Burning oil smell....help!

WRC1 · 06-28-2005, 04:37 PM

Im burning oil (not in the combustion chamber but oil is dripping onto the hot exhaust and/or engine block. Every time I stop or park in my garage it smells like burning oil. Im not sure were its coming from, the oil pan is pretty clean, i just did valve cover gaskets and spark plug O-rings, what else can it be? The oil looks is manly dripping off the cross member onto my swaybar then dripping onto the exhaust.

Is it a leaky separator plate? Is there anyway to make sure it is the separator plate before I drop the tranny and realize thats not the problem? If it is the separator plate is there anything else i should do while i have the tranny off?

~Leor

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

germanturbo · 06-28-2005, 06:59 PM

I don't know anything about a seperator plate. 1st I'd check to make sure replaced valve cover gaskets don't leak. Look around them completely w/a mirror. Also pay attention to little rubber grommet / washer things you should have received with new valve cover gaskets.

Next most likely scenario is cam & crank front seals. Go out at about 100k / 8 or 10 yr interval. leak like crazy! diagnosed this prob w/wife's car by thoroughly pressure cleaning bottom of engine, then checking back a few days later to see where it was coming from. I was initially convinced it was a rear main, but turned out to be front seals where oil would drip from t belt cover while driving & be blown back onto exh, crossmember, etc.

Also as last resort maybe rear main seal? ours leaks a little but i don't feel like fixing until it leaks a bunch.

goodluck

WRC1 · 06-28-2005, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by germanturbo

I don't know anything about a seperator plate. 1st I'd check to make sure replaced valve cover gaskets don't leak. Look around them completely w/a mirror. Also pay attention to little rubber grommet / washer things you should have received with new valve cover gaskets.

Next most likely scenario is cam & crank front seals. Go out at about 100k / 8 or 10 yr interval. leak like crazy! diagnosed this prob w/wife's car by thoroughly pressure cleaning bottom of engine, then checking back a few days later to see where it was coming from. I was initially convinced it was a rear main, but turned out to be front seals where oil would drip from t belt cover while driving & be blown back onto exh, crossmember, etc.

Also as last resort maybe rear main seal? ours leaks a little but i don't feel like fixing until it leaks a bunch.

goodluck

Thanks, already checked the valve cover gasket and its completely fine. Ill check the front seal but i highly dought thats it, there is no oil on the bottom front of the engine. To replace a main seal id need to take off the tranny and flywheel to get to it right?

~leor

2003Baja · 06-28-2005, 07:43 PM

I had the same problem! My oil drain plug seal wasent/isnt doing its job. Oil is leaking ony header and burning off

GFimpreza · 06-28-2005, 09:05 PM

I'm willing to bet its a crank or oil pump seal...its a common Subaru problem.

Your description of the oil covered header is exactly what happened to me...I finally got tired of having smoke envelope the car when at a stop and replaced the seals.

The parts are really cheap, but you're gonna have to take your timing belt and related crap off to access the seals...have fun.

-Lyle

WRC1 · 06-29-2005, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GFimpreza

I'm willing to bet its a crank or oil pump seal...its a common Subaru problem.

Your description of the oil covered header is exactly what happened to me...I finally got tired of having smoke envelope the car when at a stop and replaced the seals.

The parts are really cheap, but you're gonna have to take your timing belt and related crap off to access the seals...have fun.

-Lyle

Were exactly is the oil pump (Ive done a lot of work on my brothers porsche and my friends honda but i barely know my way around my own engine bay

) ? and by crank seal you mean the rear (main) seal right? and if so does that involve dropping the tranny?

~Leor

GFimpreza · 06-29-2005, 08:14 PM

The front end of the crank goes through the oil pump...or should I say the oil pump is directly behind the crank pulley. There are both a front and rear seal, im pretty sure.

With my car, I could see that oil was dripping down from the front of the engine, so I knew it was the oil pump. If you have the same problem, you will need to buy an oil seal which seats into the oil pump, and a little oil pump o-ring.

I've never replaced a rear oil seal, but by looking at the service manual, it looks like you'd probably have to drop the tranny.

Charlie-III · 07-06-2005, 12:28 AM

To do the rear crank seal or the oil seperator plate, you need to drop the trans and pull the flywheel.

SOA used the plastic oil seperator plate for a couple of years before going back to the aluminum one. The plastic ones leak over time.

So, I would pull front timing covers and clean things up real well. Go driving and check for leaks. These seals are the easiest to replace.
Also the oil pump can leak, but you can still see it.

Rear crank seals and oil seperator plate leaks are harder to see.

subenick · 07-26-2005, 02:42 PM

anybody have the part number for the metal or plastic oil seperator plate?
thanks

06-28-2005, 04:37 PM	#1
WRC1 Scooby Specialist Member#: 47803 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles, Ca/Madison, Wi Vehicle: 2000 Impreza 2.5 RS Blue Ridge Pearl	Burning oil smell....help! Im burning oil (not in the combustion chamber but oil is dripping onto the hot exhaust and/or engine block. Every time I stop or park in my garage it smells like burning oil. Im not sure were its coming from, the oil pan is pretty clean, i just did valve cover gaskets and spark plug O-rings, what else can it be? The oil looks is manly dripping off the cross member onto my swaybar then dripping onto the exhaust. Is it a leaky separator plate? Is there anyway to make sure it is the separator plate before I drop the tranny and realize thats not the problem? If it is the separator plate is there anything else i should do while i have the tranny off? ~Leor * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

06-29-2005, 08:14 PM	#7
GFimpreza Scooby Newbie Member#: 40674 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Los Angeles Vehicle: 94 Impreza wagon 1.8L + 657cc's	The front end of the crank goes through the oil pump...or should I say the oil pump is directly behind the crank pulley. There are both a front and rear seal, im pretty sure. With my car, I could see that oil was dripping down from the front of the engine, so I knew it was the oil pump. If you have the same problem, you will need to buy an oil seal which seats into the oil pump, and a little oil pump o-ring. I've never replaced a rear oil seal, but by looking at the service manual, it looks like you'd probably have to drop the tranny. Last edited by GFimpreza; 06-29-2005 at 08:20 PM.

07-26-2005, 02:42 PM	#9
subenick Scooby Newbie Member#: 48968 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: montreal Vehicle: 1999 impreza 2.5RS silver	part number anybody have the part number for the metal or plastic oil seperator plate? thanks

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
burning oil smell after oil change	happs subi	Factory 2.0L Turbo Powertrain	17	12-02-2009 12:37 PM
HELP!!! burning oil smell, turbo smoking?	mattarmada	Service & Maintenance	5	10-14-2009 12:40 AM
Burning Oil Smell	Scooby2	Newbies & FAQs	9	03-22-2007 02:53 PM
burning oil smell after oil change?	wrxinfx	Service & Maintenance	4	12-12-2001 09:13 AM

06-28-2005, 06:59 PM	#2
germanturbo Scooby Newbie Member#: 54709 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NW AR Vehicle: 1995 IMPREZA 1.8 4WD	I don't know anything about a seperator plate. 1st I'd check to make sure replaced valve cover gaskets don't leak. Look around them completely w/a mirror. Also pay attention to little rubber grommet / washer things you should have received with new valve cover gaskets. Next most likely scenario is cam & crank front seals. Go out at about 100k / 8 or 10 yr interval. leak like crazy! diagnosed this prob w/wife's car by thoroughly pressure cleaning bottom of engine, then checking back a few days later to see where it was coming from. I was initially convinced it was a rear main, but turned out to be front seals where oil would drip from t belt cover while driving & be blown back onto exh, crossmember, etc. Also as last resort maybe rear main seal? ours leaks a little but i don't feel like fixing until it leaks a bunch. goodluck

06-28-2005, 07:43 PM	#4
2003Baja Scooby Newbie Member#: 52985 Join Date: Jan 2004 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Pennsylvania	I had the same problem! My oil drain plug seal wasent/isnt doing its job. Oil is leaking ony header and burning off

06-28-2005, 09:05 PM	#5
GFimpreza Scooby Newbie Member#: 40674 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Los Angeles Vehicle: 94 Impreza wagon 1.8L + 657cc's	I'm willing to bet its a crank or oil pump seal...its a common Subaru problem. Your description of the oil covered header is exactly what happened to me...I finally got tired of having smoke envelope the car when at a stop and replaced the seals. The parts are really cheap, but you're gonna have to take your timing belt and related crap off to access the seals...have fun. -Lyle

07-06-2005, 12:28 AM	#8
Charlie-III Scooby Specialist Member#: 30669 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: 07456, North NJ Vehicle: 1998 Legacy 2.5GT Silver Sleeper Wagon	To do the rear crank seal or the oil seperator plate, you need to drop the trans and pull the flywheel. SOA used the plastic oil seperator plate for a couple of years before going back to the aluminum one. The plastic ones leak over time. So, I would pull front timing covers and clean things up real well. Go driving and check for leaks. These seals are the easiest to replace. Also the oil pump can leak, but you can still see it. Rear crank seals and oil seperator plate leaks are harder to see.