cam seal problems

[maureen]

I have a '98 Outback Legacy. 3/2003 replaced cam cover gaskets at 90K

 

3/2004 Left cam seal leaking at 113K miles, crankshaft oil seal R&R and Cam Seals R&R completed

 

12/04 at 129K miles Dealer doing oil change noted oil leaking again from left cam seal. Took car to mechanic who did work in 3/2004; he couldn't find a leak.

6/2005 at 137K miles Dealer again noted L cam seal leaking. Independent mechanic again replaced the cam seal. under warranty.

 

Now it's 03/06 and again the left cam seal is leaking. I took it to a dealer who says it will cost close to $600 to do the work. I'm leary about taking it back to the independent mechanic again plus it's an hour drive to his shop, but my friend who used to work for a Subaru dealership said I should make him do good on the warranty. (and it would save me a lot of money). I'm tired of dealing with this problem. Wondering if it falls into the same category as the writer who mentioned chronic crankshaft problems. I'm wondering if it's faulty after market parts or something intrinsic with that model Subaru with the boxer engine or the mechanic?

 

Is anyone aware of chronic problems with this vintage Subaru and the cam seals, or in particular the after market parts? Seems like the trouble started back when I had cam cover gaskets with seals replaced in 2003

[a97obw]

I took it to a dealer who says it will cost close to $600 to do the work.

 

 

Good grief man! Oops, I mean Maa'm! It's nothing but turning the engine over to line up the marks on the crank and cams, then removing the timing belt, removing the valve cover and using a BIG crescent wrench like the ones at Harbor Freight for $12 to hold the camshaft by the hex shaped portion of the cam, use a breaker bar and socket to remove the camshaft pulley, pull the old seal out and tap a new one in....put it all back together.

 

Is anyone aware of chronic problems with this vintage Subaru and the cam seals, or in particular the after market parts?

 

I would definitely go OEM (Genuine Subaru Parts) for the camshaft/crankshaft seals.

 

Seems like the trouble started back when I had cam cover gaskets with seals replaced in 2003

 

Uh huh.......hmmmmm.....I don't recall seeing it in the Haynes manual for the Subarus, but I will tell you this. The Miata engine and its overhead cam type cylinder head is simlilar to the Subaru in that the valve cover gasket/valve cover mating surface is flat....with two exceptions.....where the front camshaft bearing caps (that hold the cam seals) create a semi-circle in the valve cover/valve cover gasket.

Now, on the Miata, you put just a dab of sealant on the camshaft caps at the spots where the valve cover/gasket changes from flat to a semi-circle. Ok, there are 4 such spots (per side on your Subaru). So you put a dab of sealent either on the gasket or the camshaft caps at those points and your valve cover gasket won't leak. I've done it on my 97 OBW 2.5 engine.

I'm wondering if this is where the leak is REALLY coming from and not the actual camshaft seal.

[JPX]

Subaru OEM seals are a must.

 

I had an independent put in my first crank seal and they had used some other seal supplier. It died 30K miles later and was leaking AGAIN.

 

I did the second crank seal myself and it held up great until the head gasket conked out.

 

Subaru OEM seals are a must.

[maureen]

I took it to a dealer who says it will cost close to $600 to do the work.

 

 

Good grief man! Oops, I mean Maa'm! It's nothing but turning the engine over to line up the marks on the crank and cams, then removing the timing belt, removing the valve cover and using a BIG crescent wrench like the ones at Harbor Freight for $12 to hold the camshaft by the hex shaped portion of the cam, use a breaker bar and socket to remove the camshaft pulley, pull the old seal out and tap a new one in....put it all back together.

 

Is anyone aware of chronic problems with this vintage Subaru and the cam seals, or in particular the after market parts?

 

I would definitely go OEM (Genuine Subaru Parts) for the camshaft/crankshaft seals.

 

Seems like the trouble started back when I had cam cover gaskets with seals replaced in 2003

 

Uh huh.......hmmmmm.....I don't recall seeing it in the Haynes manual for the Subarus, but I will tell you this. The Miata engine and its overhead cam type cylinder head is simlilar to the Subaru in that the valve cover gasket/valve cover mating surface is flat....with two exceptions.....where the front camshaft bearing caps (that hold the cam seals) create a semi-circle in the valve cover/valve cover gasket.

Now, on the Miata, you put just a dab of sealant on the camshaft caps at the spots where the valve cover/gasket changes from flat to a semi-circle. Ok, there are 4 such spots (per side on your Subaru). So you put a dab of sealent either on the gasket or the camshaft caps at those points and your valve cover gasket won't leak. I've done it on my 97 OBW 2.5 engine.

I'm wondering if this is where the leak is REALLY coming from and not the actual camshaft seal.

Thank you so much for your feedback. I will definitely do more research before I even think about dropping $600 on thie problem.

[maureen]

Subaru OEM seals are a must.

 

I had an independent put in my first crank seal and they had used some other seal supplier. It died 30K miles later and was leaking AGAIN.

 

I did the second crank seal myself and it held up great until the head gasket conked out.

 

Subaru OEM seals are a must.

Thanks so much for the information. It will be very helpful when I go back to the mechanic. Your story sounds very familiar. My seal, just the left one, seems to be leaking about every 6 to 12 months, or 12 to 12K miles.

Not good!

[dxrflyboy]

The seal surface on the camshaft may also have a gouge or scratch in it, causing it to chew up the seal prematurely. That can happen if proper care isn't taken when removing/installing seals.

[a97obw]

Ahhh, good point. It may even be residue from the old seal that is still on the camshaft wiping out the new seals. Nothing a little piece of red scotchbright and a squirt of carb cleaner won't remove before going back with the new seals---using a rubber mallet and a large socket that has been very well taped up around the flange and the inside to keep from putting a "gronk" on the camshaft!