2009 Forester XT. Wife's Daily Driver.

Should I be worried? just rolled over 60k, so no more warranty left...

That sounds odd. Was it leaking oil out the seal, or did it get pushed out? The older soobs sometimes had the screws on the back of the pump loosen up, and let oil leak along the shaft and out the seal. Sometimes it could even push the seal out. If that's what was happening, and they simply replaced the seal, maybe that's the real issue on yours.

both times it appeared to be pushed out. the first time, was after a long day of driving, capped by a drive through the Smokey Mountains into Georgia.

 

the second time, there was nothing out of the ordinary for driving... tech thought maybe the 1st replacement by dealer in GA was maybe not in all the way? but said we'll need to monitor it, just in case...

If it was pushed out, and there was oil there, that could have been the screws backing out. Then the oil can travel under pressure along the crank and push the seal out. That was more in the mid 90's so they might not be thinking about it as much anymore. Make sure all repairs are documented, because if it's the screws backing out, it will most likely happen again.

what he said above.

 

at the second repair i probably would have just installed a new oil pump and be done with it on a such a new and highly valued vehicle and such a critical component since it's cheap.

 

the crank seal is installed in the oil pump, so getting a new pump would solve any possible extraneous or abnormal issue like the oil pump casing is somehow compromised which leads to the seal not seating. here's one for $160 and it shows the seal that you're having problems with:

 

http://www.garagespec.com/collections/subaru-oe/products/11mm-oil-pump-kit-subaru-oem-sti-wrx-ej20-ej25

 

if it happens again properly resealing the oil pump and checking those screws should do it. you could also opt for a new pump.

^^ that looks like a sweet oil pump! Normal genuine ones are running around $129 online. I think Cosworth makes a high volume pump like that too with a 100psi relief.

^^ that looks like a sweet oil pump! Normal genuine ones are running around $129 online.

great thanks porc - i tried to briefly look up OEM but couldn't find it so I just posted that as a price reference showing that they're cheap.

 

i'd go with the $129 OEM unit myself.

You still have the emissions and corrosion warranties. Emissions is for the cats, etc too which saves ya a lot of money.

 

Additionally anything covered in the 60 that was recent is covered 1yr/12 I think.