WRX oil leak, and key remote replacement

[Ramone899]

Hi all,

 

My 2004 WRX may have an oil leak. I can smell burning oil at the end of a drive, and there is a little bit of dark oil atop the engine, but the oil level does not drop. The oil atop the engine does not increase over time. Dealer says it's a leak and would cost a couple thousand $ to determine the source. Then more $ to fix the leak. Wouldn't a leak cause the oil level to drop over time? Not sure what to do.

 

Also, my key remote for the same car had stopped working even with battery replacement and is now working only intermittently with the new battery. I think it needs replacement, yes?

 

[idosubaru]

Oil loss is what’s important. It doesn’t matter how much fluid you see outside the engine but what matters is how much is being lost and where. If it’s not much then it’s not a big deal.

 

Post a picture of the leak.

 

Check the inner cv axle boots. They can fling grease and always need replaced at some point, they are maintenance items.

 

Diagnosis does not cost 1,000’s. If they know what it is that would cost that much then that needs relayed to us.

 

Properly diagnosis it. Ask the dealer what it is and tell us what they say. If you get nothing from the dealer then go to another one. This is really simple. It’s a simple common leak with verifiable fluid right there in front of your eyes - someone with more than 50 IQ needs to look at it and tell you what it could be. We can narrow it down from there.

 

Post a picture ask a friend to look take it somewhere else. Lots of options.

 

Yeah remotes suck. They wear out get flaky and fail all the time.

 

You can take it apart and see if the battery contacts or button functionality can be tweaked.

Edited March 10, 2018 by idosubaru

[idosubaru]

In general some dealers don’t pay much attention to older cars and in their book 15 years old is ancient. Most of what the service is new, much newer. They figure you’re just going to go somewhere else and don’t spend (waste) much time on you. This varies by area and dealer but is definitely not rare.

 

You may need an independent Subaru specialist as a second opinion if your dealer isn’t looking at it.

 

The story shared so far sounds incomplete in terms of what and how you asked and how they responded. Did you schedule a service, leave your car there, pay for a diagnosis and get a written quote?

 

Post what that quote says if you did.

[Rooster2]

Your 2004 may have something as simple as a valve cover leak, which is very common It is a simple fix having valve cover gaskets replaced. Take your car to a car repair shop, not your dealer, who can put your car up on a lift, and look around for the leak. It is not difficult for anyone to spot a leak at minimal cost. Have a mechanic show you what he thinks is leaking.

 

It is important to understand how much oil you are leaking. Parked in a garage, or somewhere on drive pavement, you should be able to see a "spot" where oil has leaked out if parked in the same place over night. A tiny oil spot means there is little to be concerned about. Your checking the oil level, and getting an  indication that the oil level remains high is assurance that your oil leak is minimal. Still get the oil leak source verified, so you know what is going on.

[golucky66]

Yeah. That's crazy. MAYBE if the engine is soaked and it's a very small leak it might take a tech 2 hours to wash the entire engine and then inspect the system for a leak.

But even on a WRX there's a few common places they can leak and most dealerships don't want to work on vehicles out of warranty because it's not "gravy work" and they can't make 100 hours while working 50.

 

Either way. Find a independent subie shop and let them give you advice.

[Gloyale]

oil on top of engine is likely the oil pressure switch.  $20, 20 min fix.

 

Screw that dealer.

 

If it's not the OP switch, it may be the power steering pump.

 

 

Other common leaks on that car.

 

Oil cooler O-rings (4 of them in this model, less than 1 hour fix)

 

Turbo oil return (about 2 hour fix)

 

Valve covers, Cam seals (do these with timing belt service to save cost)

 

Rear separator (do this with clutch service)

 

I could fix all those leaks and do HGs and T-belt for "several thousand" dollars, lol