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What is this Oil leak around my exhaust/head/rocker cover in my 1994 Impreza?


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which side is that? looks like the drivers side - hose and oil dipstick tube?

 

good news is this is not a head gasket problem or the signs of anything significant.

 

it's most likely the cam cap oring or seal. the orings are extremely brittle and leak like a seive at this point.

 

these are best replaced with a timing belt job, so just wait until your next one or if it starts leaking really bad. the cam seal and cam cap oring both require the timing belt to be removed to get to them.

 

it's really best to do everything at once - timing belt, cam seals, cam oring, oil pump reseal and at your age a water pump replacement. also a good idea to replace all the timing belt pulleys, ebay timing kits are only $80 or so. great deal.

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here are some better photos:

 

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/3082/copyofdscn2602yi3.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/241/copyofdscn2594am4.jpg

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/530/copyofdscn2597yx7.jpg

 

 

im not sure but, it looks like it isn't coming from the rocker cover gasket to me?

I don't really know what im talking about but the photos should help.

 

 

...i think it is the head gasket? am I right?

Edited by sub_dont_touch
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how many miles? ej18 and ej22 are very very similar, i would not suspect the head gasket. yours is a right hand drive, so the oil fill spout is on the passenger side. or more correctly for us in the usa, the passenger side is on the left side of the car. i'd check the bolts and gasket for it.

 

rocker covers look good. could also be cam seal. pull the timing cover on that side and look for oil at the cam shaft / sprocket.

 

head gasket problems are rare.

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Head Gasget is fine, that leak is coming from behind the timing cover, Most likely a cam seal. You need to address this as soon as you can because oil on the timing belt will cause the belt to weaken and break. Do what Grossgary said and have all those bits replaced and you will be good for another 100,000 miles:)

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make sure you replace the seal and the oring. the orings are extremely brittle and hard plastic by now.

 

if the timing covers are in good shape not much oil should get on the belt. but if it does, definitely replace the belt while yo'ure in there. i had oil get on a belt two summers ago of a friends car. the new belt lasted a couple months.

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