scoobydude87

iv got a 2004 impreza STI UK with 26k on the clock, last week discovered a rocker cover gasket leak on drivers side causing a burning smell sometimes due to subaru idiots over filling oil by about a litre! so whilst i had my head under the bonnet thought id check the passenger side. there i found abit of oil on the top of the engine under the red inlet pipes coming from the head gasket car runs fine so all it is is oil weeping from the top/rear of the gasket.
iv heard might need to take the engine out to replace the head gasket is this true?? i know the actual gasket is only around £40-50 quid but anyone know got an idea of how much garages charge to replace them? gonna take her down roger clarkes at the weekend for them to have a look but id appreciate any help or info anyones got
thanks

Tucker82

iTrader: (7)

Is it Drivers side where the oil is sitting on top of the block? Could it be power steering fluid?

If it is HG you'll prob be looking at at least 1k with standard parts replaced, but cannot see it on a car with 26k TBH.

Does the car overheat (on boost) or coolant flow from the overflow behind the passenger side headlight?

Tucker

scoobydude87

definately passenger side can see it follow down the gasket where the back of the bulkhead is. car runs sweet as a nut, temp is always at normal, no air or water in the oil and same with the coolant. 1 grand!!! hows it that dear for a gasket??

Tucker82

iTrader: (7)

1k is about right I think pal< but then on a car with 26k you probably wouldn't be looking at too many parts apart from gaskets etc. You'd be suprised as to how much everything adds up to. I did my HG last year and spent well over 500 just on parts etc. If your HG has gone that bad and leaking oil between the head and the block, I would imagine that would cause some running issues.

Where are you? I would get it to a specialist to see whats going on!

merlin24

iTrader: (1)

I would be inclined to clean/wash the oil off the top of the block and take the car for a good run and then check again.
Un-usual for the head gasket to leak oil out of the top of the engine - even near the oil gallery from the block to the head.

Mick

Pavlo

You should probably check it out more. The oilway on the passenger side to the head is at the front of the engine, not the rear. Without being 100% sure I would guess you're head gaskets are fine, and they certainly wouldn't be affected by a slightly overfull oil level.

It sounds more like there is some oil coming from the front of the engine, trickling back when the oil gets hot and thins out.

scoobydude87

thanks for all your help and advice, had a right good look today and took off the intercooler after i realised how much it costs!! it looks like it might not be the head gasket thank god! looks like it may be coming from a switch directly above cylinder 4 next to the inlet pipe or somewhere within about an inch or two of that vicinity, definetly on the top and on the passenger side though, any ideas anyone?? still going to take it down roger clarke at the weekend to have a better idea