96 2.2 rear main seal retainer? What is it?

[Subarunation 713]

This is a new one to me. I was just checking on a rear main seal and I saw a "rear main seal retainer" on the exploded diagram at 1st Subaru parts web site. I did a search for the "rear main seal retainer" on New Generation of Subarus and didn't come up with anything that relates to rear main seals. Is this another name for the oil separator?

 

Thanks to the advice of many good folks on the board I am ordering an Exedy clutch from clutchcityonline.com for our 96 Outback 2.2 and scrapping the idea of the Fenco/Dynapac. I want to do the rear main even though it is not leaking. But I didn't know to even order a rear main retainer. Is this a reusable part?

 

BTW, is the oil separator on the 96 2.2 a metal one or a plastic one. I know the 2.5s have a plastic separator and that is a must change item if the engine/trans is apart. Is the same true for a 2.2?

 

Thanks,

Greg

[Subarunation 713]

Well one question answered. I knew after I posted that if I kept searching I would find something.

 

On the EJ22 the oil separator is metal. It was not plastic until the 2.5 came along then in mid 2000 it went back to being metal.

 

Still don't know what the heck the retainer is though.

[dmanaenk]

rear main seal retainer - its what comes up on genuinesubaruparts catalog if I enter part number for Oil Separator plate.

So how exactly did you figure that your 2.2 has metal one?

I distinctly remember posts on this board claiming they have found plastic ones on 95 2.2

[Subarunation 713]

rear main seal retainer - its what comes up on genuinesubaruparts catalog if I enter part number for Oil Separator plate.

So how exactly did you figure that your 2.2 has metal one?

I distinctly remember posts on this board claiming they have found plastic ones on 95 2.2

Thanks for the oil separator plate info.

 

As for the second issue. I found 2 posts on this board claiming the EJ22 had a metal plate. Not the first time there has been contradictory info! :-)

 

If somebody out there knows for sure one way ot the other I would appreciate the info before the transmission comes out and we find a plastic plate in there!

 

Thanks dmanaenk! Just when I thought I had it all figured out :-)

 

They told me I was gullible. I believed them.

Greg

[msmithmmx]

My 97 2.2 had a plastic separator plate. I went to the dealer and purchased the metal version for 12 bucks.

[WoodsWagon]

The EJ22 we pulled out of Konrad's car had a plastic one. the receipt in the glovebox claimed that the engine had been swapped out of a 1990. The plastic plate was leaking all over, both metal ones I've seen (both out of 1992's) were fine. Plastic sucks. Only thing I can say about the engine with the plastic cover is that it had the injector tops at a 45deg angle instead of both straight.

[SUBARU3]

I have had 3 1995's , (2.2) with plastic separator plates. I think 1990-1993 was metal and 94-96 or 97 went plastic. But yes. 2.2s do have plastic ones.

 

Todd

[Subarunation 713]

Well I am going to go to the local dealership and get a oil separator. If I need it, it will be available if not, I will return it.

 

I take the car to the garage on Thursday, too bad there isn't enough time to order it from 1st Subaru. The MSRP for the rear main seal was $11.93, 1st had it for $8,59, Gurley Leep in South Bend charged me $21.48 for the rear main seal. Just barely cheaper than 1st with rush shipping. I bet Gurley Leep charges me $25 or more for the separator plate IF they even have it. Gosh they SUCK!