maureen

This is very encouraging. The mileage on my '98 Outback is almost 150,000. I'm hoping now that I can get at least another 150K miles out of it before I have to trade it in. Or maybe run it out to 800K if like the guy in Europe! It still runs great, except for what seem to me to be frequent seal failures. My husband wants me to trade it in now, but if it's working, why mess with it? I love the way it handles. in 1997 I bought a Toyota 4-Runner and sold it to buy the Subaru. I never felt safe in the 4-runner on curves and it bounced all over the place like a Dodge truck. Maureen

The local Subaru put a 'new' type of smaller oil filter in my 1998 Legacy Outback on Dec 5th. I noticed an oil leak a few weeks later. I took the Outback in to the dealership and they diagnosed it as a leaking cam seal. Took it to an independent mechanic who put it on the rack and showed me that the oil filter was leaking. We couldn't see any leaks on the cam seals. His parts supplier (another Subaru dealer) told him that part had been recalled due to, guess what, leaks! Took it back to the original dealer again, and they informed me that this model of oil filter had been recalled. Oil filter part # 15208AA09A Oil Filter 65MM. Just a warning to anyone using this filter that it is likely to leak. My independent has replaced it with the original Subaru oil filter which is now recommended. Anyone know where I can get more information about this recall?

Thanks so much for the information. It will be very helpful when I go back to the mechanic. Your story sounds very familiar. My seal, just the left one, seems to be leaking about every 6 to 12 months, or 12 to 12K miles. Not good!

Thank you so much for your feedback. I will definitely do more research before I even think about dropping $600 on thie problem.

I have a '98 Outback Legacy. 3/2003 replaced cam cover gaskets at 90K 3/2004 Left cam seal leaking at 113K miles, crankshaft oil seal R&R and Cam Seals R&R completed 12/04 at 129K miles Dealer doing oil change noted oil leaking again from left cam seal. Took car to mechanic who did work in 3/2004; he couldn't find a leak. 6/2005 at 137K miles Dealer again noted L cam seal leaking. Independent mechanic again replaced the cam seal. under warranty. Now it's 03/06 and again the left cam seal is leaking. I took it to a dealer who says it will cost close to $600 to do the work. I'm leary about taking it back to the independent mechanic again plus it's an hour drive to his shop, but my friend who used to work for a Subaru dealership said I should make him do good on the warranty. (and it would save me a lot of money). I'm tired of dealing with this problem. Wondering if it falls into the same category as the writer who mentioned chronic crankshaft problems. I'm wondering if it's faulty after market parts or something intrinsic with that model Subaru with the boxer engine or the mechanic? Is anyone aware of chronic problems with this vintage Subaru and the cam seals, or in particular the after market parts? Seems like the trouble started back when I had cam cover gaskets with seals replaced in 2003