nwsunni

Morning folks: If you look at the attached pictures, I'm hoping you'll see the rather large chink/crack in the pipe...... I'm not a mechanic but have had much success with sharing my challenges with those on this board and *then* going to the mechanic. So, I am writing to ask for help before I go to the shop: What is that part? Photo taken under vert front of car, driver's side. Is this going to be a difficult and expensive repair, meaning more than $150? The crack results in a hole in the seam. Car made an exhaust-leak-like sound which is what led me to look under front of car, where I discovered this hole. The oil? Yeah, I've had several gaskets repaired and thought I was done with oil leaks. But, nope. The oil you see is, according to the repair guy, unfortunately from a head gasket. He shook his head and said "very, very expensive."

Thanks folks..for the speedy replies. Your replies prompted me to get under the car. Ick. Ouch. I can see a pipe up front that has a seam on it that has split. As you can tell, I'm no car expert. It looks like it's part of the exhaust system. If it's not one thing, it's...

Hi == Anybody want to take a stab at what this brand new problem might be? Auto: 89 Subaru Gl Sedan Manual 170,000 Miles and yes, it leaks oil. At idle, no unusual sounds. Seems fine. At idle, when I give it gas or back off the gas, I hear a rumble coming from the engine. It seems to be on the driver's side. When I hold the gas at a set speed, I don't hear the rumble. It's loud. It just started an hour ago. . Any suggestions on how I can better describe the noise? Thought it kinda sounded like exhaust but just had new muffler put on about a month ago.

Will do. And you are right re differentiating between the o-rings. To my uneducated mind, an oring should be an oring. But now I get that there is a difference. I'm going to print this thread out and bring to mechanic tomorrow (sans a few of the mechanic comments). And I'll definitely determine how much leakage is actually occurring. It's so much less that what I had before that I'm pretty happy. Prior to repairs, I was actually getting pools of oil on top of my catalytic converter. Talk about smoke. I'm very reassured by everything everybody is saying. Like I stated earlier, I'm in hog heaven that this forum exists and that you folks give of your time. I determined tonight that I am donating. It's only right that I give back! More chatter on this topic later, once I know more! Thanks!!!!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm so glad you are here to provide feedback. It really means a lot to me. :-) I'm going to take my car down to the mechanic tomorrow and have him hoist it up so I can take a few pics of the underside. I know he'll let me do that for free. He started this biz about ten years back when he was at another shop that was screwing with people. He got pissed and determined to build an affordable and honest shop. He has got a huge and very loyal following of people; focuses on imports. And he loves Soobs. I agree with you re your mechanic comments. What's nice about this guy is that he'll have no qualms about me sharing what you and others on the board say. I like that his ego doesn't flare up. But you're right I don't think he knows this engine like you and others here do. If I believed that, I wouldn't be here. We don't have a Subaru dealership here ( or Kia or Hyundai.) The drawback of being in a small town! Anywho, my upset stomach has disappeared, thanks to you and yours! So now, I'll treat myself to a bowl of peppermint ice cream. Tomorrow, I'll post photos. THANK YOU!!!!!!!

Hello GD! I'm looking at past invoice. It says o-rings were done at the same time that the timing belt and cam seals were done. (Two o-rings cost 14.30 total for parts) This is the same thing as the "cam case o-rings" you are mentioning, right? Oil pan gasket -- no, that has not been replaced. But we did have to tighten the oil pan recently. I'm going to pass on what you said re the oil pan gasket. Thanks! While the bottom has not been steam cleaned, he had one of his guys do a pretty good job of cleaning off all the oil from the bottom. After the past work was done, he said he wanted it cleaned off so he could see where there might be more leaks. No charge for this. And no charges for diagnosis, either. I have started to put aside money for a used/newer car. Actually looked at Kias, Hyundai this past weekend. But my darn Soobie humms along just fine and as I have been her sole owner (can you believe?), I know all of her sounds and hiccups and history. So, what I am hearing is that there's suspicion that this is not a case of head gaskets......and that even if it is, it's not fatal? If it is, can't they deteriorate further and eventually cause engine ruination?

In answer to your question, I dunno! Cam seals (camshaft gear seals per invoice) were done earlier. Are these the same seals you are mentioning? He said "looks like gaskets in the head are leaking." I am wondering if I put up a picture of the leaking engine, would that help? Couple of non-soob-owning friends here grimaced loudly when I told them the mechanic's diagnosis. Said that could result in a warped head and a list of other calamities. One finally told me to go the USMB board (that I rave about) and see what folks here say.

Greetings: I have been having mechanic repair everything that is causing oil leaks in my 89 Subaru GL/Sedan. It has 164,000 miles on it and otherwise runs perfectly. I have had the o-ring, timing belt, oil seal, cam seals (camshaft gear seals, both ohc-sohc) valve cover gasket repaired during the past three months. Put a new muffler and new tires on it today. As of today, I am down to just a few drips of oil leaking rather than the gush I was experiencing. I took it to my mechanic to see if we can pinpoint the cause of the final drips and he put it on the hoist. Several of the guys looked at it. There are about three tiny drip areas. He pointed to "seams" along the engine. He said it appears to be coming from the head gasket. I have zero overheating. I monitor the oil constantly. There's no oil/water problems. No radiator or low water issues. No burning of oil. Cylinders were tested about 5 months ago and they guy said the numbers were amazingly perfect. Tomorrow, my mechanic is going to call me to tell me cost. I have the car. OK, so what does this mean folks? Engine going? Is this a car I should not be driving? Any thoughts??? Pooh. Not too happy. Sunni

Super glue was designed for skin? Really? :-\ Thanks for all the ideas. I'm glad to have options! It snowed here this morning. Amazing.

1989 Gl Sedan --- the chrome trim around the windshield -- passenger side -- from the wiper area up the side of the passenger side windshield -- It's flapping in the wind. I push it in. It pops out. And it seems to be traveling further down the window. Today, I used super glue, held it for a long time, pushed it in all along the trim area, but no go. It's still loose. I used tape to hold it down, hoping the glue will set. Temp is cold here. Anyway, I'm stupid re cars and part names. What exactly do I need to buy to replace this part (or repair) and anyone have suggestions on who to buy from? I'm 80 miles south of Spokane WA (have seen Spokane folks) and 30 miles north of Lewiston, Idaho. THANK YOU!!!!!

I drive a 1989 GL Subaru Sedan. Does it have this valve?

HUGE Thanks. I'm going to my service guy at noon to see if he can fix the final remaining oil leaks (down now to a drip, thankfully) so I was praying that I could save him find/guess time by having an answer. I don't know what I'd do without these forums and people like you! It's payday tomorrow. I will contribute.

Hi -- So sorry. Didn't know what other details needed. Here's more: ** AC stopped blowing cold a few years back. Fan works but blows no cold. ** Only defrost setting causes the spike in the temp gauge ** Heat to the floor, yes, it goes to normal ** When I turn on defrost, temp definitely goes above half on the gauge. I would say it is between the half way mark and the H mark, maybe even slightly higher. It causes me to gulp. ** I've been able to duplicate this every time now since it started two days ago. THANKS!!

Hi -- When I turn on my defrost, I'm noticing that my temp gauge increases. Doesn't go into H but definitely goes up. Turn off defrost, it returns to center. Only happens with defrost. I have an 89 Subaru, GL, 4 door, Sedan, 164,000 miles, one owner! Thanks!