SubiPilot Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 (edited) UGH... well here I am...thought I was doing the smart thing by ordering a remanufactured motor and I have the new motor blues. Well over the past month or so I've been dutifully putting on the break-in miles, and topping off fluids as needed, anxiously awaiting the break-in so I could get Subi 3 back on the road. Today was the 1k mileage break-in service. Once up on the lift my mechanic immediately saw.... LEAKS!!! ARGHHH!!! BOTH headgaskets and valve covers are leaking oil. I called the company immediately from the shop and got voicemail. Now I'm left with Subi 3 at the shop, waiting all weekend to hear about how to proceed. I hope I can get this resolved soon, I need to have Subi 3 working ASAP. Mal Edited March 27, 2009 by SubiPilot changed wording Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subiemech85 Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 who was the supplier? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiPilot Posted March 28, 2009 Author Share Posted March 28, 2009 I'd rather not say just now since they are a member of the forum and I haven't had a chance to speak with them yet. I'd rather report a resolution than a problem. I did however upload some pics that I took when it was on the lift. Driver's side http://pilotcar.tv/1k_service/1K_01drivfront.jpg http://pilotcar.tv/1k_service/1K_04drivfrontcloseup.jpg http://pilotcar.tv/1k_service/1K_05drivfrontcloseup2.jpg Passenger side http://pilotcar.tv/1k_service/1K_10passfront.jpg http://pilotcar.tv/1k_service/1K_08passfrontcloseup.jpg http://pilotcar.tv/1k_service/1K_07passfrontcloseup2.jpg http://pilotcar.tv/1k_service/1K_06passsideview.jpg There was a small amount of oil pooled on top of the engine on the passenger side. It definitely seems to be leaking more on the passenger side. The driver's side headgasket looks like it might be leaking but just a trace on the passenger side. Both valve cover gaskets seem to be leaking. Is that what others see? Mal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subiemech85 Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 I don't know anything about EJ looks like oil is running down to the bottom need pics of top side clean all oil off with braklean and use UV dye to verify the leak trail take pictures of the glowing trail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uniberp Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Is it possible that the discoloration near the DSide headgasket (on 1K_04drivfrontcloseup.jpg) is melted gasket sealant? The VC gaskets can be easily addressed, and yes, it appears the PSide is leaking. I'd rather not say just now since they are a member of the forum and I haven't had a chance to speak with them yet. I'd rather report a resolution than a problem. I did however upload some pics that I took when it was on the lift. Driver's side http://pilotcar.tv/1k_service/1K_01drivfront.jpg http://pilotcar.tv/1k_service/1K_04drivfrontcloseup.jpg http://pilotcar.tv/1k_service/1K_05drivfrontcloseup2.jpg Passenger side http://pilotcar.tv/1k_service/1K_10passfront.jpg http://pilotcar.tv/1k_service/1K_08passfrontcloseup.jpg http://pilotcar.tv/1k_service/1K_07passfrontcloseup2.jpg http://pilotcar.tv/1k_service/1K_06passsideview.jpg There was a small amount of oil pooled on top of the engine on the passenger side. It definitely seems to be leaking more on the passenger side. The driver's side headgasket looks like it might be leaking but just a trace on the passenger side. Both valve cover gaskets seem to be leaking. Is that what others see? Mal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiPilot Posted March 28, 2009 Author Share Posted March 28, 2009 Thanks for the input. Still waiting to hear from the supplier...but I did have a couple of pics of the top... not very clear I'm afraid, but you can see there is oil on the top of the motor as well. http://pilotcar.tv/1k_service/1K_14passtop.jpg http://pilotcar.tv/1k_service/1K_15passtop2.jpg It was wet on the driver's side too but not puddled like the passenger side...sorry the pics didn't turn out from the driver's side. http://pilotcar.tv/1k_service/1K_18drivtop.jpg Hopefully I'll hear from the supplier first thing Monday and have a course of action for resolution. I've already lost 2 mos with this vehicle and need to get it on the road. Mal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uniberp Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 I don't want to diminish your case, but rather try to ease your worry. I don't think oil is generally passed out from a leaking headgasket, and valve cover bolts are not headbolts, so I don't think there was a basic failure to torque everything correctly. Thanks for the input. Still waiting to hear from the supplier...but I did have a couple of pics of the top... not very clear I'm afraid, but you can see there is oil on the top of the motor as well. http://pilotcar.tv/1k_service/1K_14passtop.jpg http://pilotcar.tv/1k_service/1K_15passtop2.jpg It was wet on the driver's side too but not puddled like the passenger side...sorry the pics didn't turn out from the driver's side. http://pilotcar.tv/1k_service/1K_18drivtop.jpg Hopefully I'll hear from the supplier first thing Monday and have a course of action for resolution. I've already lost 2 mos with this vehicle and need to get it on the road. Mal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Hmm......maybe you have to actually see it for it to look bad........but........ That doesn't look bad. I mean, really, have you had to add any oil? I know with a brand new engine you want it to be shiny and 100% leak free, but really, those very few drops don't seem like much. seems like the valve cover grommets are leaking. Oil on top of enigne is likely spill from filling, or possibly Power Steering leaks for passenger side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pontiac6KSTEAWD Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 I disagree. When you buy a rebuilt engine, it is, for all intensive purposes, supposed to be better than the original OE spec. To me, any oil leak, or consumption would be completely unacceptable. Its why he paid for a, what amounts to, a new engine. Now his next issue is getting someone to answer the phone at this company.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 I disagree. When you buy a rebuilt engine, it is, for all intensive purposes, supposed to be better than the original OE spec. To me, any oil leak, or consumption would be completely unacceptable. Its why he paid for a, what amounts to, a new engine. Now his next issue is getting someone to answer the phone at this company.. So you can expect all you want. But you have to live in the real world. I'll bet I could find that much oil leak on brand new Subaru's (and many other cars) sitting on the lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikec03 Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 And don't forget that the oil pressure trans is located on the top front p. side. It can be leaking. Mine was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pontiac6KSTEAWD Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 I would bet you couldn't find a oil leak on a new Subaru, If my 06 had a leak of any kind, it would be going to the dealer to get fixed post haste. No if ands or buts about it. And it wouldnt cost me a dime to get it fixed either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 (edited) I would bet you couldn't find a oil leak on a new Subaru, If my 06 had a leak of any kind, it would be going to the dealer to get fixed post haste. No if ands or buts about it. And it wouldnt cost me a dime to get it fixed either. Go look. There WILL be some oil under there. I would LOVE to see pictures of the machine that is impervious to natural forces of gravity, heat, and time. And BTW. The Dealer is not going to do free *repair* of minor seapage. It wouldn't be considered a warrantied *failure*. They absolutely would either not touch it or charge you for the work. Edited March 28, 2009 by Gloyale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pontiac6KSTEAWD Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Not my fault your standards are low, or that you cant get your oil leaks stopped.. My 06 Subaru has no leaks, none, not at all.. My 01 Pontiac Aztek has no leaks, none at all. My 90 Pontiac Grand Prix has no leaks, none at all My 89 Pontiac 6000 has no leaks, none at all. My 94 Subaru Legacy just started leaking tranny fluid, it is being fixed as I type, other than that, no leaks. What has it cost me to keep these cars from leaking oil, About 100 bucks so far, and thats for all of them. I did have 2 leaks on the Grand Prix, it cost me about 75 bucks to fix, and the 6000 had 1 oil leak, and it cost about 25 bucks to fix. And its leak was pumping the oil out as fast as I could put it in. Altho I havent gotten the bill yet for the Legacy, thats it. So if I understand you correctly, you just spent some 5000 bucks on laying down a new concrete driveway. And you would allow some huge oil spot to be on it? Oil thru its detergents can actually eat that nice new concrete up. No thanks. that car would be parked on the street until the leak was fixed. And your wrong, it is covered under the new car warenty. A oil leak is not a wear and tear item. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Not my fault your standards are low, or that you cant get your oil leaks stopped.. My 06 Subaru has no leaks, none, not at all.. My 01 Pontiac Aztek has no leaks, none at all. My 90 Pontiac Grand Prix has no leaks, none at all My 89 Pontiac 6000 has no leaks, none at all. My 94 Subaru Legacy just started leaking tranny fluid, it is being fixed as I type, other than that, no leaks. Bull S**t. Show me pictures from under each of these cars. So the mechanics must love working on your cars, NO DIRTY HANDS! amazing! Just because there isn't a massive spot on the ground, doesn't mean there are no leaks. I'm not advocating neglecting leaks or polutting the environment. It is just that there is a real world aspect of cars.......the oil starts trtying to come out from the moment you put it in. Spending $5000 on a driveway? Sorry, but I have better things to spend money on. Figures, it is ussually people with more money that biitch about little *problems* as if having money entitles the whole world to work for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 So if I understand you correctly, you just spent some 5000 bucks on laying down a new concrete driveway. And you would allow some huge oil spot to be on it? Oil thru its detergents can actually eat that nice new concrete up. No thanks. that car would be parked on the street until the leak was fixed. So, you are more concerned with *losing value* on a slabe of artificial rock you PARK on, than for the environment. You'd rather park a known leaky car in the street (which is illegal) and pollute streams and storms drains than dirty your expensive status symbol concrete. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pontiac6KSTEAWD Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Thanks for taking my words completely out of context, apparently you couldn't tell when I said "you just spent" that its a scenario. And yes my engines are almost dirt and grease free. I power wash the engine bay yearly. Helps keep the engines cooler, easier to work on, and I do all my own work, except for my Tribeca, cause its under warranty. Thanks for assuming I am made of money. I am not. I can hardly wait for this tribeca to go back to the Dealer. Its breaking me. And you just defined my point entirely. You say its illegal to park a leaky car on the street, so how do you drive to work, driving your leaky car? Park your car at work, since it is illegal? My cars don't pollute, cause they don't leak. Tough titty that you cant have a leak free car isnt is. Mine sure are leak free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pontiac6KSTEAWD Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Anyways, I'm done arguing with you. This thread is about his engine, and what he should do about it. My opinion remains, fight em tooth and nail. You paid for a essentially new engine, it should be leak free, and since it is rebuilt, it should have a warranty, and they should honor that warranty, and fix it. Simple as that, dont take a back seat to, "oh its natural to leak" cause it isnt, and only a fool would accept it as such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 And yes my engines are almost dirt and grease free. That is a backtrack from "100 % zero leaks" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 All my Subarus leak oil. Even when I replace seals etc. they start leaking soon after, and that's the way every Suby I've seen is. Natural rust proofing for the front end:lol:. I have to take that back, my Brat is freshly resealed and isn't leaking yet, but I also have no driven it much yet, so just give it time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pontiac6KSTEAWD Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 That is a backtrack from "100 % zero leaks" No it isnt, I wash off all the road dirt, silt, grime, dust. A clean engine is alot easier to pinpoint a leak.. And as I said, I am done argueing with you. You have your mindset, and I have mine. I am not going to change your, and you certainly are not going to talk me into lowering my standards. FIN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 (edited) No it isnt, I wash off all the road dirt, silt, grime, dust. A clean engine is alot easier to pinpoint a leak.. And as I said, I am done argueing with you. You have your mindset, and I have mine. I am not going to change your, and you certainly are not going to talk me into lowering my standards. FIN Quote from Pontiac6000= "And yes my engines are almost dirt and grease free. I power wash the engine bay yearly" Now you backtrack again and change your statement. Silt, dirt, grime...nah......you said GREASE the first time. Where is the grease coming from? I want to talk you into taking pictures of these supposedly leak free 20 year old cars that only cost you 100 bucks to fix. You are excagerating your point, it is obvious. There is no such thing as a 20 year old car (espescially a pontiac) that doesn't leak ANY fluids of ANY kind AT all. If they didn't leak, why would you need to pressure wash them? Edited March 28, 2009 by Gloyale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subaru_dude Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Guys... we should be focusing on this poor man's unfortunate luck. Anyway... yeah those leaks aren't terrible but considering they happened in the first 1000 miles I would speculate that they could easily get much worse within the next, say, 10,000 miles. If the manufacturer is a member of this board, I'm sure it will get resolved painlessly and quickly (I hope). Keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiPilot Posted March 28, 2009 Author Share Posted March 28, 2009 (edited) Wow... turned into quite the topic. I expect a remanufactured motor, or new motor, to be free of leaks at least for the warranty period. True, as Gloyale has pointed out, natural processes wear the engine over time and leaks are to be anticipated to some extent...but this is a brand new remanufactured motor. I've really only had one oil leak on my previous Subarus (all EJ22s)... which was a hole in the oil pan. The motors may all have leaked a bit but nothing major judging by how little oil I have to add between oil changes. I try to keep my Subis in top shape with maintenance until retirement (typically 300k miles) and leaks have not been an issue. IMO leaks of any kind at 1k miles are cause for concern. Mal Edited March 28, 2009 by SubiPilot typo correction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 True, as Gloyale has pointed out, natural processes wear the engine over time and leaks are to be anticipated to some extent...but this is a brand new remanufactured motor. I should clarify that I do think you are right for at least looking into the issue. Perhaps the grommets replaced are all that's needed. 1000 miles is low for BAD leaks. It's just those don't look too bad to me. I guess It is just a matter of excactly how bad the leaks are. real *leaks* should be fixed. *seapage* (which is what i have been really talking about) of a certain amount is more natural, and can be almost impossible to prevent. Subipilot, has it been actually dripping? leaving a mark? And has there been any noticable oil loss? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.