Oil pooling on top of passenger side head

ScoobieRex2.0 · 01-28-2013, 08:04 PM

I have a pretty bad oil leak right under the intake manifold between the power steering pump and pcv. It is not turbo related. I replaced the crush washers to the oil feed and return line hose thinking that would be the problem. Still pools of oil on top of the passenger side block/head. The oil galley seems fine so does the PCV. No coolant in the oil or sludge, typical head gasket symptoms... The motor has about 200 miles on the rebuild. Pretty posotive head gaskets weren't put in backwards. Anywhere else it can b leaking?

***Fixed***
- Oil temp sender not tightened.

Currently facing another problem though. The car smokes like mad at idle. It's definitely oil and add cent amount is being consumed. The car doesn't seem to be making less power, but oil pressure seems a little low. I just want to know what causes burning oil and smoking at idle only.

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woodys77 · 01-28-2013, 08:26 PM

When I put my built engine in one of the rubber breather line couplers split when I slid it on the block and did the same thing your describing.

sidewayz · 01-28-2013, 09:14 PM

Ps pump leak. Rear housing orings die and piss all over the top of the head... Common. $30 gets a seal kit from Subaru

Patrick Olsen · 01-28-2013, 09:19 PM

^^^ That's what I was thinking, too.

Md05STI · 01-28-2013, 09:44 PM

Is it slightly in front of the intake manifold? If so check the stock oil pressure sending unit.

BoostLeak · 01-28-2013, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidewayz

Ps pump leak. Rear housing orings die and piss all over the top of the head... Common. $30 gets a seal kit from Subaru

Do you know the part number for this seal kit?

ScoobieRex2.0 · 01-28-2013, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidewayz

Ps pump leak. Rear housing orings die and piss all over the top of the head... Common. $30 gets a seal kit from Subaru

It's oil not PS fluid. It goes from the back of the block by the oil galley plug to the front between the ps pump and alternator. Where is the oil sending unit? In the front near the alternator? Trying to get a good idea where to look before I pull the intake manifold.

Md05STI · 01-28-2013, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScoobieRex2.0

It's oil not PS fluid. It goes from the back of the block by the oil galley plug to the front between the ps pump and alternator. Where is the oil sending unit? In the front near the alternator? Trying to get a good idea where to look before I pull the intake manifold.

Its kinda hidden behind the PS pump and in front of the intake manfiold. When mine leaked it ran all the way back down the backside of the block it was so bad.

ScoobieRex2.0 · 01-28-2013, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Md05STI

Its kinda hidden behind the PS pump and in front of the intake manfiold. When mine leaked it ran all the way back down the backside of the block it was so bad.

Remove PS pump to access or will the manifold need to be lifted as well?

sidewayz · 01-28-2013, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScoobieRex2.0

It's oil not PS fluid. It goes from the back of the block by the oil galley plug to the front between the ps pump and alternator. Where is the oil sending unit? In the front near the alternator? Trying to get a good idea where to look before I pull the intake manifold.

You would be surprised how a p/s pump leak mimics an oil leak. How are you sure it's not ps fluid? Dirty ps fluid looks like oil...

manys · 01-29-2013, 12:55 AM

clean the existing oil, start the car and look for the leak until you see where it's coming from.

Sounds stupid but it's better than guessing

ScoobieRex2.0 · 01-29-2013, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manys

clean the existing oil, start the car and look for the leak until you see where it's coming from.

Sounds stupid but it's better than guessing

Doesnt sound stupid... Its been cold as hell out and I didn't want to spend more time then I had to out there. Helps alot when you know where to look.

I believe I have found my leak... It was rather warm out today and decided to go out and check it out more thoroughly. Removed the alternator and sure enough I found the oil sender unit to be fairly loose. I moved quite freely with a crecent wrench. I tightened it up a bit and now crossing my fingers.
Thanks MD05STI for the help and advice

matts · 01-29-2013, 01:23 PM

Has anyone had issues sealing the valve covers? I have an issue with the passenger side only. I am on the second gasket, and still have seepage all around the cover. Any pointers on getting this to stop would be greatly appreciated. It is an extremely small amount but it kinda stinks dripping on the uppipe

. Im gonna pick up another gasket today.

ScoobieRex2.0 · 01-29-2013, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matts

Has anyone had issues sealing the valve covers? I have an issue with the passenger side only. I am on the second gasket, and still have seepage all around the cover. Any pointers on getting this to stop would be greatly appreciated. It is an extremely small amount but it kinda stinks dripping on the uppipe

. Im gonna pick up another gasket today.

Thanks for thread jacking

Make sure your mating surfaces are completely cleaned and free of oil. Apply light coat of specified gasket sealer. Make sure your half moons are not loose (if they are they should get gasket sealer as well). Try and use new bolt cover washers. I dont believe gasket sealer is neccessary for the spark plug o-rings. Lastly make sure your gaskets are on correctly

matts · 01-29-2013, 02:05 PM

Sorry it looked like a good place to put it.

Thats what I tried to do last time. I dont believe my motor has the half moons you spoke of, and no washers. The bolts are flanged. I may have gotten a bad gasket twice

. I tried with and without sealant. I will try again with. The manual says no sealant.

Thanks for the reply.

Fatboy Walrus · 02-02-2013, 01:43 PM

Is there a good chance the PS is leaking all the way to the back of the engine, passenger side?

01-28-2013, 08:04 PM	#1
ScoobieRex2.0 Scooby Newbie Member#: 310009 Join Date: Feb 2012 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: CT Vehicle: 03 WRX MBP	Oil pooling on top of passenger side head I have a pretty bad oil leak right under the intake manifold between the power steering pump and pcv. It is not turbo related. I replaced the crush washers to the oil feed and return line hose thinking that would be the problem. Still pools of oil on top of the passenger side block/head. The oil galley seems fine so does the PCV. No coolant in the oil or sludge, typical head gasket symptoms... The motor has about 200 miles on the rebuild. Pretty posotive head gaskets weren't put in backwards. Anywhere else it can b leaking? *Fixed* - Oil temp sender not tightened. Currently facing another problem though. The car smokes like mad at idle. It's definitely oil and add cent amount is being consumed. The car doesn't seem to be making less power, but oil pressure seems a little low. I just want to know what causes burning oil and smoking at idle only. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads. Last edited by ScoobieRex2.0; 02-20-2013 at 09:34 PM.

02-02-2013, 01:43 PM	#16
Fatboy Walrus Scooby Newbie Member#: 340333 Join Date: Dec 2012 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Minnesota Vehicle: 1997 Impreza OBS 2.2 Blue	Is there a good chance the PS is leaking all the way to the back of the engine, passenger side? Last edited by Fatboy Walrus; 04-03-2013 at 08:25 PM.

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01-28-2013, 08:26 PM	#2
woodys77 Scooby Specialist Member#: 192147 Join Date: Oct 2008 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Maine Vehicle: 2007 STI EfiLogics 422whp 421wtq fpgreen	When I put my built engine in one of the rubber breather line couplers split when I slid it on the block and did the same thing your describing.

01-28-2013, 09:14 PM	#3
sidewayz Scooby Specialist Member#: 5810 Join Date: Apr 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Easton PA Vehicle: 2001 S366 2.5RS	Ps pump leak. Rear housing orings die and piss all over the top of the head... Common. $30 gets a seal kit from Subaru

01-28-2013, 09:19 PM	#4
Patrick Olsen NASIOC Supporter Member#: 120 Join Date: Jul 1999 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Where the Navy sends me... Vehicle: 1997 Legacy 2.5GT QuickSilver Metallic	^^^ That's what I was thinking, too.

01-28-2013, 09:44 PM	#5
Md05STI Scooby Specialist Member#: 76974 Join Date: Dec 2004 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Hagerstown, MD Vehicle: 2005 CGM STI 10.03 @ 135	Is it slightly in front of the intake manifold? If so check the stock oil pressure sending unit.

01-29-2013, 12:55 AM	#11
manys Scooby Specialist Member#: 265277 Join Date: Nov 2010 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Chicago Vehicle: 2002 18g Hybrid Black on black	clean the existing oil, start the car and look for the leak until you see where it's coming from. Sounds stupid but it's better than guessing

01-29-2013, 01:23 PM	#13
matts Scooby Newbie Member#: 322939 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: midwest Vehicle: 10 WRX 96 LSi	Has anyone had issues sealing the valve covers? I have an issue with the passenger side only. I am on the second gasket, and still have seepage all around the cover. Any pointers on getting this to stop would be greatly appreciated. It is an extremely small amount but it kinda stinks dripping on the uppipe . Im gonna pick up another gasket today.

01-29-2013, 02:05 PM	#15
matts Scooby Newbie Member#: 322939 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: midwest Vehicle: 10 WRX 96 LSi	Sorry it looked like a good place to put it. Thats what I tried to do last time. I dont believe my motor has the half moons you spoke of, and no washers. The bolts are flanged. I may have gotten a bad gasket twice . I tried with and without sealant. I will try again with. The manual says no sealant. Thanks for the reply.