when do subaru engines typically begin to burn oil?

RaceCarRiot · 09-05-2001, 04:05 PM

i realize most everyone on here has a car that's only a couple years old, but maybe...hopefully someone can answer...

my '94 has almost 96,000mi on it, and after running up to gainesville, i stopped, got out, and smelled a smell i haven't smelled since i owned my old VW...

BURNING OIL.

aaaaaaaaaa!

anyway, it was after running on the freeway in hot weather for about 2 hours straight...averaging about 80-85, so i was probably turning 3500-3700rpm.

i've always run mobil 1 10w30 ever since i bought the car, and never had a problem with the car using oil. i checked the level after the car sat overnight, and it didn't seem to be using any. still runs smooooooooooth, and my gas mileage is still fine.

my engine has a LOT of highway grime on it that built up from the previous owner...could this be getting hot enough to burn off, and give off a smell that's remarkably similar to an engine burning oil?

(adam)

RS ING · 09-05-2001, 06:15 PM

Quote:

my engine has a LOT of highway grime on it that built up from the previous owner...could this be getting hot enough to burn off, and give off a smell that's remarkably similar to an engine burning oil?

There is one way for certain to find out if this is the smell. Go to a car deaer and ask who does their detailing/engine steam cleaning. I know the local Acura dealer's guy only wants $30 for a steam cleaning of the under carriage and engine. Good money spent in my mind plus it makes it easier on future repairs or resale value. Frank

mts3 · 09-05-2001, 06:52 PM

Is your car burning oil inside the engine (blue smoke from the tailpipe) or is oil getting onto the exhaust pipes and smoking (from under the hood)?

I have a 95 Impreza (1.8L as well). When the cam seals under the timing cover began to seep, they leaked and sprayed onto the exhaust pipes, causing a terrible smell and smoke. It's been 18000 miles since this was fixed, and the smell is still there although the car leaks no more. Check the underside of your engine for oil, especially that from the timing cover.

If you are referring to burning oil inside the engine... can't help you there. Mine has 134000 miles on it and does not burn a drop between changes that I can tell.

Tyson

RaceCarRiot · 09-06-2001, 09:44 AM

nope, nothing from the tailpipe, and no smoke from under the hood.

guess i'll look around for someone to steam clean it, or bust out the simple green this weekend...

Foxbat · 09-06-2001, 10:15 AM

Both my '97 OBS and '98 OB had oil pump seal leak at around 40k to 50k miles. Get my dealer fixed both under warranty.

And your car does not sound like burning oil. It's rather leaking oil. And from what I heard, all Subarus leak oil sooner or later. Has something to do with boxer engine design.

Foxbat

travman733 · 09-06-2001, 06:23 PM

Hm...my '93 with 122k has never leaked a drop.

Kachukaa · 09-06-2001, 07:30 PM

I'm leaking oil from the crankcase, any of you guys now how much damage $$$ this is going to do to the bank account. Just had to fix the clutch and now I got an oil leak.

annointed · 09-07-2001, 02:10 AM

Foxbat, that's what happened to my old L engine last year, when it was at 140k miles. I'm surprised it happened to your Subees at such a young age.

09-05-2001, 04:05 PM	#1
RaceCarRiot Scooby Specialist Member#: 6542 Join Date: May 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: waxfang.net Vehicle: 2002 Honda Civic Si 2007 Aprilia SR50 Factory	when do subaru engines typically begin to burn oil? i realize most everyone on here has a car that's only a couple years old, but maybe...hopefully someone can answer... my '94 has almost 96,000mi on it, and after running up to gainesville, i stopped, got out, and smelled a smell i haven't smelled since i owned my old VW... BURNING OIL. aaaaaaaaaa! anyway, it was after running on the freeway in hot weather for about 2 hours straight...averaging about 80-85, so i was probably turning 3500-3700rpm. i've always run mobil 1 10w30 ever since i bought the car, and never had a problem with the car using oil. i checked the level after the car sat overnight, and it didn't seem to be using any. still runs smooooooooooth, and my gas mileage is still fine. my engine has a LOT of highway grime on it that built up from the previous owner...could this be getting hot enough to burn off, and give off a smell that's remarkably similar to an engine burning oil? (adam)

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09-05-2001, 06:52 PM	#3
mts3 Scooby Newbie Member#: 9388 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Mississippi Vehicle: 1995 Impreza L AWD hunter green	Is your car burning oil inside the engine (blue smoke from the tailpipe) or is oil getting onto the exhaust pipes and smoking (from under the hood)? I have a 95 Impreza (1.8L as well). When the cam seals under the timing cover began to seep, they leaked and sprayed onto the exhaust pipes, causing a terrible smell and smoke. It's been 18000 miles since this was fixed, and the smell is still there although the car leaks no more. Check the underside of your engine for oil, especially that from the timing cover. If you are referring to burning oil inside the engine... can't help you there. Mine has 134000 miles on it and does not burn a drop between changes that I can tell. Tyson

09-06-2001, 09:44 AM	#4
RaceCarRiot Scooby Specialist Member#: 6542 Join Date: May 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: waxfang.net Vehicle: 2002 Honda Civic Si 2007 Aprilia SR50 Factory	nope, nothing from the tailpipe, and no smoke from under the hood. guess i'll look around for someone to steam clean it, or bust out the simple green this weekend...

09-06-2001, 10:15 AM	#5
Foxbat Scooby Specialist Member#: 654 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Fairfax, VA Vehicle: 2003 WRX, Silver '08 Tribeca, Brown	Both my '97 OBS and '98 OB had oil pump seal leak at around 40k to 50k miles. Get my dealer fixed both under warranty. And your car does not sound like burning oil. It's rather leaking oil. And from what I heard, all Subarus leak oil sooner or later. Has something to do with boxer engine design. Foxbat

09-06-2001, 06:23 PM	#6
travman733 Scooby Specialist Member#: 5649 Join Date: Apr 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Kalamazoo, MI Vehicle: 2002 WRX wgn bl stg2 (sold)'93 Impreza L Sedan	Hm...my '93 with 122k has never leaked a drop.

09-06-2001, 07:30 PM	#7
Kachukaa Scooby Newbie Member#: 2527 Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Richmond, VA Vehicle: 1997 Legacy 2.5GT Quicksilver Metallic	I'm leaking oil from the crankcase, any of you guys now how much damage $$$ this is going to do to the bank account. Just had to fix the clutch and now I got an oil leak.

09-07-2001, 02:10 AM	#8
annointed NASIOC Supporter Member#: 5960 Join Date: Apr 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Atlantic City, NJ Vehicle: FXT 340 whp 20g'd NSX 385 whp SC'd	Foxbat, that's what happened to my old L engine last year, when it was at 140k miles. I'm surprised it happened to your Subees at such a young age.