Smoky 97 Legacy: oil leaking onto manifold

[wayne]

I have a 97 Legacy wagon, standard transmission, basic model. Lately I've
been noticing (and smelling) smoke coming out of the engine compartment
and I traced it to some oil that somehow is getting onto the exhaust
manifold right where it forks under the transmission. When I look under
the car after a trip, I can see smoke coming from the fork. Not much oil
is on there but enough to generate smoke.

I got under the car and tried to find a leak but so far I
haven't been able to spot one. I did noticed a drop of oil hanging at the
bottom of the oil filter so I changed the filter and so far no oil on it.
But I'm not sure if that is where the oil was leaking from. It could
have splashed on there from somewhere else. From where? I don't know and I
still can't find a leak. It seems to be oiliest around the steering
gear/rods area.

Has anyone experienced this problem? I sure would like to know the
solution.

Thanks,
Wayne

 

[CRGILL]

try checking the passenger side front half shaft. The inner boot tends to dry
out & split due to the heat from the nearby exhaust, throwing grease onto the
exhaust & causing the smoke & smell. Recommend have a replacement refurbished
half shaft fitted rather than just replacing the boot & grease, as the
universal joint is almost certainly already buggered (that's a technical term
8^))

Chris

 

[Jim Stewart]

I have a 97 Legacy wagon, standard transmission, basic model. Lately I've
been noticing (and smelling) smoke coming out of the engine compartment
and I traced it to some oil that somehow is getting onto the exhaust
manifold right where it forks under the transmission. When I look under
the car after a trip, I can see smoke coming from the fork. Not much oil
is on there but enough to generate smoke.

I got under the car and tried to find a leak but so far I
haven't been able to spot one. I did noticed a drop of oil hanging at the
bottom of the oil filter so I changed the filter and so far no oil on it.
But I'm not sure if that is where the oil was leaking from. It could
have splashed on there from somewhere else. From where? I don't know and I
still can't find a leak. It seems to be oiliest around the steering
gear/rods area.

Has anyone experienced this problem? I sure would like to know the
solution.

Yes, front crank oil seal.

My car looked just the same way. Get under it and feel around
the timing belt case. If you get oil on your fingers, clean
the case and check again after a moderately long drive.

It is deceptive because you don't see much of a drip and it
doesn't always show itself after a short drive. Mine was making
the transmission skid pan and the exhausts around it covered
with oil but very little in the front where it was coming out.
After the fix everything was dry as a bone after a long drive.

To properly fix the problem, you have to remove the oil pump,
locktite the 5 backplate screws, change the o-ring and seal,
clean and reapply PVC sealer to the mating surfaces and reinstall
the oil pump.

Now the oil pump is on the very front of the crankcase and
to get to it, you have to remove the fans, the fanbelts, the
radiator, the fanbelt pulley, the timing belt covers, and the
timing belt.

 

[TG]

Also check the small drip port along the bottom of the timing cover,
anything leaking behind the cover cam seals,crank seal, oil pump) will
escape hear and blow right onto the Y pipe. Very common and easy to fix. TG

 

[wayne]

Yes, front crank oil seal.

My car looked just the same way. Get under it and feel around
the timing belt case. If you get oil on your fingers, clean
the case and check again after a moderately long drive.

It is deceptive because you don't see much of a drip and it
doesn't always show itself after a short drive. Mine was making
the transmission skid pan and the exhausts around it covered
with oil but very little in the front where it was coming out.
After the fix everything was dry as a bone after a long drive.

Can I tell there's a leak by taking off the side timing belt cover(s)?
Will there be a build up of oil there? How about if I take off the
cover after a moderate drive?

Thanks,
Wayne

 

[wayne]

Also check the small drip port along the bottom of the timing cover,
anything leaking behind the cover cam seals,crank seal, oil pump) will
escape hear and blow right onto the Y pipe. Very common and easy to fix. TG

Where is the drip port?

Wayne

 

[Tony Hwang]

Hi,
I'd replace PCV valve first, just in case.
Tony

 

[TG]

"along the bottom of the timing cover"

That was a bit of a joke but if you look/feel along the bottom seal where
the front and rear timing covers come together there is a small
hole...usually rectangular for leaking oil to escape from before it
accumulates enough to cover the belt. TG

 

[TG]

you might see a trail where oil has run down from the cam seal but probably
not a leak from the crank area. Get a good flashlight and give it a try. TG

 

[Paul and Paula news]

Hi all, I have just removed the engine from my 92 Legacy (Liberty). The
crank front and rear seals, the oil seal behind the right cam shaft and the
seal behind the cam shaft carrier left front are all rock hard - ie leaking
like a sieve. The rear crankshaft seal is a pain to replace as you have to
remove the engine.

Before this I stripped the power steering pump as it too was leaking.
bottom line is Subaru seals harden with heat and age and must be replaced
periodically.

If you have a leak at the exhaust fork, then Id suspect either the power
steering, or the rear seal.

cheers
Paul

 

[Pete D]

Never heard such crap in my life.

 

[Pete D]

Cam seal area is very likely and easy to fix.

you might see a trail where oil has run down from the cam seal but probably
not a leak from the crank area. Get a good flashlight and give it a try. TG

 

[TG]

I have also had this "crap" happen. TG

Never heard such crap in my life.

 

[wayne]

you might see a trail where oil has run down from the cam seal but probably
not a leak from the crank area. Get a good flashlight and give it a try. TG

I would have to remove the timing belt cover first right?

Wayne

 

[TG]

You were asking if you could see anything by removing an end cover and that
is what I responded to. TG

 

[John Eyles]

I have a 97 Legacy wagon, standard transmission, basic model. Lately I've
I have almost the exact same car (but it's an Outback) and the
exact same symptoms.

I have been assuming it's the rear main crank seal, which really sucks
if so, because I just had the clutch replaced and coulda fixed the
seal then if I'd been thinking.

One respondent here suggested checking the PCV valve and hoses, as that
can cause excessive pressure in the crankcase and cause seals to leak.

An earlier respondent said:

Yes, front crank oil seal.

Well, I HOPE that's the case with mine, because I'm due for a timing
belt replacement soon. But, the location of mine (and it sounds like
of yours) suggests rear rather than front seal. But as you said, it's
kinda hard to tell exactly what's going on.

Good luck (to us both), John

P.S. Please followup with anything you learn (and I'll do the same) !

 

[TG]

Every time I have a leaking front crank seal, cam seal, oil pump the problem
always shows itself as oil being blown back onto the Y pipe while driveling,
lots of smoke and smell when you stop but no visible sigh of oil. These are
problems I have had many times but I have never had a leaking rear seal. TG

 

[LCB]

I had the same exact same sounding leak on my 97 OB. It's got 140K and
just last week I was told I have to replace head gaskets. I don't know
how much this issue is related to my head gasket problems but I'm
suspicious. I had the main seal replaced with the timing belt at 105K
...... so I don't know... Thanks for letting me vent....
Good luck..