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so looks like its that time for me :-\


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are you running a really light oil? - these engines are not designed for anything below 10w-30 - you may even try 15w-40 as it is (I assume) a worn engine

 

also, you may want to replace the PCV valve anyway - they don't always "look" bad when they are - a bad PCV will cause every seal to leak like it is bad - been there, done that - a $5 part is better than an engine rebuild - make sure it is OEM, as aftermarkets are known to have real performance issues

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the intake manifold bolts, try soaking them in PBlaster before moving them. Also trying to tighten them will help break them loose but not too much or you could break them. If they do break, you can go to CarQuest and get a helicoil kit for about 40 bucks but it works on a lot of bolts that tend to break on Subarus

 

not sure on the EGR tube size

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yeah sounds like the PCV valve is gone and might run 10w30 or even 15w40 cause the weight your running is a lil light as for seals just reseal the sucker cause if your not leaking from the HG's don't take the motor apart, save the hassle but might do a timing belt change with also new waterpump while you are resealing the motor

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yeah sounds like the PCV valve is gone and might run 10w30 or even 15w40 cause the weight your running is a lil light as for seals just reseal the sucker cause if your not leaking from the HG's don't take the motor apart, save the hassle but might do a timing belt change with also new waterpump while you are resealing the motor

 

the weird thing is it seems this isnt the first time its been apart. there were mixed fasteners all over and some bolts heads showed some wear. and I did throw in a new pcv before all this. the intake manifold gasket looks like it has been leaking coolant for a while as well.

 

I have all new gaskets and timing belts and its due for both.

 

edit why does everyone want me to run thicker oil?

my oil pressure is fine, i get no lifter tick, and it runs very quiet. thicker oil is just a waste of engine power.

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so I foind out that my main really bad leak was the rear main seal. the clutch looked new and in fact said made in china on it. tsk tsk. but the whole of the bellhousing was covered in oil.

 

why are all the seals in my engine super brittle and hard? the valve cover ones crumbled in my hand when i took them off. every seal looked 100% shot.

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it can happen and with the age of the car and such they prolly are the original gaskets and seals

 

 

you should see the EA-81 that I have taken apart in the garage the seals in the oil pump assy were hard as a rock and snapped in half when twisted so wouldn't be suprised about those seals being shot on yours

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are you running a really light oil? - these engines are not designed for anything below 10w-30 - you may even try 15w-40 as it is (I assume) a worn engine

 

Where did you hear that from? :confused::confused:

 

Ive got a 150k+ mile turbo shortblock in my RX right now, and it does not smoke one bit and i run 5w30 Motul Synthetic in it.

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Where did you hear that from? :confused::confused:

 

Ive got a 150k+ mile turbo shortblock in my RX right now, and it does not smoke one bit and i run 5w30 Motul Synthetic in it.

The 1985 MY owner's manual says specifically on page 90 (in bold):

CAUTION:

 

 

 

  • SAE 5W-30 is not recommended for turbo vehicles or sustained high-speed driving on all vehicles
  • On turbo vehicles, you can use SAE 5W-30 when engine starting is difficult in severe cold areas where temperatures are below -25C (-13F) or below. However, for warm weather operation, it is necessary to change SAE 5W-30 oil to a new oil listed in the above chart as soon as possible.

I have had trouble with lash adjuster noise in warm weather with 10w-30, so I think 5w-30 would really be thin, but if it works for you, keep doing it - you have pulled a lot more miles out of that turbo engine than most do, and with freash oil pump seals, it may be OK

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The 1985 MY owner's manual says specifically on page 90 (in bold):

CAUTION:

 

 

 

 

  • SAE 5W-30 is not recommended for turbo vehicles or sustained high-speed driving on all vehicles
  • On turbo vehicles, you can use SAE 5W-30 when engine starting is difficult in severe cold areas where temperatures are below -25C (-13F) or below. However, for warm weather operation, it is necessary to change SAE 5W-30 oil to a new oil listed in the above chart as soon as possible.

...

The viscosity recommendations mostly have to do with oil pressure; they expect that the turbo engine or hot weather/heavy load driving will run the oil temperature hotter and thus reduce oil pressure under load. Any thinning will be relative to the higher visc number in the multi-visc rating (i.e. the -30 part of 5-30, 10-30, whatever). The lower number (i.e. 5- 10-) is relatively irrelevant at operating temperatures, as it is the viscosity index at low/ambient temperatures.

 

 

So, as long as oil pressure is good at operating temperatures then the viscosity is satisfactory. Running an oil cooler (as I believe WJM ALWAYS does) mitigates most of the situations that the manual warns about.

 

 

A small variation in viscosity should make little or no difference in oil getting past oil rings/valve seals.

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So, as long as oil pressure is good at operating temperatures then the viscosity is satisfactory. Running an oil cooler (as I believe WJM ALWAYS does) mitigates most of the situations that the manual warns about.

good point, I agree - with an oil cooler, running a lower viscosity should not be a problem - I am actually looking at putting one on mine, if I can find one cheap, or can spare the money

 

erik litchy - looking at your engine, it looks as though it was running VERY rich, or had bad rings (which I think you mentioned) or both - however, it does look repairable so far - I would have the heads cleaned by a professional shop though - you will really know when you pull the pistons whether or not you can save it - I think the engine was badly overheated, because I have not found any seals in my engine in the condition you describe, save the oil pump - and that is under higher pressure (I resealed the front several years ago at 128k)

 

GOOD LUCK - I hope the water pump does not hold out much longer!!

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