While dealing with the replacement of our failed 4EAT I addressed a few oil leaks that had developed on the remaining original seals on the back of the engine.  Should have done it from the start, but oh well.  New rear main seal installed with a bolt-down tool vs. a PVC pipe fitting.  New DS rear cam seal and the DS wrist pin access O-ring.

Still chasing a coolant leak off engine, likely from the oil cooler or lower hose, but too cold and slushy to work outdoors on that for now.

oil cooler adapter seal is quite likely. Leaks a lot too. Easy to fix with the correct deep socket -  24mm.  the one for my 03 H6 was under 8 bucks - 21370KA001

Edited January 5, 20224 yr by 1 Lucky Texan

I think it's either the lower radiator hose, or the small angled hoses connecting the water pump to the oil cooler.  Coolant scuzz is building up in that area, but not fast enough to show a definite leak, or to have wisps of steam to trace back.  Just the occasional whiff of coolant and the aforementioned scuzz on the hoses.

oh, sorry, COOLANT leaking now, not oil.

maybe 'rent' a pressure testing kit from the parts store.

yup, rent the pressure tester kit.. and clean the scuzz off so you can see.

you can also test radiator cap with the kit as well. worth doing.. the 02 forester had no symptoms to speak of - just a gradual loss from the overflow bottle - but testing showed the cap to be bad.. new cap and no more coolant loss

 

Did you replace the O rings on the coolant crossover pipe when you had the engine apart for HGs? These can also weep overtime and make and have coolant smell. If they’re really bad you’ll see a small pool of coolant on the top of the engine block. 

Cheers 

Bennie