uncle_dave Posted August 25, 2004 Share Posted August 25, 2004 Hello, I have a 2001 Subaru Outback with the 2.5 L engine, and have noticed a burning odor especially when I stop or idle. I think it may be caused by grease dripping from a linkage above the exaust manifold, but am trying to find out if this is correct. Any input you might have would be much appreciated. Thanks, Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adnan Posted August 26, 2004 Share Posted August 26, 2004 Hi, The previous model of Legacy with the Phase I engine was notorious for leaking oil from the crank and cam oil seals. This leak would end up on the exhaust and cause a burning smell. The second source of oil leaks were the valve cover gaskets which would, you guessed it, deposit some oil on the exhaust. I don't know if the Phase II engine (which you have) is prone to the same misbehavior or not but it's easy to check. Go under the front of the car and look at the crank pulley. If the bottom lip of the timing cover is oily, you've probably got leaking seals. From above, reach in around the cylinder heads and run your finger along the valve cover gasket on the underside. If it comes away oily, you may have a leak there. If so, try tightening the bolts up first; chances are you'll need to replace the gaskets anyway. Regards, Adnan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted August 26, 2004 Share Posted August 26, 2004 Hello, I have a 2001 Subaru Outback with the 2.5 L engine, and have noticed a burning odor especially when I stop or idle. I think it may be caused by grease dripping from a linkage above the exaust manifold, but am trying to find out if this is correct. Any input you might have would be much appreciated. Thanks, Dave I have a 99 Forester with the same problem. It is more than likely that you have a leaking crank or cam seal. A relativley small amount of oil is leaking form the seal and dripping on an exhaust system component. This is a problem commonly associated with Subaru engines. Leaking oil has been known to cause the timing belt to fail prematurely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subie Gal Posted August 26, 2004 Share Posted August 26, 2004 peek under the car. that's the only way to know. can be so many different things. cam seal, main seal or simply a bad doj (axle) seal. but it's definately going to be oil of some kind burning off on your exhaust which is why you smell it at a stop.... cheers Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nug Posted August 27, 2004 Share Posted August 27, 2004 Another vote for the doj/cv/axle seal. However, it could easily be any of the above mentioned engine seals/gaskets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
friendly_jacek Posted August 29, 2004 Share Posted August 29, 2004 Another vote for the doj/cv/axle seal. However, it could easily be any of the above mentioned engine seals/gaskets. Another vote here. Cars dated 99-00 had issues with leaking grease from axles. Not sure about 2001, but very easy to see if you look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amphibo Posted September 2, 2004 Share Posted September 2, 2004 Hello, I have a 2001 Subaru Outback with the 2.5 L engine, and have noticed a burning odor especially when I stop or idle. I think it may be caused by grease dripping from a linkage above the exaust manifold, but am trying to find out if this is correct. Any input you might have would be much appreciated. Thanks, Dave Uncle Dave, I posted a new thread 'Burning Oil and the Dealership' before finding this one. I've attached a digi pix I took underneath the car. Some additional info from the respondants that may help. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21151 Amphibo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2manysubes Posted May 6, 2007 Share Posted May 6, 2007 If the smell is really stinky, as distinguished from the normal burning oil smell, I vote for the cv axle seal. Its right by the converter and seems to go earlier than it should. Just did mine, and it takes a while for the grease to finally burn off the converter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2X2KOB Posted May 7, 2007 Share Posted May 7, 2007 Does it seem like front CV boots fail more quickly than rear ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted May 7, 2007 Share Posted May 7, 2007 Does it seem like front CV boots fail more quickly than rear ones? Yes, but for differnt reasons. Rear boots have a very shelterd life. They really dont do much, as the rear wheels dont steer the car. They only have to flex for suspension travel (which is minimal), are in a cool place, ans in the rear away from all the debree. There is very little chance of them getting oil on themselves also. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laush Posted May 7, 2007 Share Posted May 7, 2007 I have had the same odor around my 02 outback ( 04 engine ) turns out it is a head gasket on the pass. side. I had done the drvr side one about a year ago now I have noticed a considerable amount of oil around the one on the passenger side. I have also noticed that the odor is only there mostly when it is cold 5 degrees celsius and below . Must be expansion and contraction of the head?. Anyway I am just going to drive it till it dies - My car is on its second motor only 5 years old 80000 miles first motor was so loud the dealer had to change it to sell it ( major slap ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnW Posted May 7, 2007 Share Posted May 7, 2007 Subiegal is SPOT ON. No way to tell other than lifting the car up and looking and even then it can be a guess. Likely candidates on any ej engine, some may not apply to your model: Rear cam seal (PITA on ej22 Turbo) Plastic breather plate warped on the back of the engine. These came and went and came back repeatedly for some odd reason. There are now 3 versions of the breather plate out there. Plastic, aluminum and now steel (chrome in appearance!) Cam seals on the front/crank seal/oil pump leaking. Power steering pump or rack leaking CV Boot(s) torn Transmission output shaft seals leaking (not real likely) Incorrect crush washer used/re-used when changing oil Incorrect or loose oil filter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J A Blazer Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I had the same problem on my 2000 OBW; smelled like burning rubber. No evidence of coolant or oil leak. Close inspection revealed torn inner CV boot on passenger side. 105,000 miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY_Dave Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Grrr, burning plastic/rubber smell on my '03 OBW with the 6 cyl. 55Kmiles, just picked it up. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2X2KOB Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Dave, 55k is pretty early for boot failure. Have you checked underneath? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY_Dave Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 Haven't crawled under yet, but its def. a rubber/plastic burning smell, not oil. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uniberp Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 Hello, I have a 2001 Subaru Outback with the 2.5 L engine, and have noticed a burning odor especially when I stop or idle. I think it may be caused by grease dripping from a linkage above the exaust manifold, but am trying to find out if this is correct. Any input you might have would be much appreciated. Thanks, Dave No one seems to have mentioned that the most common reason for burning (oil/grease) smell is broken front inboard passenger side CV boot, spewing grease at speed directly onto the catalytic convertor. This boot is usually the first ot fail due to close proximity to high heat source (cat). Note: burning grease smells "hot" (especially moly cv grease). Burning oil smells "oily". Also, distinctions shoud be made between front and rear main (crank) seals. Rear seals never (hardly ever) leak. Fronts leak but do not drip on exhaust. If there is an apparent oil leak at the junction of engine/bellhousing, it may be the "plastic separator plate" issue. See my other threads for fix. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 Also, distinctions shoud be made between front and rear main (crank) seals. Rear seals never (hardly ever) leak. Fronts leak but do not drip on exhaust. If there is an apparent oil leak at the junction of engine/bellhousing, it may be the "plastic separator plate" issue. See my other threads for fix. Front seal if it is leaking bad enough can get an oil mist sprayed on the exhaust system ( I speak from experience) and give you a choking smoke inside the car when stopped. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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