Timing cover leak !?

[mathieu.lalande]

Hey !

Just got a call from my garage saying that I have a leak from the
timing cover on my 01 Outback (180 000km).

Can anyone tell me what seal(s) could be leaking ?

He tells me a 4h job , does this seems right ?

Thanks for any info !

 

[Todd H.]

Hey !

Just got a call from my garage saying that I have a leak from the
timing cover on my 01 Outback (180 000km).

Timing cover? Sure you have that right? There is a gasket on these,
I believe, but I think it's more to keep snow/rain/water out of the
timing belt area than to keep anything in.

However, from what I've read, leaking cam seals can be the culprit and
evidence themselves to ya with oil coming out of the timing cover.

For what it's worth, valve cover gaskets are apparently a trouble spot
on the 2001, and evidence that they're leaking is gnerally finding oil
on and around the spark plug boots in teh spark plug wells.

I'd clarify with teh tech exactly what he plans to replace. 4 hours
for cam seals doesn't sound that horrible to me. Is your timing belt
due for replacement? If they're in that far already, it might be an
opportune time to do belt and water pump without incurring any
additional labor cost.

 

[Todd H.]

Timing cover? Sure you have that right? There is a gasket on these,
I believe, but I think it's more to keep snow/rain/water out of the
timing belt area than to keep anything in.

However, from what I've read, leaking cam seals can be the culprit and
evidence themselves to ya with oil coming out of the timing cover.

For what it's worth, valve cover gaskets are apparently a trouble spot
on the 2001, and evidence that they're leaking is gnerally finding oil
on and around the spark plug boots in teh spark plug wells.

I'd clarify with teh tech exactly what he plans to replace. 4 hours
for cam seals doesn't sound that horrible to me. Is your timing belt
due for replacement? If they're in that far already, it might be an
opportune time to do belt and water pump without incurring any
additional labor cost.

This might lend additional insight:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-841618.html

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Hey !

Just got a call from my garage saying that I have a leak from the
timing cover on my 01 Outback (180 000km).

Can anyone tell me what seal(s) could be leaking ?

He tells me a 4h job , does this seems right ?

Thanks for any info !

Well, is it oil or coolant? How close are you to needing a timing belt?
I might be tempted to do the TB early and combine the labor with the
leak repair.

Also, it may not be environmentally 'correct' but $400 would buy a LOT
of oil if you need to put it off for a few months(and the leak is not
severe)

Carl

 

[Guest]

Hey !

Just got a call from my garage saying that I have a leak from the
timing cover on my 01 Outback (180 000km).

Can anyone tell me what seal(s) could be leaking ?

He tells me a 4h job , does this seems right ?

Thanks for any info !

Do you have the 6cyl (which does have a timing chain, and a timing
cover with oil behind it), or a 4 cylinder?

If it is the 6, the cover has a gazillion bolts in it (about 35), and
I could see it taking awhile to get to the cover (remove radiator,
etc) and then replace it.

If the is the 6, also consider replacing the water pump while the
cover is off, I hear it resides under the cover as well (have not
confirmed this for myself)


Dave

 

[Sam]

Well, is it oil or coolant? How close are you to needing a timing belt?
I might be tempted to do the TB early and combine the labor with the
leak repair.

Also, it may not be environmentally 'correct' but $400 would buy a LOT
of oil if you need to put it off for a few months(and the leak is not
severe)

Carl

Basically you'll have to do the timing belt at the same time. To take
off the camshaft sprockets to get to the seals the belt has to come
off - a used belt cannot be put back on easily and it isn't worthwhile
for a $40 part.

 

[Sam]

Forgot to mention - when I did my timing belt earlier this year it was
about a four hour job.