i am working on an 85 subaru brat 1800, it is leaking oil out of the front of the engine. i think it has to do with the oil pump, but the weird thing is it doesn't want to build oil pressure. i have replaced the mounting gasket, but my local auto parts store doesn't have the o rings for the oil pump. my local auto parts store doesn't have a oil pump either. does anyone have any suggestions?

I have a new rebuild kit for the oil pump if you cannot find one locally.

Tony p

New Salem, NC

Subaru dealers still carry the resealing kit, and pumps can be found on the internet. if the seals aren't holding, you won't build pressure. There is also the chance the inside of the pump is scarred or worn if this went on for a long period. Only way to know is take it apart and inspect.

thanks for the info i have taken it apart there is no scaring its actually in good shape, and i found a rebuild kit on rockauto.com. I will try that once i get the parts.:cool:

Go to an o-ring supplier and match up the seals - get Viton. Use loctite 518 for the pump-to-block surface.

 

Check your oil pressure with a shop gauge. Don't rely on the dash gauge. They arent accurate.

 

GD

Edited May 28, 201213 yr by GeneralDisorder

good idea especially since the dash gauge is only hooked to a oil light sensor. kind of makes me wonder if it even works lol

Can Permatex® High-Temp Red RTV Silicone Gasket be substituted for the Loctite 518? I'm having trouble finding the latter and I need to seal my oil pump as soon as possible.

i would try ultra copper rtv. that is what my parts store had in stock for the pump to block surface.

update.

i went online and ordered a rebuild kit for my oil pump (it only took five min. to rebuild) and re installed but ended up being front oil seal.

thanks to everyone for your help.

p.s. i think the oil pump needed to be rebuilt anyway because as soon as i replaced after rebuild it actually built up enough oil pressure to start spraying oil everywhere (that's when i figured out it was the front seal).

the late model ea81 is hydrolic lifter type if oil preshure is low will tick thiss engine dumps off its exsess oil preshure through the pushrods and rocker assembly they put restictions in the rocker shafts to hold the oil preshure in the block the last one i had with low preshure had a bashed pan that had been pushed tight to oil pickup screen and was restriting the oil pickup screen

i noticed the ticking at first but now that i have replaced the front oil seal and ran it (and also got rid of the rats nest in muffler ) they quit ticking and the engine defiantly has pressure now.

this car has sat for three years so i have a project ahead of me i need a new muffler, ball joints and to finish the weber swap someone didn't finish and it will be a runner.