Today I finally got around to doing the airbox mod that caleb planted in my head a while back (thanks!) and while I had the airbox off the car I finally found the source of a really obnoxious oil leak. I don't know this engine too well though, so can someone help me out and identify that fat red hose with the oil seeping from it?

 

Sorry I couldn't get a better angle on the pic, but the leak is at the end of that line, which is obstructed.

 

Thanks

 

Drew

Looks like an EA82T? Maybe '85 or older?

 

That hose looks like somebody replaced the OEM PCV breather hose with heater hose. Heater hose is not particularly oil-resistant, particularly on the inside. It gets soft and swells (and leaks) easily when exposed to oil very long.

 

On the several I've looked at, the EA82 PCV hoses seem to get very hard and brittle over time, esp. the pieces that are directly attached to the tops of the valve covers, as the one you show, and the first time you touch them, they like to snap off at the top of the nipple, but even if they don't, they crack and leak 1" up.

 

I've bought a couple from Subaru. The L&R are about $30 each for NA; I priced a left side one for an '86 turbo and it was about $29 four months ago. I assume that the right side (the one you show) would be about the same. As Subaru uses a bastard ID PCV hose, making replacement via the aftermarket difficult, I'd suggest buying one from Subaru. As extra insurance, when replacing it, use a std worm-drive hose clamp or similar, rather than the light spring clamp that Subaru originally used.

 

Incidentally: if that's the only major oil leak, you've won the Subaru oil leak lottery. There are a lot worse oil leaks to have to fix on an EA82 (oil pump mtg., camcase o-rings, head gaskets, cam seals, crank seals, etc.). You are living the clean life

Thanks for the good info. I should've mentioned that this is the car in my sig, '86 GL-10 4x4 turbo wagon. The motor only has 60k or so on it. I'll have to check to see if the driver's side hose is simliar; may as well correct that too.

 

As far as I can tell this is the only big leak, at least there aren't any spots on the driveway to indicate otherwise. It's an annoyance because it'll seep out overnight and then cook off the valve cover on my way to work in the morning. It's smoky and smelly for a minute or two.

Originally posted by drewcifer85710

I should've mentioned that this is the car in my sig, '86 GL-10 4x4 turbo wagon. The motor only has 60k or so on it

Well, that explains why you only have this leak OTOH, you have so many more to look forward to -- unless you sell one of use that rig

While you're at the local stealership buying OE hoses, get a new PCV valve too. Makes a big difference:D

you can always take out the old pcv valve and shake it, if it rattles it is still good. But for as cheap as they typically are it would be nothin to replace.

Just be sure to get an OEM PCV if you do replace it.. I have heard terrible things about the parts store chepos.