bertmann73 Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I changed the oil pump seal on the 97 impreza sport last year because it had a front seal leak. it started leaking again because i got the pump on e-bay. i want to change the seal if possible but need some input before i start pulling belts off. i threw away the old pump and want to know if it just has a normal seal or if the seal is part of the pump. i really dont want to change the pump again. any help appreciated. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmdew Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 It's an oring type seal that goes between the pump and the block. Make sure you torque and locktite the backing plate screws. Gray RTV is all you need to seal it to the block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccrinc Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 It's also called the front main seal if you looking for it online or from a parts house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicholi2789 Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Are you talking about the seal that's embedded in the front of the pump? Cause that is the crank seal. Or front mail seal. If you just search crank seal you'll find it. There is also the seal between the oil pump and the block. You can buy pre-made seals for that or you can just use what most people use and get some anaerobic gasket maker for sealing the pump to the block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertmann73 Posted March 30, 2015 Author Share Posted March 30, 2015 thanks guys..i youtubed it and just finished changing it...oil pump seal is what auto parts stores call it....i always called them front seal too but i guess because its on the pump. good thing i didnt have to take the pump back off. the oil seal was loose in the seat...slid right out with a couple of taps to one side. i put a bit of grey silicone when i put the new one in just in case because it went in snug but seemed way to easy as to what im used to with any seal. you guys rock!! im giving this car to my mother because my daughter just got her 04 wrx..she donated this wagon cuz grammas been walkin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccrinc Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 You've already done the job, so I'm not suggesting you pull it back apart, BUT... NEVER use any kind of sealant around oil seals, or anywhere it can get into the oil or cooling systems. If just a teeny, tiny piece breaks off and gets moving in the passages, it can cause all kinds of starvation problems by blocking those passages. Also, there are several seals and o-rings which should always be Subaru Genuine only: aftermarket just don't fit right. The front seal is one of them, along with cam seals, cam o-rings, rear main seal, etc. Just an FYI... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocei77 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Doesn't the fsm say to put sealant on the pump, which includes around the oil seal before install? O. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicholi2789 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Doesn't the fsm say to put sealant on the pump, which includes around the oil seal before install? O. It's say to put oil on the seal, not sealant. But either way, I'm sure he'll be fine. And as for using aftermarket seals. I bought a timing kit off eBay including all the seals and did it about 10k miles ago. Haven't had a single problem or drop of oil. Those seals fit just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocei77 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I know never to put sealant on the seal. But I was responding to CCRINC statement as to never put sealant around seals. I am sure he meant on the seal itself, but the unititiated may misread that statement. Will never do in this lifetime as many as they do, but I have done enough to know what not to do. O. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertmann73 Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 I do understand your concern and agree never to over-apply silicone. I always like to spread a fine film around the outer perimeter of all seals just to help them to slide in and also to keep them from sliding back out and assuring a good seal.....any exess wil be forced out the front of the seal as it is pushed into the housing and then wiped off but none gets behind it..anyway..i pinched the damned seal yesterday and had to restart all over again today..i also found a better seal at Meyers imports that fit in like a glove..for a couple of bucks less to boot. all good. mom is gonna get alot more years out of this carhttps://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1393285897658539&set=a.1384855311834931.1073741829.100009314259795&type=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccrinc Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) I know never to put sealant on the seal. But I was responding to CCRINC statement as to never put sealant around seals. I am sure he meant on the seal itself, but the unititiated may misread that statement. Will never do in this lifetime as many as they do, but I have done enough to know what not to do. O. Ocei77... He is a "she". I used to hang out here a lot, then got away from it for awhile. I guess I need to start signing my posts again since there are a lot of new members who don't know me. Emily ps: An absolutely fool proof, non-threatening substance to use to make oil seals and o-rings go in smoothly and stay in place is plain ol' petroleum jelly. Often known as "mechanic's glue". Edited March 31, 2015 by ccrinc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertmann73 Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 whatever works for us and makes us happy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertmann73 Posted April 7, 2015 Author Share Posted April 7, 2015 what an adventure. third time and removed oil pump this time and found a nick on the crankshaft courtesy of the knucklehead who worked on it before me. it leaked when i got it for my kid and i just replaced the oil pump seeing as it was right in front of me...why not? i replaced the cam seals and called it a day. i noticed shortly after it was still leaking. i was gonna get around to it eventually but now that i was giving the car to my mother in Arizona, i couldn't leave it that way. no wonder it would not seal. i thought i had pinched it or folded it when i put it in but after 3 tries???............c'mon now, i know i'm better than that. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1397440850576377&set=a.1384763815177414.1073741827.100009314259795&type=1&theater . had to polish it the best i could with some 800 grit and seems to be holding now...il know when i drive it to school tomorrow across the city. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertmann73 Posted April 8, 2015 Author Share Posted April 8, 2015 And now the driver side cam cap...how does that come off? is it threaded or does it pop out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccrinc Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 And now the driver side cam cap...how does that come off? is it threaded or does it pop out? Well...neither, actually. But, you do have to sort of "rotate" it off after you pull the bolts. Rotate counter clockwise. There's a seal on the front and an o-ring on the back of it. When you replace the o-ring, don't stretch it: sort of easily roll it back on the shaft and make sure it isn't rolled or twisted when it seats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertmann73 Posted April 9, 2015 Author Share Posted April 9, 2015 Ok thanks. Just wanted to be absolutely sure before I get my ham-hands in that tiny area. I a m glad you answered this question ☺️. It does not have the retaining bracket as the passenger side does and I see bolt holes. Is there supposed to be one on both sides? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccrinc Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 (edited) Ok thanks. Just wanted to be absolutely sure before I get my ham-hands in that tiny area. I a m glad you answered this question ☺️. It does not have the retaining bracket as the passenger side does and I see bolt holes. Is there supposed to be one on both sides? No. Only the left head has that. Phew...had to think about that one for a minute! It's been years since I built those heads. Edited April 9, 2015 by ccrinc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertmann73 Posted April 9, 2015 Author Share Posted April 9, 2015 great. that seal is now the least of my worries as i now have a low idle problem that has occurred after cleaning the engine and replacing the front seal and valve cover gaskets. it seems like a throttle position sensor but i already replaced that when i bought the car. i checked all the vaccum hoses, clreaned the air intake sensor and still cant figure it out. went to the store to test drive and check for leaks and it had a minute where it wanted to stall at the red light. i thought maybe something got wet. went to school (30 miles) and when i got off the freeway it started to act strange. i would have to floor it to take off and the power would surge. it will not accelerate normally..only if i depress the accelerator at least halfway. I posted it but awaiting a response. been looking at the knock sensor posts and wondering if that may be the problem. i checked it and its not positioned at a 45 degree angle as it states in the post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertmann73 Posted April 10, 2015 Author Share Posted April 10, 2015 problem was a cracked hose under mass air flow. thanks for all the replies and support. i will tell my mother that the team at usmb helped out in getting this sweet ride to her in such great condition. just gonna fix the rear cam cap seal tomorrow and she will be on her way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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