Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Ultimate Subaru Message Board

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Anyone ever replace an EA81 front crank seal?

Featured Replies

I'm looking at this oil leak I have. Nothing major but it leaves a spot on the driveway and cruds up my engine bay (rust protection right?). The leak seems to be coming from behind the crank pulley and dripping down the front. It does leave some residue on the underside of the air filter housing. Anyone have any tips, tricks, videos, diagrams or such before I dive into this?

In addition to the front seal you are going to want to pull the oil pump and replace the oring seals too. Be careful not to break the pump when pulling it off. Twist it using the filter as a handle don't pull real hard or you'll crack it.

While you have the crank pulley off check it for cracks. I've had two that leaked because of a crack in the pulley.

  • Author

Do I need to pull the oil pump to get to the crank seal? It didn't look like it. Are the oil pump seals a necessity as preventative maintenance? I'm new to these engines so anything you can tell me is appreciated.

22 minutes ago, Newdesertfoxowner said:

Do I need to pull the oil pump to get to the crank seal? It didn't look like it. Are the oil pump seals a necessity as preventative maintenance? I'm new to these engines so anything you can tell me is appreciated.

The thing is, once you start taking things apart its silly to only replace one seal.  Might as well do all the front seals including the oil pump. 

Depending on the engine mileage and the last time it was resealed, you may want to remove the engine and reseal the whole thing.  It's much easier to do out of the vehicle than in.  And you won't have to come back and take everything apart again for the next small leak.

If one is leaking the rest are not far behind......

  • Author

I get what you're saying. I'd love to have the ability to do all that. But winter is coming and I have only a driveway. Between that and a lack of serious funding I'll just stick with my current leak. This is a secondary vehicle so it's not super important to get done right away. 

That situation it makes sense.  Just beware, the crank seal may not be the only leak. 

I’ve done it on mine. The crank seal was SOOOO old and crusty that a bit broke off and it leaked over a certain rev.  I limped it home at 80kmph hoping the oil light didn’t come on. That was a very nervous 28km. 

I did as above - crank seal and oil pump reseal at the same time. 

Cheers 

Bennie

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

Sign In Now

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.