time you've got all the bits from the dealer, you're looking at approx £30 per side for the rocker covers. (The bolt washers are £2 each, and you'll need some liqid sealant stuff for the 1/2 moon bits)

The crank seal is obviously a cambelt off job. It's possible to DIY this, but I'd suggest it's not your first job on a Scoob engine (These aren't usually a problem until 80k to 90k miles.)

binxta350

Got it one dnb it's had a cambelt water pump air flow meter rad thermostat gear box brakes.All safely running @320+.Thanks for the advice haveing it done in the next week or so

mart360

Hi Dnb..

fancy coming over and doing my front crankshaft seal!!!

thats what i think is leaking on mine..

mart

CAT2

iTrader: (3)

Had the burning oil smell in the cabin and even smoke pouring from bonnet vents when hot and in traffic! Weeping rocker covers both sides - particularly drivers side. Job done at Powerstation - took about 90 mins each side. £80 labour and they did not replace the gaskets, but used some extremely gooey liquid gasket to seal 'em. Apparently, this is an official Subaru fix if the gaskets aren't too bad. Perfectly OK now. Smoked like a b*stard for a few miles after though! Why do I have to remind them to refit the undertray every time I visit?

binxta350

cat2 any idea what the gooey liquid is called

CAT2

iTrader: (3)

Binxta350 - I don't know what it was called, but it was in a big toothpaste tube, it was grey and cost "about £30 a tube". It may have been genuine Subaru gasket compound, if such a thing exists.