Burning Oil Smell and the Dealership

[amphibo]

Have two Legacys, a 2000 wagon and 2001 sedan, with 83 and 75k on the two.

 

The other week the wagon began to emit white smoke from the front left wheel well. Checking all the fluid levels, everything seemed fine. Ran the car and checked the filter and oil plug... no leaks.

 

Peering down through the engine noticed oil/grease on the cat conv. Took it to the dealer who claimed it was the filter/plug, changed the oil and filter, steam cleaned the engine and proclaimed it fixed.

 

Since then the sedan has begun to have that familiar 'burnt oil' smell. This time I crawled under the car, found the leak and took some digi pix to show the dealer (unfortunantly, there's not an independent shop where I live).

 

Previous posts have indicated a number of areas that leak. Posted below is a pix from under the engine. Any guesses?

 

Amphibo

[rweddy]

Do not get me started on stealerships!!

 

Anyway looks like an oil pump or cam seal issue to me.

[Adnan]

Hi,

 

Yes, the usual suspects - crank oil seal (most likely), oil pump seal (second-most likely) and cam seals.

 

In any case, the timing covers have to come off to deal with any of the three and to diagnose the exact cause. If you get in there, you may opt to fix it all.

 

Regards,

Adnan

[nate99legacy2.2]

As you know it could be several areas Main Crank seal (thats where mine leaks), Cam seals, or from loose oil pump screws or valve cover.

 

have you had your tbelt changed already? (servuce interval 60K miles on the 2.2L, >100K miles or there abouts for the 2.5L{i dont have 2.5 so i dont know fur sure the mi SORRY}) If yes then youve got a ways to go untill you have someone get back inside that area to find out what is going on. If you havent changed your Timing belts then your in luck, I would suggest having the dealer do it and at the same time find and fix the leak. This will save money because they already have the thing apart.

 

Im gonna guess two possible places. the Left cam shaft seal (a bit of oil on t belt cover on the upper Right side of the picture above the hoses. You can check to see by removing the 3 bolts and pulling off the cover and looking behind the cam pulley for oil or look for oil on the inside of the cover when its removed) OR it could be coming from around the water pump? it appears that the concentration of oil is around the water pump but i have not seen any posts about oil leaks there. Nice pic

[MorganM]

Yep... smells like a Subaru

 

That's a pretty wussy leak. I wouldnt sweat it. How much are you loosing between oil changes? Wouldnt worry about it untill you have a more seriouse reason to tear into the whole front half of your engine. Just have to remember now you need to check your oil. I check my Subaru oil EVERY time I fill up on gas. It's a good habbit as you can also spot other problems much more quickly.

[coloradosubarules]

I decided it was time to investigate further when I noticed the back window wiper wouldn't wipe the rain off because it was covered in oil. It Just smeared it around. I did some research and found out it was the oil seal leaking. I took the timing cover off , degreased and pressure cleaned the front and then let it idle in my driveway untill the oil showed up.

 

 

Hope this helps. If you need more info on pulling it all apart then check out my postings. I just did the oilseal and I couldn't have done it without everyone on here.