I was looking through the forum today trying find info about a small oil leak in our 96 Legacy Outback and also that the heater/ac/fan display and also the radio/clock no longer light up. (91K miles, 2.5 engine)

 

Mainly there's a smell of oil in the car when idling and the vents are open. We've been back to Subaru numerous times and had various gaskets replaced. They added a dye which required UV light if leaks were evident. They found a very small leak between the engine and the transmission, which would require them to remove the transmission and cost over $500. (ouch)

Are oil leaks common Subaru problems? I'm thinking twice about getting another one.

 

Does this sound like something that could be done if the timing belt was replaced early?

 

As for the heater control dashboard lights and radio/clock, is there any reasonable way to fix these without having to replace the whole module or radio?

 

I can't seem to find any Search for the various forums, so looking through these threads one at a time is difficult.

 

Where is the forum Search feature?

 

Thank you-

Vickie

SEARCH function is is the gray bar at the top of this site, next to "new posts" and "quick links". Click on Search and a window will open below. Put in your key word and it will display results.

My understanding of the oil leak is that it is a rear engine seal and is unrelated to the front of the engine where timing belts would be replaced.

Good luck

As for the heater control dashboard lights and radio/clock, is there any reasonable way to fix these without having to replace the whole module or radio?

The bulbs burn out. My local Subaru dealer stocks them, and they wanted $11 for the three bulbs.

Open the cupholder, unscrew the screws on its right and left side. Pry out the trim piece with the hazard lights and two vents on it. The heater controls can now be unplugged and unscrewed.

In addition to three wires plugging in to the controls, there's a cable attached to the temperature slider. Go under the dash by the passenger's left foot and make a mental note of how the cable is held in place. Detach it, and the heater controls are free.

The replacement bulbs screw in place with about a quarter-turn. Maybe 1/8 turn.

Thank you. I just can't figure out why I do not have that grey bar at the top that you say contains the Search function. I have tried two different computers and can not find the Search function for this forum using either one.

 

Likewise, I also can not find anything saying "quick links" or "new posts" either. I have used the IE6 browser Find feature to look for the words "Quick" or "Search" on each forums main page and neither word is found.

 

I have also asked another person to look on their system and they also see no grey Search bar area. All using IE6/XP.

 

Thanks-

Vickie

 

 

 

SEARCH function is is the gray bar at the top of this site, next to "new posts" and "quick links". Click on Search and a window will open below. Put in your key word and it will display results.

My understanding of the oil leak is that it is a rear engine seal and is unrelated to the front of the engine where timing belts would be replaced.

Good luck

OK, well after I posted my last note I saw the Search, New Posts, and Quick Links appear in the grey bar. It seems you must log in in order to see those. Those options do not show up otherwise.

 

Vickie

 

Thank you. I just can't figure out why I do not have that grey bar at the top that you say contains the Search function. I have tried two different computers and can not find the Search function for this forum using either one.

 

Likewise, I also can not find anything saying "quick links" or "new posts" either. I have used the IE6 browser Find feature to look for the words "Quick" or "Search" on each forums main page and neither word is found.

 

I have also asked another person to look on their system and they also see no grey Search bar area. All using IE6/XP.

 

Thanks-

Vickie

Thank you. I guess to get the lights back in the radio/CD/clock I'd need to replace the whole unit? It would be nice to see the time and radio station at night again.

 

Vickie

 

The bulbs burn out. My local Subaru dealer stocks them, and they wanted $11 for the three bulbs.

Open the cupholder, unscrew the screws on its right and left side. Pry out the trim piece with the hazard lights and two vents on it. The heater controls can now be unplugged and unscrewed.

In addition to three wires plugging in to the controls, there's a cable attached to the temperature slider. Go under the dash by the passenger's left foot and make a mental note of how the cable is held in place. Detach it, and the heater controls are free.

The replacement bulbs screw in place with about a quarter-turn. Maybe 1/8 turn.

The lights in the radio can be replaced also. They may be a different style, I'm not sure. It would be too expensive to replace the unit just because the lights are out.

I wouldn't worry too much about the leak between the engine and trans. There is something on the back of the engine that likes to leak, but I'm not aware of leaks in that location really smellin' everything up.

 

Yeah, subarus can leak a lot when they get some miles on them.

 

When you get your timing belt replaced, also replace the front crank seal, and the two cam seals. These seem to be major culprits.

 

Finally, inspect the inner CV joint boots. They split and slop grease all over the exhaust.

On my 90 Loyale, aside from the usual front end seal leaks, there were leaks from the valve cover gaskets and the little rubber grommets where the bolts atach the valve covers to the engines.

It seems Subarus use leaking oil as somewhat crude anti-rust program. You can also earn some spare cash resealing asphalt driveways with your leaking car.