My subaru has some serious oil issues and im getting concerned.
 

Okay guys, starting about a few weeks ago I have noticed my car smoking and a oil burning smell. And today I decided to crawl under it to see what is going and I have noticed that I am down maybe two litres of oil or more and theres oil all over the place. I have poked my head everywhere and can't see a direct leak. I see oil just all over the place. Its on the passenger side directly above the passenger wheel axle. As well when I crawl under the car theres a lot of oil there. What are common causes for subaru oil leaks on the passenger side? Its burning off on my exhaust as well. I've had it to a garage and they told me they can't find where its coming from.


Car is : 2006 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Stock other then a cold air intake and muffler. 170,000 km's on it.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. My subaru has never caused my any troubles at all up until now. Quite sad.

I have attached a few pics.

rocker box cover??

What makes you believe its a rocker box cover? Not trying to seem to be a smart ass just curious? What does the rocker box cover do? Does it contain pressurized oil? Also I've noticed everywhere I go now, I leave a trail of oil behind me, small drips everywhere I go. I also attached a video to show !

Thanks for the input :)

From your comment, "What does the rocker box cover do? Does it contain pressurized oil", we will have to assume you are not familar with these engines.

Given the location/area of the oil contamination, it's a pretty good guess that it's the rocker cover gasket. (item 5)

http://static.opposedforces.com/epc_...1494902002.png
http://opposedforces.com/parts/impre...llustration_1/

However, the only way to confirm, or otherwise, will be to clean the whole area up, so that the exact site of the leak can be isolated/located.

As above in #4 - pressure wash the area clean and then check for the source of the leak.
Seems quite wet around the AVCS solenoid in the last picture.

Mick

"What makes you believe its a rocker box cover?.." It is a very common area to leak on the impresa, which then drops on to the exhaust. Having said that, it is normally only a drip - yours seems 'excessive'....

Perfect thank you highly for the input and diagram. I will clean it down tomorrow and monitor it while it is stationary to see where the oil comes from initially. Is it a big job to change over the rocker box gasket? As well, No I am not familiar with the subaru engines myself. I've never needed to do any engine work up until this point. I've have a few jeep projects but they are 4.0 straight 6's. Most garages I call don't like to work on the Subaru engines , however I don't mind carrying out my own maintenance.

not for your model - but an 'insight'

http://www.subaru-impreza.org/forum/...er-gasket.html

(of course - may not be the rocker cover casket..)

Perfect Thank you highly. It makes sense in diagram based off the location the whole bottom of the engine is covered with oil as well. Do you have a diagrams of other major gaskets? The car had a new clutch installed a year or two ago. Maybe some bolts backed loose somewhere as well.

That rocker cover gasket doesn't look hard to inspect as its not buried too deep in the engine.

All parts diagrams and most part numbers are available from this link............


http://opposedforces.com/parts/impreza/us_g11/type_10/

Cam cover/rocker cover gasket and seals on your SOHC engine is an easy job to do.

Mick

Could also be leaking from the HG on an N/A 2.5.

I assume the only route is to just wash it and look around the head gasket for leaks? I am just waiting on the weather here. Been very cold lately.. too cold to run a hose or pressure washer to clean it up.