I have a 98 outback wagon automatic. Dealer tells me that sep plate is starting to leak and will need repair that involves removing transmission. Please explain what this is and is it common at 78,000 miles? Thanks. bill 123

It's a small plate that mounts to the rear of the engine, behind the flywheel. In the earlier cars, like mine, it was made from plastic and often cracked/leaked. Subaru updated this part with a metal version which is now available.

 

How does the dealer know that it is leaking? If you are having that replaced I would also replace the rear main seal while the trans/flywheel is out. It is another potential leak. I did these last summer due to a need for a clutch replacement and installed the metal separator. Replacing the seal and separator takes all of 15 minutes, it's dropping the trans that gets expensive on labor if they do it.

 

I am not sure which plate was used in '98. I am sure most dealers will install the metal one, but it doesn't hurt to make sure.

 

-Heikki

if you haven't already had your 60/120K service, this would be a good time for it. i have a subaru shop in nj that would do your separator plate and a full 60/120K service for $700 thanks

 

subarueast@yahoo.com

Thanks for your help. Bill

It's a small plate that mounts to the rear of the engine, behind the flywheel. In the earlier cars, like mine, it was made from plastic and often cracked/leaked. Subaru updated this part with a metal version which is now available.

 

How does the dealer know that it is leaking? If you are having that replaced I would also replace the rear main seal while the trans/flywheel is out. It is another potential leak. I did these last summer due to a need for a clutch replacement and installed the metal separator. Replacing the seal and separator takes all of 15 minutes, it's dropping the trans that gets expensive on labor if they do it.

 

I am not sure which plate was used in '98. I am sure most dealers will install the metal one, but it doesn't hurt to make sure.

 

-Heikki

Here is a picture of the rear of a Legacy engine with the aluminum plate.

 

 

Here is a picture of the rear of a Legacy engine with the aluminum plate.

 

what is this "iATN" log-in thing that we get when we attempt to see this picture??

 

 

how did he decipher the seperator plate as the source of the leak? it also doesn't make sense that this thing should leak enough to need replacing. can't think of any way to differentiate seperator leakage over rear main seal. the seperators that i've seen aren't under any constant oil pressure or supply either, more or less a vent/drainage back to the oil pan, i can't imagine it leaking very much. i've pulled 200,000 mile motors and the most i've seen is some wetness, no major leaks from these things. i've owned many soobs, worked on other subaru's and i'm a moderator at http://www.xt6.net and i've never seen or heard of anyone having a seperator leak fixed. i know people (myself twice) that have replaced it only because the motor was out for some other reason though. if this is even possilbe, it is very rare indeed.

 

i would get a second oppinion. how much oil are you leaking?

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2603&stc=1

 

 

Try this.

Thanks for your help. Bill

how did he decipher the seperator plate as the source of the leak? it also doesn't make sense that this thing should leak enough to need replacing. can't think of any way to differentiate seperator leakage over rear main seal. the seperators that i've seen aren't under any constant oil pressure or supply either, more or less a vent/drainage back to the oil pan, i can't imagine it leaking very much. i've pulled 200,000 mile motors and the most i've seen is some wetness, no major leaks from these things. i've owned many soobs, worked on other subaru's and i'm a moderator at www.xt6.net and i've never seen or heard of anyone having a seperator leak fixed. i know people (myself twice) that have replaced it only because the motor was out for some other reason though. if this is even possilbe, it is very rare indeed.

 

i would get a second oppinion. how much oil are you leaking?

I have a 98 outback wagon automatic. Dealer tells me that sep plate is starting to leak and will need repair that involves removing transmission. Please explain what this is and is it common at 78,000 miles? Thanks. bill 123

My mother's 97 OBW is having the same issue. Deer Lake Auto Sales in Deer Lake quoted replacing the the sep plate (with metal) for $387! All they do is Subaru's so they must be good and fast. Either that or they think a good time is beating their thumb with a hammer. That is alot of work for 400 bucks! After it is scheduled they do it in a day. Spend another $25-$35 and have the front seal of the transmission and rear engine seal replaced while it is apart and easy to get to.

 

They are 15 minutes north of Hamburg (intersection of I-78 and Route 61). You can't miss the intersection. There is a new Cabella's there that I am sure is visable from the moon!

Thanks for your help. Bill