I have recently pulled a EJ22 engine to swap into a 94 Legacy that threw the rod.  I have removed EJ22 engines a few times on other 2.2L Subies, done timing belts, and it is a fairly simple process. My question is the engine I've found has several oil leaks which I would like to clear up before installing.  One of the confusing ones is the Camshaft o-ring replacement.  On the back of the engine (passengers side?) it seems like the oil is weeping out of the cover which is bolted down on the head.  I understand there is an o-ring in here as well as one on the opposite head in front.  Are these o-rings easy to replace and can I get some advise or a link into a string that goes over this?  I can't find this process discussed in any depth within the forum.

Edited September 27, 201510 yr by iriejedi

The rear one is easy. Remove the two bolts and the cover pulls off. Pick the old o-ring off, clean it, new one on and wiggle the cover back on and bolt it back down.

 

The front one on the drivers side requires removing the camshaft timing sprocket, which basically means doing a timing belt job.

There are plenty of other things to check while you have the engine out and access is easy.

The oil pump backing plate screws tend to get loose and back out. Then oil pressure drops off and can cause major engine damage, like chewed up rod bearings. The oil pump needs to be removed to check those.

 

The separator plate and the small access cover on the back of the engine are common leak points. The separator plate should be replaced with the new metal design if its plastic. The access cove can be resealed with a new O-ring or RTV.

 

Valve cover gaskets leak all the time. Those are much easier to replace with the engine out.

I understand and have changed the seporator plates before, the metal and aluminum ones are the way to go. I use ultra gray permatex on that and the oil pan. Don't use a pan gasket. New valve cover gaskets are used as well. I haven't ever changed out the o-rings behind the oil pump or front camshaft sprocket, both camshaft sprockets are off because I wanted to reseal this before putting back together.

 

Can you go into more detail on front o-ring replacement behind the cam sprocket and your procedure in removing and resealing the oil pump?

 

Thanks a bunch, I do not want to have to take it back apart due to leaks or loose a bearing (throw a rod) again!

Edited September 28, 201510 yr by iriejedi