Leaking oil- PCV related?

cproo12 · 11-03-2022, 08:55 PM

Hello, it has been almost a year since I rebuilt my heads (fully rebuilt valvetrain, all new valves, etc) and I just noticed an oil leak!

Pictures: (may have to fiddle with link since the forums image hosting is STILL broken...)
https://imgur.com/a/CAaddd2

Ignore all the other garbage wrong with this Subaru like the ****ty exhaust, rust, dirt, etc. I drive this daily and it has 205,000 miles.

I noticed leaking from the timing cover (cam seals) AND valve covers, so welp, must be that my PCV valve (who knows when last replaced) is stuck open and I'm boosting the crankcase, so I pulled the PCV and blew into it- passed the test fine. Shaking it can hear it easily moving back and forth. I replaced it anyways but I don't think that was the problem.

Anyways, is there anything else that would cause all my gaskets to leak like this???

I figure it could just be me being braindead when I rebuilt (it was my first ever rebuild) but I 3d printed a tool for the cam seals, and I followed factory service manual on valve covers. The leak is slow, but it is still there.

Any direction helps!

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KillerBMotorsport · 11-04-2022, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cproo12

it has 205,000 miles.

^ this might be your answer.

I'd start with a compression and leak-down test. Let's know if you have any excessive blow-by or valves not sealing correctly before chasing your tail down every seal and gasket rabbit hole.

cproo12 · 11-04-2022, 09:34 AM

Yeah that's what I'm worried about

You're saying it could be rings wearing down, right? I don't have my compression tester with me but is there another good way to check? There is a pretty good amount of air coming out of the oil fill at idle- but I don't know what is "normal".

I do have an extra ej25 complete shortblock from an 06 STi, but definitely needs some machine shop love. Would be easier to rebuild that then drop it in on a weekend since I daily drive this forester and I work out of a parking lot

rtv900 · 11-04-2022, 09:39 AM

Why are you worried about that? Is it leaving a puddle, or even a drop under the car or it just kind of oil soaked underneath?
It's a daily with 200k plus miles and I'm guessing it still runs fine right? since you didn't say you are having operating problems

cproo12 · 11-04-2022, 10:57 AM

Hard to say as if it is dripping it would just burn on the manifold.

Worried about it because I don't want my car to leak oil? I don't think I'm being a perfectionist by worrying about all my oil seals leaking haha. Especially since I just rebuilt it a year ago.

I've driven much worse- just don't want this leak to get any bigger.

cproo12 · 11-04-2022, 10:58 AM

Hard to say as if it is dripping it would just burn on the manifold.

Worried about it because I don't want my car to leak oil? I don't think I'm being a perfectionist by worrying about all my oil seals leaking haha. Especially since I just rebuilt it a year ago.

I've driven much worse- just don't want this leak to get any bigger.

rtv900 · 11-04-2022, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cproo12

Hard to say as if it is dripping it would just burn on the manifold.

Worried about it because I don't want my car to leak oil? I don't think I'm being a perfectionist by worrying about all my oil seals leaking haha. Especially since I just rebuilt it a year ago.

I've driven much worse- just don't want this leak to get any bigger.

no I get that. I have a 1950 truck leaking from the rear main crank seal and it's annoying to me.
BUUUUUUUT, there's no way in hell I'm doing the amount of disassembly to pull that engine and separate the trans to get to that seal.
Not annoying enough for that.

But if it's worth a lot of work to you sure.
was just curious

Max Capacity · 11-05-2022, 03:44 PM

Throw a piece of cardboard under where you park the car and see if your getting oil dripping onto it. If not, at this age I would not worry about it, just keep the oil level topped off.

11-03-2022, 08:55 PM	#1
cproo12 Scooby Newbie Member#: 520219 Join Date: Nov 2020 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Michigan, USA Vehicle: 2006 Forester XT 5mt Crystal Grey Metallic	Leaking oil- PCV related? Hello, it has been almost a year since I rebuilt my heads (fully rebuilt valvetrain, all new valves, etc) and I just noticed an oil leak! Pictures: (may have to fiddle with link since the forums image hosting is STILL broken...) https://imgur.com/a/CAaddd2 Ignore all the other garbage wrong with this Subaru like the ***ty exhaust, rust, dirt, etc. I drive this daily and it has 205,000 miles. I noticed leaking from the timing cover (cam seals) AND valve covers, so welp, must be that my PCV valve (who knows when last replaced) is stuck open and I'm boosting the crankcase, so I pulled the PCV and blew into it- passed the test fine. Shaking it can hear it easily moving back and forth. I replaced it anyways but I don't think that was the problem. Anyways, is there anything else that would cause all my gaskets to leak like this??? I figure it could just be me being braindead when I rebuilt (it was my first ever rebuild) but I 3d printed a tool for the cam seals, and I followed factory service manual on valve covers. The leak is slow, but it is still there. Any direction helps! Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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11-04-2022, 09:34 AM	#3
cproo12 Scooby Newbie Member#: 520219 Join Date: Nov 2020 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Michigan, USA Vehicle: 2006 Forester XT 5mt Crystal Grey Metallic	Yeah that's what I'm worried about You're saying it could be rings wearing down, right? I don't have my compression tester with me but is there another good way to check? There is a pretty good amount of air coming out of the oil fill at idle- but I don't know what is "normal". I do have an extra ej25 complete shortblock from an 06 STi, but definitely needs some machine shop love. Would be easier to rebuild that then drop it in on a weekend since I daily drive this forester and I work out of a parking lot

11-04-2022, 09:39 AM	#4
rtv900 Scooby Guru Member#: 428511 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: philadelphia Vehicle: 2016 STI	Why are you worried about that? Is it leaving a puddle, or even a drop under the car or it just kind of oil soaked underneath? It's a daily with 200k plus miles and I'm guessing it still runs fine right? since you didn't say you are having operating problems

11-04-2022, 10:57 AM	#5
cproo12 Scooby Newbie Member#: 520219 Join Date: Nov 2020 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Michigan, USA Vehicle: 2006 Forester XT 5mt Crystal Grey Metallic	Hard to say as if it is dripping it would just burn on the manifold. Worried about it because I don't want my car to leak oil? I don't think I'm being a perfectionist by worrying about all my oil seals leaking haha. Especially since I just rebuilt it a year ago. I've driven much worse- just don't want this leak to get any bigger.

11-04-2022, 10:58 AM	#6
cproo12 Scooby Newbie Member#: 520219 Join Date: Nov 2020 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Michigan, USA Vehicle: 2006 Forester XT 5mt Crystal Grey Metallic	Hard to say as if it is dripping it would just burn on the manifold. Worried about it because I don't want my car to leak oil? I don't think I'm being a perfectionist by worrying about all my oil seals leaking haha. Especially since I just rebuilt it a year ago. I've driven much worse- just don't want this leak to get any bigger.

11-05-2022, 03:44 PM	#8
Max Capacity Scooby Specialist Member#: 149347 Join Date: May 2007 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Tolland, CT Vehicle: 05 LGT ,09 SpecB Black/silver	Throw a piece of cardboard under where you park the car and see if your getting oil dripping onto it. If not, at this age I would not worry about it, just keep the oil level topped off.