98 subaru legacy outback leaking oil around timing belt cover

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

McKizzle - 09 Jun 2006 05:41 GMT

I have a 98 subaru outback wagon (2.5L) that is leaking oil around the
timing belt cover. I bought the car a week ago and got it home and
found out that the dealership that changed the oil put a 1.5 quarts too
much oil in the engine. I changed the oil, and put the correct amount
in, however I believe it was over capacity long enough to have
stretched some gaskets and has caused this leak. Is this the case, and
if so, how difficult will it be to make this repair on my own? (what
will the repair entail?) also, is their any other damages that have
probably been caused to this engine that I should look into.

Reply to this Message

Kevin - 09 Jun 2006 11:06 GMT

> I have a 98 subaru outback wagon (2.5L) that is leaking oil around the
> timing belt cover. I bought the car a week ago and got it home and
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> will the repair entail?) also, is their any other damages that have
> probably been caused to this engine that I should look into.

The oil leak is probably not caused by the overfill. The damage done to an
engine by overfilling it with oil is caused when the crank shaft whips the
oil into a foamy broth kinda like making whipped cream with an egg beater.
That aerated foamy oil does not lubricate the bearings and usually causes
pretty immediate damage that winds up needing the crank shaft and crank
bearings replaced. If there are no knocking noises coming from the crank
then you will probably be ok. The oil leak is likely to be the crank shaft
front seal or the cam seal. Neither one will quit leaking on its own. They
will most likely need replacing. Could also just be the valve cover gasket
leaking.

Signature

Kevin Mouton
Automotive Technology Instructor
"If women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy"
Red Green

Reply to this Message

Don - 09 Jun 2006 15:24 GMT

>I have a 98 subaru outback wagon (2.5L) that is leaking oil around the
>timing belt cover. I bought the car a week ago and got it home and
>found out that the dealership that changed the oil put a 1.5 quarts too
>much oil in the engine.

That's not good, but neither is it any big deal.

> I changed the oil, and put the correct amount
>in, however I believe it was over capacity long enough to have
>stretched some gaskets

No, the crankcase is ventilated.

> and has caused this leak.

It did not.

> Is this the case, and
>if so, how difficult will it be to make this repair on my own? (what
>will the repair entail?)

Timing belt job with camshaft and crankshaft seals. Pretty much all
of these engines leak at the cam and crank seals well before 100k
miles.

Don
www.donsautomotive.com

> also, is their any other damages that have
>probably been caused to this engine

No.

>that I should look into.

Reply to this Message

McKizzle - 09 Jun 2006 15:46 GMT

> Timing belt job with camshaft and crankshaft seals. Pretty much all
> of these engines leak at the cam and crank seals well before 100k
> miles.

thanks guys, I really appreciate your advice! however, could you tell
me how difficult it would be to replace these seals and how much they
would cost, or about how much it would cost to get it done
professionally. I'm trying to decide whether i want to do this my self
or pay someone else. (a "professional dealership" already messed it up
once, and I trust my own work) thanks again

Reply to this Message

Stephen H - 10 Jun 2006 01:27 GMT

Generally, leaking from the t-belt is the cam and crank seals. If you've
done timing belts and seals before, it's easy

Signature

Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Automobile Advanced Engine Performance
ASE Undercar Specialist

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm
http://www.troublecodes.net/technical/
http://www.familycar.com/Alignment.htm

>I have a 98 subaru outback wagon (2.5L) that is leaking oil around the
> timing belt cover. I bought the car a week ago and got it home and
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> will the repair entail?) also, is their any other damages that have
> probably been caused to this engine that I should look into.

Reply to this Message