Saab 92 Forum : Saab92x.com / Found location of oil leak, no clue what seal this is?

scoobysaab · 2016-09-06 20:16:34

I used a dye kit to find my oil leak, the location is in the below photos. This is just to the right of the driver side exhaust headers. Any clue?

For orientation, pretend you're under the car with your legs hanging out from the front end.

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goob_os101 · 2016-09-07 08:14:07

mine was the cam seal...fixed with a timing belt job which includes new cam seals

scoobysaab · 2016-09-07 09:09:35

Hmmm I had my timing belt done by a Subaru shop mechanic at his home garage, but I'm not sure if he did the cam seal. The leak has been a problem since before that job, so I'm assuming he didn't (if indeed that is the culprit).

Is there a good engine diagram with this section of the underside? I'm looking around but haven't found anything with enough detail.

scoobysaab · 2016-09-07 13:05:32

I spoke with the mechanic and some other gearheads, they said its an 'external' head gasket leak from the unpressurized oil return drains from the heads back to the pan. They said its caused by the torque to yield bolts failing. Which will eventually turn into a coolant leak and then the inevitable combustion ring failure and overheating problems.

elislider · 2016-09-12 12:17:06

these cars typically don't have head gasket issues. however, is this an 05 or 06 and turbo (aero) or non-turbo (linear)?
what's more likely is the crank and cam seals and the power steering pump are leaking

scoobysaab · 2016-09-12 12:41:43

06 Linear automatic.

Power steering definitely isn't leaking

elislider · 2016-09-12 17:11:26

they usually don't have head gasket problems but i suppose its possible. it could be a combination of cam/crank seals and the rear main seals, no way to know for sure without pulling the motor and inspecting everything...

eurocoffee · 2016-09-12 20:13:13

The line is drawn directly on the head to block mating surface. Spray the shit out of it with a can of Brake clean and check again in 20 miles, but yea, head gaskets. sad
For consolation, almost every n/a Subaru from our generation will start leaking there. A little or a lot, most will leak at around 100k. Replace with STi gaskets.

theleveler · 2016-09-13 18:49:00

eurocoffee wrote:
For consolation, almost every n/a Subaru from our generation will start leaking there. A little or a lot, most will leak at around 100k.

I can also anecdotally attest to this based on my N/A subaru experiences

scoobysaab · 2016-09-13 21:02:16

unamused

welp, I guess I'll have to get that fixed at some point. Not even sure the car will be worth it by the time I need to do it

#1 2016-09-06 20:16:34

Found location of oil leak, no clue what seal this is?

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#2 2016-09-07 08:14:07

Re: Found location of oil leak, no clue what seal this is?

#3 2016-09-07 09:09:35

Re: Found location of oil leak, no clue what seal this is?

#4 2016-09-07 13:05:32

Re: Found location of oil leak, no clue what seal this is?

#5 2016-09-12 12:17:06

Re: Found location of oil leak, no clue what seal this is?

#6 2016-09-12 12:41:43

Re: Found location of oil leak, no clue what seal this is?

#7 2016-09-12 17:11:26

Re: Found location of oil leak, no clue what seal this is?

#8 2016-09-12 20:13:13

Re: Found location of oil leak, no clue what seal this is?

#9 2016-09-13 18:49:00

Re: Found location of oil leak, no clue what seal this is?

eurocoffee wrote:

#10 2016-09-13 21:02:16

Re: Found location of oil leak, no clue what seal this is?

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