PeakMaster Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 I have an oil drip from the front of the engine on my '98 OBW with 64K on it. I bought it new and have routinely changed the oil every 3-4K. I've not had any other issues with this car. My research on this board and others indicates that this oil leak is either the oil pump 'O' ring , loose backing plate for the oil pump, or cam seal or valve cover gaskets. I tend to think it is the oil pump 'O' ring. My question: What else should I replace while my mechanic is doing the oil pump O ring? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99obw Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 I would say main seal, oil pump o-ring, re-loctite oil pump back cover screws, cam seals, timing belt, valve cover gaskets, valve cover bolt gaskets, spark plug hole gaskets, and PCV valve. Make sure he checks the timing belt idlers and tensioner. Water pump and thermostat maybe depending on how much you want to spend. You want to change the water pump before it fails, because if it seizes your engine will be toast. If you do all of that work now you won't need to be in there for another 105k miles, which would put you at 169k. I changed my water pump at 120k when I did the head gaskets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theotherskip Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 i agree with 99obw's advice. at 70k on my 97, the water pump seemed to be in good condition, but i replaced it anyway (i had ordered it ahead), especially knowing that i wasn't planning to be in that area for another 100k miles. i did find a bad idler pulley, so it is real important to have them checked... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeakMaster Posted November 25, 2003 Author Share Posted November 25, 2003 Thanks theotherskip and 99obw. 99obw, so how much am I looking at for that laundry list in terms of $$? Assuming 10% less then avg. dealer service cost.s? thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99obw Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 I would guess in the $500-$700 range including labor, but I really don't know, as I do my own work. If I have a chance I can add up the parts cost and estimate the labor, but I have to run and put the kids to bed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeakMaster Posted November 25, 2003 Author Share Posted November 25, 2003 If you have a chance 99obw. I am taking it in early AM tomorrow and need to make some decisions based on priority. Which would you do in order of priority and assuming I keep the car through 100,000? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99obw Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 Based on records of parts I have obtained at the local dealer and prices from Auburn Subaru (better prices) I estimate roughly $300 for parts, more or less depending on where you get them. I will guess that labor will be about an equal amount more, or $600 +-$100 ($500-$700)total. That includes the water pump and thermostat, and doesn't include any idlers or the tensioner. There are some gaskets that go on the timing belt covers that you may want to replace based on condition that I haven't included here. The DOHC Phase I really is a fascinating engine, are you sure you don't want to do it yourself. Just kidding... BTW: Keeping the PCV valve changed may prevent oil leaks. It pulls a gentle vacuum on the oil side of things and "holds it in" so to speak. When they go bad the pressure that builds can force oil out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99obw Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 Just saw your most recent post. First of all you need to get the oil leak fixed. I don't know the minimum to do that in your case but the estimate I gave should serve as a worst case. The timing belt absolutely has to be changed due to oil exposure. If your timing belt breaks so will your wallet. Everything needs to be cleaned of oil. Make sure the PCV valve gets changed. That should get you to 100k. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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