2000 Outback "Smokey" undercarriage

[Mike Hardiman]

Hi folks,

I've noticed after the past month or so the smell of exhaust coming from the
undercarriage of my 2000 Outback (60k miles), usually noticeable after
driving long distance, or while driving off-road, then coming to a stop.
Recently, I noticed fumes coming from the exhaust system underneath the car,
from a part of the system which I believe to be the rear catalytic
converter, according to this WRX diagram:

http://www.mattrandolph.com/wrx/wrx-exhaust.gif

I've been using the air conditioning constantly over the past few months,
but can't necessarily link running the AC to this problem. I have noticed
that while at idle with the AC on, there is no smell or fumes, and the AC
drips condensation forward of, and to the right from the rear catalytic
converter.

My initial thoughts was that the smell was "smoldering dirt" clining to the
hot undercarriage, now I'm wondering if the AC condensation isn't being
deflected at high speeds and running down the hot exhaust pipes, causing the
steam. Or, there is a leak somewhere in the exhaust system. I have my
doubts about a leak since the engine does not sound loud when it is being
floored, and the car doesn't backfire. Also, I thought that catalytic
converter problems were usually associated with a "rotten egg" smell.

If it is, indeed, AC dripping causing the issue, then this is likely a
design flaw and perhaps someone on the board will be familiar with it.

Any advance thoughts before I take her to the dealer would be appreciated!

Thanks,
-Mike

 

[Jim Stewart]

Hi folks,

I've noticed after the past month or so the smell of exhaust coming from the
undercarriage of my 2000 Outback (60k miles), usually noticeable after
driving long distance, or while driving off-road, then coming to a stop.

Sounds like a leaking oil seal to me. It's a
common problem. Get under the front of the
car and feel along the front edge of the engine.
Any oil dampness will work it's way back to the
exhaust system and cause the smell. It does
not take much to be offensive, and it will
get worse over time.

 

[Mike Hardiman]

Hrmmm... no puddles under the car, oil level is OK, and no smell when at
idle, but I guess hard driving (highway, off-road) would force the oil to
ooze out of a broken seal, while it might not leak otherwise?

Sounds like something I should address ASAP, especially since I just went
over 60k miles (warranty limit) on this last roadtrip...

Thanks,
-Mike

 

[Jim Stewart]

Hrmmm... no puddles under the car, oil level is OK, and no smell when at
idle, but I guess hard driving (highway, off-road) would force the oil to
ooze out of a broken seal, while it might not leak otherwise?

You'll never see the oil go down, and it's
unlikely there will be much of a drip in the
beginning. The smell is the worst after a
fast hot drive since the wind carries the
oil back over the exhaust plumbing.

Sounds like something I should address ASAP, especially since I just went
over 60k miles (warranty limit) on this last roadtrip...

Good luck.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Sounds like something I should address ASAP, especially since I just went
over 60k miles (warranty limit) on this last roadtrip...

Hi,

You're getting to the mileage where it's not unlikely a cam seal or
front main seal may be getting dry and stiff. As Jim said, it takes very
little oil to start a good smell. My dealer parts guy recommends
replacing the seals each time the t-belts are replaced. That's on a 60k
mile belt replacement engine. Don't know if the seals are any better on
the engines with the 100k mile belt replacements, but considering
experience with several makes besides Subie, I doubt it. Toyotas,
Hondas, Nissans, anything American: around 75k miles and seals seem to
start leaking, maybe a bit more often in hot climates like mine. (Ever
notice a main selling point of "hi-mileage" oils, designed for engines
with over 75k miles, is a seal conditioner?)

Rick

 

[Edward Hayes]

You might want to confirm that the oil lead is not caused by the oil filter.

 

[Cathy7003]

Hi folks,

I've noticed after the past month or so the smell of exhaust coming from the
undercarriage of my 2000 Outback (60k miles), usually noticeable after
driving long distance, or while driving off-road, then coming to a stop.
Recently, I noticed fumes coming from the exhaust system underneath the car,
from a part of the system which I believe to be the rear catalytic
converter, according to this WRX diagram:

Check for oil leakage. My private garage mechanic
says that every Subaru he has ever seen come into his shop
has had oil leaks. They start out small, but grow exponentially
as the car gets older/more mileage, ESPECIALLY the main
seals, around the pan, and drivetrain bushings. Check the Transmission
also as these are not exempt from "Subaru Leaker Disease" as
he calls it. He blames poor quality gaskets used/installed bt FHI
and he's noted the same oil leak issues on BOTH Japan and USA
assembled Subaru's. Also he feels it may be an inherent design
issue problem as Subaru engines run quite hot and under high
internal pressures, feels Subaru Engineers back in Gumma need
to re-think their gasket design technology fast.

footnote: Had work done last year at a
Subaru 'Certified' Dealership in NJ that was a 4 min walk from
Subaru America's Corporate HQ which is located in the same
Town. Learned later this Dealer/Shop had a reputation for being
among the 10 worst places in NJ, and their a Subaru Dealer!
(my 2000 Outback needed work and they made problems worse)
One would think that S of A would have common sense to
choose Customer Service Ctrs better, esp in the same town
as their National HQ is located !!

Find yerself a good private independent mechanic and forget
goint to the Subaru Certified "Factory Service" Dealerships
shops to find & fix your oil leaks. You'll save money and
get a better job done with a private mechanic.

 

[morris]

Check for oil leakage. My private garage mechanic
says that every Subaru he has ever seen come into his shop
has had oil leaks. They start out small, but grow exponentially
as the car gets older/more mileage, ESPECIALLY the main
seals, around the pan, and drivetrain bushings. Check the Transmission
also as these are not exempt from "Subaru Leaker Disease" as
he calls it. He blames poor quality gaskets used/installed bt FHI
and he's noted the same oil leak issues on BOTH Japan and USA
assembled Subaru's. Also he feels it may be an inherent design
issue problem as Subaru engines run quite hot and under high
internal pressures, feels Subaru Engineers back in Gumma need
to re-think their gasket design technology fast.

footnote: Had work done last year at a
Subaru 'Certified' Dealership in NJ that was a 4 min walk from
Subaru America's Corporate HQ which is located in the same
Town. Learned later this Dealer/Shop had a reputation for being
among the 10 worst places in NJ, and their a Subaru Dealer!
(my 2000 Outback needed work and they made problems worse)
One would think that S of A would have common sense to
choose Customer Service Ctrs better, esp in the same town
as their National HQ is located !!

Find yerself a good private independent mechanic and forget
goint to the Subaru Certified "Factory Service" Dealerships
shops to find & fix your oil leaks. You'll save money and
get a better job done with a private mechanic.

man oh man, you all are scaring me !!! i just bought a 2000 outback
w/61,000 miles that runs great, but i guess i;ll have to keep my eye
on this.

hey cathy, do you have a good subaru guy in the north jersey/ny area?

thanks

 

[Cathy7003]

man oh man, you all are scaring me !!! i just bought a 2000 outback
w/61,000 miles that runs great, but i guess i;ll have to keep my eye
on this.

hey cathy, do you have a good subaru guy in the north jersey/ny area?

thanks

----- Original Message -----
From: "morris" <(e-mail address removed)>
Newsgroups: alt.autos.subaru
Sent: Friday, July 30, 2004 9:29 PM
Subject: Re: 2000 Outback "Smokey" undercarriage

hey cathy, do you have a good subaru guy in the north jersey/ny area?

thanks

Hi Morris.

Unfortunatly I do not know of any
NNJ Subaru Service shops with a good rep
as I'm in Sommers Point near AC. Best bet
would be to check the BBB in your area.

Keep an eye each oil change for any evidence
of oil leaks. Esp around the oil pan.
You also may want to get the engine
compartment professionally steam cleaned to
spot any "leakers" while they are still small.

Good luck ; ) K.

 

[unc']

Say,

One more place I'd look is the CV boot on the passengers side of the
car. This may be about the time (1999) that Subaru found out the hard
way that the CV grease was too thin and was finding its' way out of the
boots---and more particularly right on to the catalytic converter. I've
had this happen to my 92 Legacy wagon after having the axles regreased
and new boots applied. I've also had the dreaded front crank seal AND
oil pump O ring go out in the 97 Outback at about 71k. You'll know the
latter from the former for sure!

 

[Marc]

2000 Outback, bought new or used? Was the undercarriage coating recall just
done? could be overspray on the exhaust and 2nd cat.

Marc