Oil Leak in 1999 Subaru Outback Sport with the 2.5 Liter Engine

[Richard]

I have a Outback Sport 1999 with a 2.5 liter engine with 62,000 miles on
it. It has been having a burning smell and smoke after operating it. It
smells like oil. My friend says it is a leaking oil gasket and and that many
Subaru engines have it. Is this true and if so what should I do about it? It
seems to slowly be getting worse. I just had my 60,000 mile checkup at the
Subaru dealer and they said the car was fine.

 

[Jim Stewart]

I have a Outback Sport 1999 with a 2.5 liter engine with 62,000 miles on
it. It has been having a burning smell and smoke after operating it. It
smells like oil. My friend says it is a leaking oil gasket and and that many
Subaru engines have it. Is this true

Yes.

and if so what should I do about it?

Remove the oil pump, loctite the 5 screws on it's backplate,
replace the o-ring and reinstall.

It
seems to slowly be getting worse.

It probably is.

I just had my 60,000 mile checkup at the

Subaru dealer and they said the car was fine.

It probably was.

 

[Richard]

Thanks for the information. Just one more question if I may. If I get Subaru
to do it for me what should I expect to pay?

 

[Jim Stewart]

Thanks for the information. Just one more question if I may. If I get Subaru
to do it for me what should I expect to pay?

I don't know. I did mine myself. The actual repair
is trivial. Getting to the oil pump is not. Probably
3-4 hours labor and $20 in parts. I forgot to mention
that the crankshaft seal needs to be replaced as it
is what's actually leaking.

 

[Edward Hayes]

First look for the easy external stuff like a leaking valve cover gasket or
a plugged PVC valve or pinched pvc hose. Ed Hayes