Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

Identify this leak


Recommended Posts

Today I finally got around to doing the airbox mod that caleb planted in my head a while back (thanks!) and while I had the airbox off the car I finally found the source of a really obnoxious oil leak. I don't know this engine too well though, so can someone help me out and identify that fat red hose with the oil seeping from it?

 

Sorry I couldn't get a better angle on the pic, but the leak is at the end of that line, which is obstructed.

 

Thanks :)

 

Drew

post-2677-136027591028_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks like an EA82T? Maybe '85 or older?

 

That hose looks like somebody replaced the OEM PCV breather hose with heater hose. Heater hose is not particularly oil-resistant, particularly on the inside. It gets soft and swells (and leaks) easily when exposed to oil very long.

 

On the several I've looked at, the EA82 PCV hoses seem to get very hard and brittle over time, esp. the pieces that are directly attached to the tops of the valve covers, as the one you show, and the first time you touch them, they like to snap off at the top of the nipple, but even if they don't, they crack and leak 1" up.

 

I've bought a couple from Subaru. The L&R are about $30 each for NA; I priced a left side one for an '86 turbo and it was about $29 four months ago. I assume that the right side (the one you show) would be about the same. As Subaru uses a bastard ID PCV hose, making replacement via the aftermarket difficult, I'd suggest buying one from Subaru. As extra insurance, when replacing it, use a std worm-drive hose clamp or similar, rather than the light spring clamp that Subaru originally used.

 

Incidentally: if that's the only major oil leak, you've won the Subaru oil leak lottery. There are a lot worse oil leaks to have to fix on an EA82 (oil pump mtg., camcase o-rings, head gaskets, cam seals, crank seals, etc.). You are living the clean life ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the good info. I should've mentioned that this is the car in my sig, '86 GL-10 4x4 turbo wagon. The motor only has 60k or so on it. I'll have to check to see if the driver's side hose is simliar; may as well correct that too.

 

As far as I can tell this is the only big leak, at least there aren't any spots on the driveway to indicate otherwise. It's an annoyance because it'll seep out overnight and then cook off the valve cover on my way to work in the morning. It's smoky and smelly for a minute or two.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Originally posted by drewcifer85710

I should've mentioned that this is the car in my sig, '86 GL-10 4x4 turbo wagon. The motor only has 60k or so on it

Well, that explains why you only have this leak ;) OTOH, you have so many more to look forward to -- unless you sell one of use that rig :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...