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Oil gasket leak

Tiny
ZM8XAJLT
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 SUBARU FORESTER
  • 2.1L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
I have a timing gasket oil leak, can I use oil leak stop or will that result in further problems? If that isn't an option will replacing the gasket require the engine to be pulled? How long can I go without repairs? Will I be okay as long as I keep oil in the vehicle?
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Wednesday, July 1st, 2020 AT 4:15 AM

12 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

Never, ever use stop leak. First, it never works and second, it will damage all the other seals with the additives it has in the product.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-is-leaking-oil

The front cover will have to be removed and the seal replaced.

No, the engine does not have to be removed. It is a major job but does not require the engine to be removed.

Yes, it will be okay as long as you keep oil in it but the leaking oil will get on the hot engine components and give you smoke and smells.

Roy

Chain Cover

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REMOVAL

NOTE:
When replacing a single part, perform the work with the engine assembly installed to body.

1) When working on the vehicle

NOTE:
When working on the vehicle, perform the following steps also.

(1) Remove the radiator.
(2) Remove the front exhaust pipe.
(3) Remove the bolts which secure the generator cord stay to the chain cover.

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(4) Remove the power steering pump.

1. Remove the V-belts.
2. Remove the generator.
3. Disconnect the connector from power steering pump switch.

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4. Remove the power steering pump from the engine.

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5. Place the power steering pump on the right side wheel apron.
2) Drain the engine oil.
3) Remove the water pump pulley.
4) Remove the crank pulley.
5) Remove the engine harness stay from the chain cover.

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6) Disconnect the connector (A) from the oil control solenoid RH, and the connector (B) from the camshaft position sensor RH, and remove the clip (C) and clip (D) which secure the engine harness.

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7) Remove the rubber cap from the oil pressure switch.

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8) Disconnect the terminal (A) from the oil pressure switch, and connector (B) from the engine oil temperature sensor, and connector (C) from the oil control solenoid LH, and connector (D) from the camshaft position sensor LH, and remove the clip (E) and clip (F) which secure the engine harness.

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9) Pull out the oil level gauge (A), and remove the oil level gauge guide (B) and idler pulley (C).

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10) Remove the chain cover.

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11) Remove the O-rings from cylinder head RH, cylinder head LH, cylinder block LH and oil pan upper.
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Wednesday, July 1st, 2020 AT 4:54 AM
Tiny
ZM8XAJLT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Thank you for your reply. Were all those removal steps you listed whats involved to fix the gasket leak? How much (ball park) would it cost to have the gasket replaced?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 12:24 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Yes, that was the removal process.

As far as price, the book pays around 6 hours. That would be around $625.00 to $650.00 in labor plus about $40.00 in parts.

Roy
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 AT 5:19 AM
Tiny
PJ SCHMIDT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 SUBARU FORESTER
  • 4 CYL
  • AWD
  • MANUAL
  • 104,000 MILES
Hi, I have a 2005 Subaru Forester XT (Turbo) with a standard transmission and 104,000 miles. The Turbo comes with an air scoop on the hood of the engine. About 6-7 weeks ago while waiting in traffic for a light to change, I smelled burning and thought it was from the exhaust of the car in front of me, then saw smoke coming out the air scoop on the hood. Several attempts by a Subaru dealership to figure out what is causing the smoke have not fixed it, although they talked me into spending $1,000 to replace the timing belt while the engine was opened up to find and repair the supposed leak. But they never repaired the problem. It only smokes at certain, now predictable times, while waiting in traffic, after about a half hour of city traffic.I live in the mountains and the car does fine until I get to the city and have to wait at lights, etc. It seems to come from the area of the turbo itself. As if oil is leaking and dripping onto the super-hot turbo. Is this common? Is there something I should be looking for or directing a mechanic to do? It make me quite nervous to drive it, knowing that it is getting so hot that it smokes. Seems possible it could catch on fire. Thanks for your time and input.
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STRAIGHTAXLE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
First of it good you did the timing belts and you got a pretty good deal.
When it is steaming/smoking does it smell sweet? Did the dealership pressurize the system?
Let me know and I may have a good idea of what is happening.
I have an 04 wrx turbo
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SCOTTYDOGG
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2003 SUBARU FORESTER
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
Hello my wife's car is leaking a little oil around the oil filter. I changed the oil cooler o ring and it is still leaking oil. Do you think the oil cooler should be replaced or could it be something else? Thanks for all your expert advice.
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Ensure that the swal is correct and it is fitted correctly it may have been pinched or rolled when installed, if all looks ok, you may a problem with the cooler, or the filter seal. Wash and run the engine, you should be able to see which seal is leaking, if it is the filter it will be running back over the cooler if the cooler it will be running down the block have a look and see if you can determine the leaking area.
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PABOKI
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2002 SUBARU FORESTER
  • 4 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 76,500 MILES
Did 75000 mile maint on this
tech said its leakin oil from head gasket

this is a sohc engin I think in 2002 foresters
are these prone to head gasket trbl
if I replace the gasket, should I replace all gaskets and seals also.
Tech said the take the motor aot anyway.

It will be about $1800.00

thank you
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
How much oil does it loose per 1000 miles? I might wait until it got to a quart or so. Any overheating problems? And make sure it's the head gasket and not the valve cover gasket.
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PABOKI
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Not very much oil per 1000 mi
no overheating
tec said its the head gasket
asked about valve covers, said its the head gasket

hope the head isn't craked tho

tnks
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PABOKI
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I just think that if they have to pull the motor anyway
i should replacec all gaskets, seals, oil separator, so i
won't have to worry about gaskets or seals for a long time.

Are these foresters motors prone to head gasket problems?

Its a 4 cyl sohc engin I think

thanks
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Not sure about it's reputation for that, But if it were me, and it's not going thru oil, I'd leave it alone.
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)

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