Hey All:

 

Sorry I've been away. You know the story... busy.

 

As some may recall, I have a 94 Legacy Alpine Wagon that received a newer engine. There has been a nice oil leak at the back of the engine. I pulled the engine out today expecting to find a leaky rear main seal, figuring I had screwed it up when I installed it a couple of months back. Well, the RMS was nice and dry, and it looks like the oil is coming from the plate to the right (passenger side) of the crankshaft. I have a few questions:

 

1. What is that plate called?

 

2. Does it take a gasket, or will silicon handle the job?

 

3. Since I thought I would be doing the RMS I didn't drain the oil. Can I fix this leak without draining the oil?

 

When I was prepping the engine a couple of months back, I had intended to change the oil pan gasket, but I could not get the oil pan off. It wouldn't budge at all. It looks like they used the same factory sealant on the plastic plate thingy, and anticipate breaking the it trying to get it off.

 

PS. Murphy, the $500 87 T-Wag still has a tranny leak. I don't look forward to splitting the FT4WD 5 speed (w/ locking diff), but that is a project slated for the fall. I might see if someone wants to swap that for a regular 5 speed high / lo tranny when the time comes.

it's called the crankshaft seal retainer...basically a block cover. Subaru used to make them plastic, for whatever reason, and yes, once they get old, they leak really bad. You can go to a Subaru dealer and get a replacement that's metal (aluminum). It's sealed to the block with engine sealant (silicone gasket tube 1215 on this page,also available from the dealer). Once you've gotten the back of the engine available, it's really easy to replace this cover. just do yourself the favor and get the metal one. (and no, you shouldn't have to

drain the oil...but is an oil change really going to hurt?)

~Erik~

What's it gonna hurt??? Have you seen the price of oil lately?

 

Since I put the oil in upon installation, I have driven the car about 15 miles max.

When I was prepping the engine a couple of months back, I had intended to change the oil pan gasket, but I could not get the oil pan off. It wouldn't budge at all. It looks like they used the same factory sealant on the plastic plate thingy, and anticipate breaking the it trying to get it off.

 

Unless you're sure there is a leak at the oil pan gasket, I'd leave it alone, especially if it's the silicon type. I unnecessarilty pulled the oil pan on a friend's 95 Camry, only to find it was silicon and was not the source of the leaking after all. Replaced it with a cork gasket, and now I have to check & tighten the oil pan bolts a little every time I do an oil change on it. Shoulda left well enough alone.

Unless you're sure there is a leak at the oil pan gasket, I'd leave it alone, especially if it's the silicon type. I unnecessarilty pulled the oil pan on a friend's 95 Camry, only to find it was silicon and was not the source of the leaking after all. Replaced it with a cork gasket, and now I have to check & tighten the oil pan bolts a little every time I do an oil change on it. Shoulda left well enough alone.

 

Oh, the oil pan WOULDN'T budge. I didn't apply too much force as I didn't want to bend the pan. I'm quite sure the leak is at the oil separator plate.