Q: crankcase gasket leak and viscosity of oil used in Impreza i might buy

[hometech99]

Im checking out a 99 Outback Sport with only 32,000 mi.

it has a weep in the front crankcase cover gasket on the bottom.

the car was maintained well- it has all the records and was maintained
at the dealership regularly. no major repairs.

I noticed that in 1999-2001, 15w-40 was used in the vehicle at oil
changes (yes, at the Subaru dealership). no note of customer request
or anything. no sign of tow bar or anything. after that, 10w-30 was
used up through 2005.

i called that specific dealership and asked why. they said that the
15w-40 was recommended back then, so thats what they put in. the car's
own 1999 manual doesnt have that in there- only the usual 5w-30 or
10w-30.

so,

1) was this correct with the 15w-40? potential problem or no?

2) is this soon for a crankcase gasket weep, and could too thick of an
oil have caused it (and other damage?)

 

[Edward Hayes]

15w40 oil was not recommended for anything except desert driving (like
125 degrees F.) or heavy trailer towing. 5w30 was recommended for the
daily driver as the preferred oil. If you lived in So California or
the deep south 15w40 would probable have been ok and probably no harm
done. Crankshaft and or camshaft seals were a problem about that time
and Subaru came out with a different seal material. If it's just
weeping and not dripping I wouldn't be concerned but, if it's dripping
then it will need to be replaced at some substantial cost. JMO ed

 

[hometech99]

car was in pennsylvania - and i crawled under the rear also- no sign of
trailering.

interestingly, dealer said they'd replace the seal.


question is whether to pass on the car or not

 

[hometech99]

Dealer says they looked and it was the crank seal, so they are
replacing it (pre-sale!)


anyway, again, is a crank seal failure normal at 5 years or 32,000
miles?
or, just a function of the gaskets they used then?

or, as i wondered, because of the 3 years of 15w-40 oil in
Pennsylvania???

 

[MN]

Dealer says they looked and it was the crank seal, so they are
replacing it (pre-sale!)


anyway, again, is a crank seal failure normal at 5 years or 32,000
miles?
or, just a function of the gaskets they used then?

or, as i wondered, because of the 3 years of 15w-40 oil in
Pennsylvania???

I think yor reasoning may be incorrect.

Likely, there is nothing wrong _because of_ the 15w-40 oil.

Although it is a tiny bit heavier than the 10w-30, this engine
can handle it very well, even in Pensylvania. The Subaru boxer
type engine, is not known to be an ultra tight engine like some
of the Toyota's, Acura's, and others. Pensylvania is not
a very cold location either. So using this oil grade 'in of
itself' did not compromise the engine, or seals, I believe.

The point of contention for me is why would someone
use 15-40? Was there a problem that 15-40 oil was supposed
to help fix? Was it the seal seepage that someone hoped
to stop or slow down by using thicker oil? If that was the case I would
buy the car and have new seals put on.

But perhaps there was some engine knock, or valve noise, or
other mechanical problem that a different viscosity oil was to
improve.

My first bet would be that thicker oil was used to ameliorate
the seal seepage, and the car is probably in good shape.
But why would an owner of a new car decide not to have
the seeping seals replaced under warranty???

Maybe it was a different problem, indeed?

Tough choice.

If you could only talk to the previous owner.

MN

 

[hometech99]

well actually- to be sure- read the original post again.

one, i checked the records and 15w40 was used from the get-go for 3
years. then, i called THAT subaru dealer and the service dept told me
they used that in everything back then.
10w30 was used after that.

so, i doubt it had leak or knock back then that the cust would have
complained about. i see no complaints on the service shhets, other than
a glovebox door or brake squeak that was fixed.

so, im back to wondering why seals would leak at 5years/32,000 mi.

the dealer IS replacing the crank seal. i just want to have an idea of
that means anything in itself, or are there other factors.

so, the 15w40 wasnt switched to BECAUSE of a leak.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

well actually- to be sure- read the original post again.

one, i checked the records and 15w40 was used from the get-go for 3
years. then, i called THAT subaru dealer and the service dept told me
they used that in everything back then.
10w30 was used after that.

so, i doubt it had leak or knock back then that the cust would have
complained about. i see no complaints on the service shhets, other than
a glovebox door or brake squeak that was fixed.

so, im back to wondering why seals would leak at 5years/32,000 mi.

the dealer IS replacing the crank seal. i just want to have an idea of
that means anything in itself, or are there other factors.

so, the 15w40 wasnt switched to BECAUSE of a leak.

I suppose if the PCV valve/system weren't functioning properly it could
stress a seal. Or just bad luck getting a car with poor assembly/bad
part during engine build.

Carl

 

[MN]

so, im back to wondering why seals would leak at 5years/32,000 mi.

Bad seal material and PVC type problem, or sloppy assembly
were suggested.

Maybe driven very hard? Abused?

This could ruin seals I guess, that is high rpm's, redlining the
engine, I don't know, maybe inspect the tires carefully for any
signs of premature/excessive wear. If new I'd be suspicious
but than 32k and 5years, sounds like somewhere near time
for new tires anyway. Maybe inspecting the wear on brake pads
is the way to go?

MN