February 10, 200521 yr Just had (2 weeks ago) the passenger side valve cover gasket done, and had them do an oil change (while they were in there) and we're still smelling burning oil at idle. I've looked (as best as I can) from top and bottom and can't see anything dripping onto the exhaust, etc. I've ran my hand under the valve cover gasket and no oil. I also pulled the spark plug wires to see if it was there. Nothing, they were clean. Any ideas of where else to look... It seems to be getting worse. I've checked the oil level, no loss. Oh yeah, I checked the access panel for the filter, nothing there. TIA
February 10, 200521 yr Just had (2 weeks ago) the passenger side valve cover gasket done, and had them do an oil change (while they were in there) and we're still smelling burning oil at idle. I've looked (as best as I can) from top and bottom and can't see anything dripping onto the exhaust, etc. I've ran my hand under the valve cover gasket and no oil. I also pulled the spark plug wires to see if it was there. Nothing, they were clean. Any ideas of where else to look... It seems to be getting worse. I've checked the oil level, no loss. Oh yeah, I checked the access panel for the filter, nothing there. TIA This may sound crazy, but check the hoses up around the top of the case in front of the air box. I had the same scenario lately and discovered that two hoses were disconnected. After I reattached them the smell went away. I might add that the oil smell I had was fresh and hot, not burnt.
February 10, 200521 yr Two days ago took 2000 Outback in for the usual burning oil smell. The Tech said both head gaskets gone, leaking oil externally. Hard to see unless you know where to look. Waranty still had two days to go thankfully. They also found water pump leaking. Goes in next week. Only 88000 KMs I previously had a 95 Legacy sedan that had similiar problems. I also understand the recall for coolant addituve for this 2000 Outback. It is pretty sad that they cannot fix the Headgasket and seal leaks that this company has had with these engines for well over 10 years now. Currently trying to decide if to get rid of it after it is fixed, because I was told that they just put back the same type of gasket for the repair. What stops it from leaking again in the near future. Dave :-\
February 10, 200521 yr Just had (2 weeks ago) the passenger side valve cover gasket done, and had them do an oil change (while they were in there) and we're still smelling burning oil at idle. I've looked (as best as I can) from top and bottom and can't see anything dripping onto the exhaust, etc. I've ran my hand under the valve cover gasket and no oil. I also pulled the spark plug wires to see if it was there. Nothing, they were clean. Any ideas of where else to look... It seems to be getting worse. I've checked the oil level, no loss. Oh yeah, I checked the access panel for the filter, nothing there. TIA Check the passenger side inner cv boot for cracking. It can drip grease onto the exhaust, and that smells like burning oil.
February 10, 200521 yr Check the passenger side inner cv boot for cracking. It can drip grease onto the exhaust, and that smells like burning oil. Ditto. It can even drip lube at the seal without visual cracking, check if wet with oil.
February 11, 200521 yr Author I checked all over again. I smelled it shortly after I started the car. I trolled around with my trust MAG Light and found that the top of the passenger side half shaft was coated in oil. By top, I mean the part from the trans case to the Inner CV boot. It's kinda wierd, it's not on the boot, and the boot looks intact. I did drive it and when I parked it was "turned around". Wonder if the seal is starting to go on the trans side. They are really, really close to the exhaust. I really couldn't see the driver's side of the trans case too well to compare the seal area. It goes back to the shop that did the VCG tomorrow. I will report my findings to them, and see what they have to say. Thanks for all the help...
February 11, 200521 yr Do you have this problem:? "Too-thin CV-joint grease. This is *NOT* a recall, but enough complaints have occured that I thought I'd mention it. Symptoms are smoke and a burning smell from under the hood on some 1998 Outbacks and Foresters. The cause is improper DOJ (CV joint...) grease, which is too thin and melts at lower-than-desired temperatures, leaking onto the exhaust and vaporizing. Subaru will fix this under warranty, and it is not a safety issue, though driving your CV joints dry will destroy them." Copied from: http://www.toad.net/~rrubel/bulletin.html I had that problem in a MY 2000 legacy.
February 14, 200521 yr Author Here's the verdict... They found a bad axle seal on the passenger side. $200 to replace it... They also offered this... I've never heard of this and have questions on it for you good folks... They wanted to die the motor oil to see if there is any further leaks... I opted not to take it, not sure if any reprocussions... Plus I looked from top to bottom on that motor and I'd eat off of it... That's how clean it is/was returned from the VCG job.
February 15, 200521 yr Dyeing the motor oil is a good way to find hard-to-find leaks. They put a few ounces of flourescent dye that dissolves in your oil, and drive it around for a while. The dye is visable as a bright orange under ultraviolet light. If the smell persists, I'd go the dye route. I'd bet you have cam seals that are leaking. You can't tell unless you take the timing covers off, though.
February 15, 200521 yr Author Dyeing the motor oil is a good way to find hard-to-find leaks. They put a few ounces of flourescent dye that dissolves in your oil, and drive it around for a while. The dye is visable as a bright orange under ultraviolet light. If the smell persists, I'd go the dye route. I'd bet you have cam seals that are leaking. You can't tell unless you take the timing covers off, though. I plan on doing the dye if we still are smelling it by next week. I want to try it without first. They checked all over as well and they only saw the axle seal leak, but who knows it could also be some blow by from driving... We'll see Thanks for expaination on the dyeing. I've not heard of that technique yet. It makes sense on how it would work.
February 15, 200521 yr Here's the verdict... They found a bad axle seal on the passenger side. $200 to replace it... They also offered this... I've never heard of this and have questions on it for you good folks... They wanted to die the motor oil to see if there is any further leaks... I opted not to take it, not sure if any reprocussions... Plus I looked from top to bottom on that motor and I'd eat off of it... That's how clean it is/was returned from the VCG job. I've been wondering about that seal. It's where a rotating part meets the differential case. Does anybody know if this should or shouuld not be a standard replacement when you replace an axle? Is there anything special about the procedure? Would there be serious falure of the seal with a new axle? I read some differential stub bearing replacement procedures for what were apparently older models, but another thread of mine got a reply that the bearing is not easily or normally replaceable. How about the seal? Mpergiel99foresterlelmhurstil
February 28, 200521 yr Author It's going on 2 weeks now since the axle seal replacement, and no more smell of burning oil. I'd have to say that there are no more leaks... For how long ?? Who knows...
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now