Oi there

Changed the engine oil pump o-ring on my 92 Legacy the other day, using many tips from the forum, so wanted to give something back....

 

Here are a few extra tips and interesting findings.

 

Fan removal. The two bottom screws fit into slots in the fan frame. So no need to remove them, just unscrew them a bit. Saves a lot of agro when refitting...

 

Main belt pulley bolt. Didn’t have anything handy to stop the engine from turning while trying to undo. Put a long ring spanner on bolt, left the car in 5th gear with handbrake on, and using a long wood plank, hit the spanner end a few times, not too strongly. After some 5-6 hits the bolt loosened, the flywheel acting as a stopper against the jolts.

Found that the engine oil pump wasn’t the only thing leaking. The ATF fluid reservoir of the power steering pump has an o-ring between it and the pump body and it was leaking too, covering the engine top with oil. Emptied the reservoir using a syringe and a tube, and refitted it with the old o-ring but with plenty of sealant around. Everything is dry now.

A biggie. Turned out that the whole steering pump was holding on with just one screw!!!! Put another two screws, loctited the three of them.

 

Check yours out. Screws can be seen through the holes in the pulley.

 

Tried to clean the rubber seals between the cam belt covers with kerosene, turned out to be a big mistake! The rubber swells and the seals are almost useless now. Use just soapy water on them.

 

Was surprised to see how distorted the back belt covers were, specially the one behind the right side cam pulley (due to ATF fluid leak?). Was a bit of a pain fitting them back on without them touching the pulleys or belts. Any body has got an idea of the cost of these covers + rubber seals? Might want to fit new ones.

 

As witnessed by everybody, engine oil pump screws were VERY loose. Fitted pump back using loctite on the screws and quite a bit more torque.

 

300 miles and everything is super dry, zero oil consumption. Seems like the quart per 1000 miles that I was adding was finding its way to the ground all the time...

 

Cheers

Turboguzzi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks, very thoughtful and informative!

Thanks, very thoughtful and informative!

 

What he says .