I'm replacing the clutch in my '97 legacy 2.2. I noticed oil at the bottom of the flywheel area, Figured it was from the rear main seal, I took the flywheel off to be surfaced so no big deal, At the back of the block you have the crank and to the right theres a plastic cover, the oil appears to be leaking around that cover and not from seal, question is what is that cover callled, whats behind it, does it have a gasket or is just sealed with some sort of sealant before I take it off. It has 110k on it, I could find anything in my book on it ,while I have it tore down so far I'm going to change the rack too, whats another couple hundred bucks right, this thing has been a pile of problems since I bought it, by the time its on the road, it'll have new rockers, clutch, axles, timing belt/waterpump kit, should be like new. It's the tale of two cars, under the hood looks great, wheels up, clean car, underneath a rustbucket, I couldnt get a good look sitting on the grass, time its done it will be reliable. Thanks

                                                                Charlie

Oil separator plate. Cost @ 38-40 including the screws that are needed.

Have read somewhere that a 3rd party now also makes it.

Dealers don't have shipping charges.

 

O.

The aftermarket part is Dorman # 917-034 or Napa # NOE 6005502

Great thanks.

Don't mess with the rear main unless you know it's bad.  Most of the time the oil is coming from the breather plate.

 

Changed rear main seals cause more leaks than they fix.

Thanks, I wasn't going to unless I had to, I assumed  thats where it was leaking.

+1 get a metal rear separator plate and it's associated screws (they are different).  it gets RTV type stuff, no gasket.

 

rear mains in Subarus almost never leak - and they are prone to leak if not installed VERY carefully.

they are not nearly as forgiving as front crank or cam seals - you have to go slow, intentional, and precise with rear main seals in Subarus.

 

i've always wondered why Subaru main seals don't leak?