I have a 2007 Outback that has oil leaking from the top passenger-side of the engine.  Any ideas what would be causing this and if it's doable to fix it in the driveway or should it be done by a proper shop?

 

It seems like it's leaking out the top somewhere on the passenger side.  I took some pictures that will hopefully help.

 

https://www.flickr.com/gp/137672956@N07/C568h2

 

 

Unfortunately, that appears to be a head gasket leak at the high pressure oil passage that runs from the top of the block into the top of the head.

Could be a faulty AVLS pressure switch or some of it could be from the power steering pump. 

 

GD

Thanks to both of you.  I looked (and tried to get it in the pictures); the AVLS switches are white and on either side of the engine, I believe, and neither are leaking.

 

If it were the power steering pump, it would be power steering fluid, right?  It is oil that is leaking, for sure.

Subarus use atf as power steering fluid so you'll have to check closely. Red tint will tell you for sure

That pretty much leaves the head gaskets. It's not at all unusual though it's usually not from the pressure gallery like that.

 

If it's really from the gallery I would highly suspect a botched head gasket job in the past. The bolts can be tricky. We see a lot of them galled or stripped and insufficiently torqued due to creaking, etc.

 

GD

I also should have said in my last post the oil level (via the dipstick and driveway leavings) indicate it's oil.  Thanks again...

The only time I've seen this is from a stripped head bolt. We had a car come in that had HG's done by a shady used car dealer and one of the head bolt holes stripped out and oil started pouring from the pressure gallery like that. 

 

It's not a simple repair at that point. The head bolt threads are deep in the block and an oddball size so you need special tools to do it. I had to have my set made by a machinist friend.

 

GD

I've seen the head gaskets fail like this and can tell they've never been done. I see it mostly on the 2006-2009 era cars, usually Legacy and Outbacks.

Replace them with the 770 part number gasket. Resurface the heads and check the block surface for pitting. Chase the block threads and make sure they aren't damaged. 

 

GD