I posted this a few days ago, but someone said it would be more helpful with more info.
So my 99 subaru outback(130,000m) has a slow leak, a few drops on the driveway over a long period of time. I took my car in for something else and they said I have a leak…the cam seals are bad, the front crankshaft seal, the gaskets. He also said if we’re doing it we might as well replace all the belts which must be ruined by all the oil on them. He wants to replace the water pump and thermostat too.
The water pump and belts are one year old and some of the gaskets are also one year old…but that was repaired(supposedly) by a mechanic who didn’t clearly know what he was doing or maybe didn’t actually do the work I paid for.
So, my question is: if the leak isn’t major, do I need these major repairs?
I’m already getting the rear breaks, one cv axle replaced and the knock sensor on the engine replaced for $750, so another $950 will definitely put me in debt.
If you are unsure of the previous work done, then it would be prudent to get it all done. Was the water pump replaced at 105K miles, or so, when the timing belt was done? Many argue (correctly in this case0 that the cam seals should be replaced at the same time as the timing belt and water pump.
If the timing belt wasn’t replaced, then it is also due; add $500 or so to the amounts you already have estimated. Sorry, no good news here; you can roll the dice and not do the cam seal work, but I think there is enough doubt about the previous repairs that they need to be done over by a reputable mechanic before a calamity occurs. This is why it is important to find and continue to use a good independent mechanic who is trustworthy and does what he says.
The camshaft seals may be leaking onto the timing belt. THIS is bad. If oil is getting on the timing belt, it will cause the timing belt to deteriorate and fail (slip, loose teeth). A slipped timing belt will severely damage your engine.
If the engine were leaking, almost, anywhere else, it (a small leak) wouldn’t be a problem.
By: hellokit
The number of places from which a Subaru engine can leak oil is truly amazing. I know because I paid to have an engine resealed. It cost a lot, but it was worth it. The old beast doesn’t leak a drop now.
Oil on the timing belt is a prescription for disaster. The timing belt must be removed to replace the seals, so there’s no reason not to install a new one when everything goes back together. The belt itself is not that expensive, it’s the labor, but the labor is already being expended on the cam seals. Don’t pay twice for the same labor.
If the water pump is only a year old, leave it alone.
If you’re wondering about oil on the timing belt, you can remove the cover and see if the belt has oil on it. If the oil is just running down the engine and not getting on the belt, you could probably put this off for a while, but not forever.