97 Impreza possible oil leak..(seems pretty common...)

[uncafe]

Hello folks:

I have a 97 impreza that has a similiar problem that some of you has
described here:
Car runs very well for any short trips or in the city, but once I drive
on highway...say 20 minutes or so, and stop the car in a fast food
restaurant or somthing, I can see smoke coming from under the hood and
it smells like oil burning.

I took the car to the shop and they suspect the oil leakage. After
putting the dye in and check again after 5 days, it seems 99% sure that
the oil is leaking from somewhere in the front part of the
engine...cam/crank/shaft stuff like that....

So here goes my question: if, say I want to change these seals and also
do timing belt and water punp replacement now, how much do you think
these would cost? I am facing this estimate which cost $1277 and this
is not a dealer, just a big repair shop.

Anybody can give me a reasonable price range here? I think i will also
look around and see other shops, will follow up with details about
repairing afterwards.

Thank you so much guys!

-Uncafe

 

[Jim Stewart]

Hello folks:

I have a 97 impreza that has a similiar problem that some of you has
described here:
Car runs very well for any short trips or in the city, but once I drive
on highway...say 20 minutes or so, and stop the car in a fast food
restaurant or somthing, I can see smoke coming from under the hood and
it smells like oil burning.

I took the car to the shop and they suspect the oil leakage. After
putting the dye in and check again after 5 days, it seems 99% sure that
the oil is leaking from somewhere in the front part of the
engine...cam/crank/shaft stuff like that....

The cheapest way to find the leak is to
spray the engine with Gunk and pressure-
wash it off. Then check the engine daily
to see where the oil first appears.

So here goes my question: if, say I want to change these seals and also
do timing belt and water punp replacement now, how much do you think
these would cost? I am facing this estimate which cost $1277 and this
is not a dealer, just a big repair shop.

Depends on the quality and fairness of the
shops in your area. Some shops aren't familiar
with Subaru and will charge accordingly. Others
gouge for whatever they can get. And some are
fair.

I'd think that $600-$1000 would be reasonable.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Hello folks:

I have a 97 impreza that has a similiar problem that some of you has
described here:
Car runs very well for any short trips or in the city, but once I drive
on highway...say 20 minutes or so, and stop the car in a fast food
restaurant or somthing, I can see smoke coming from under the hood and
it smells like oil burning.

I took the car to the shop and they suspect the oil leakage. After
putting the dye in and check again after 5 days, it seems 99% sure that
the oil is leaking from somewhere in the front part of the
engine...cam/crank/shaft stuff like that....

So here goes my question: if, say I want to change these seals and also
do timing belt and water punp replacement now, how much do you think
these would cost? I am facing this estimate which cost $1277 and this
is not a dealer, just a big repair shop.

Anybody can give me a reasonable price range here? I think i will also
look around and see other shops, will follow up with details about
repairing afterwards.

Thank you so much guys!

-Uncafe

First, try to make sure parts aren't being marked up. You might get an
idea from an online OEM dealer such as www.subarugenuineparts.com as to
water pump, tensioner, timing belt costs and then its a matter of time
and labor rates. between more experienced folks here and - say - at
www.ultimatesubaru.com , you could probably get some estimates and,
after mentioning your town, maybe some direction to a coupla other shops
for estimates.


Carl

 

[Robert]

I had mine done on my 95 Legacy a couple of years back. My leak was
from the crank seal. Since everything is off the car for that repair,
I also had the timing belt, cam seals and a new water pump. The price
was about $400. I live in Wyoming where the labor costs are $40 per
hour. I used genuine Subaru parts. The shop I used was a general auto
repair and not a dealer. - boB <-=-= (I wrote my name in code in case
the gov't is watching.

 

[G.J.H. Jørgensen]

I agree with most answers.
I have an Impreza Wagon '97 auto - quite uncommon in Holland, but a delight
to drive.
I had (at 50,000 miles) a leaky crank seal - cost about ? 300,= as the
complete distribution had to be built off.
Now the car has run over 65,000 miles, oil consumption is less than 1,0
liter every 3,000 miles,
and I regularly drive longer distances.
I don't know the prices in the States, but $ 400,= till $ 600,= seems a good
guess.
I advise you to have it done at a certified dealer's - it's a precision job.

George