So a while ago my car would not start up so i opened the air cleaner box and saw that there was oily goo seeping into my carb. I traced it to the breather hose from the passenger side valve cover. Why is it making oil and gunk come out of this tube? could it be a faulty PCV valve? Or is it my head gasket. I sincerely hope it is the former...

Really don't think you should worry about head gaskets on that.It is pretty common that the pcv valve will start to get gummed up and you will start to get some "blow by".Just clean up your pcv valve with some seafoam or some carb cleaner.Usually they don't need to be replaced just cleaned. Besides it is a subaru so a little oil cleaning is in order.

Take the hose off the PCV valve while your car is on and put your finger over it, then slow increase your throttle. If a vacum is created on your finger your PCV valve is working fine. You can also take your PCV valve off and shake it, if it make a rattle sound it is work fine. Also check the hose for blockages and blow it out with compressed air. After all your dealing with a 25+ old car.

 

Tony

 

 

So a while ago my car would not start up so i opened the air cleaner box and saw that there was oily goo seeping into my carb. I traced it to the breather hose from the passenger side valve cover. Why is it making oil and gunk come out of this tube? could it be a faulty PCV valve? Or is it my head gasket. I sincerely hope it is the former...

Well I think your expert advices have fixed my problem. Thank you so much guys! This is the best Subaru forum I've ever found. Thanks again!

 

-Jake