Possible engine oil leak? Pics inside

plucky · 06-08-2008, 08:10 AM

So i've being having the normal trouble of loss of 1quart of oil every 2-3k miles, 05 STi. I thought this was normal seeing as how I auto-x the car and spirited driving. But then early this year I managed to find this problem, see pics below:
I thought it might have being oil I spilled the prior oil change so I cleaned it up, but this weekend when I did my next oil change i'm seeing the same spot with oil.

And the below pic shows where the oils drips onto the splash guard:

I looked around on this site and nasioc and I have an idea that it might be a bad seal? But this would require taking the engine apart and then re-sealing it. Just wanted to get some input on this as I know this isn't covered under warranty and or/ if there is a quick remedy. One thread a person mentioned putting some oil leak/gunk in with the engine oil and it stopped the leaking.

SAx COLIN STi · 06-08-2008, 09:54 AM

To me, that looks like it's coming from the timing cover. Which may or may not indicate a bad cam seal. How many miles are on it? As far as putting anything but motor oil in the engine, I wouldn't if it were my car.

plucky · 06-08-2008, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAx COLIN STi

To me, that looks like it's coming from the timing cover. Which may or may not indicate a bad cam seal. How many miles are on it? As far as putting anything but motor oil in the engine, I wouldn't if it were my car.

Gone 30k miles on it. Sigh..i guess i gotta setup a weekend to take everything apart.

SAx COLIN STi · 06-08-2008, 02:28 PM

You can always have the dealer just check the oil leak, see what they think it is. The leak could be coming from somewhere higher up since that looks like the bottom of the timing cover to me.
Did you check for a leak higher up?

supar6 · 06-08-2008, 02:51 PM

+1 on not putting anything but motor oil in it. I'd also second just brining it in to the dealership and seeing what they have to say about it. Worst case scenario they tell you where the problem is and best case scenario they cover it. Granted I'm not even close to a rookie mechanic so - that's what I'd do.

jutes85 · 06-08-2008, 03:28 PM

Warrenty is 36k miles or 3 years. You are still covered under powertrain warrenty which is 60k/5 years.

allwheelsdriven · 06-08-2008, 05:03 PM

i just had a similar leak fixed on my 04 under the powertrain warranty

plucky · 06-09-2008, 04:26 AM

Thats what I kinda fear of doing because i've never taken the car to the dealership for service, i've done everything myself on the car including all the mods I have on the car (turbo back, accessport stg2, springs, swaybars, brakes). But taking apart the outer workings of the engine for this problem seems over my head, I might just have to bite the bullet on it and send it there.

06-08-2008, 08:10 AM	#1
plucky Amateur STI Driver Location: ATL Posts: 19 Join Date: Aug 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Possible engine oil leak? Pics inside So i've being having the normal trouble of loss of 1quart of oil every 2-3k miles, 05 STi. I thought this was normal seeing as how I auto-x the car and spirited driving. But then early this year I managed to find this problem, see pics below: I thought it might have being oil I spilled the prior oil change so I cleaned it up, but this weekend when I did my next oil change i'm seeing the same spot with oil. And the below pic shows where the oils drips onto the splash guard: I looked around on this site and nasioc and I have an idea that it might be a bad seal? But this would require taking the engine apart and then re-sealing it. Just wanted to get some input on this as I know this isn't covered under warranty and or/ if there is a quick remedy. One thread a person mentioned putting some oil leak/gunk in with the engine oil and it stopped the leaking. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

06-08-2008, 09:54 AM	#2
SAx COLIN STi Amateur STI Driver Car: Blue 04 WRX STi Fav Mod: Brum brumm.. pop Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 26 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Possible engine oil leak? Pics inside To me, that looks like it's coming from the timing cover. Which may or may not indicate a bad cam seal. How many miles are on it? As far as putting anything but motor oil in the engine, I wouldn't if it were my car.

06-08-2008, 02:28 PM	#4
SAx COLIN STi Amateur STI Driver Car: Blue 04 WRX STi Fav Mod: Brum brumm.. pop Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 26 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Possible engine oil leak? Pics inside You can always have the dealer just check the oil leak, see what they think it is. The leak could be coming from somewhere higher up since that looks like the bottom of the timing cover to me. Did you check for a leak higher up?

06-08-2008, 02:51 PM	#5
supar6 Amateur STI Driver Car: 2005 WRX STi Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 19 Join Date: May 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Possible engine oil leak? Pics inside +1 on not putting anything but motor oil in it. I'd also second just brining it in to the dealership and seeing what they have to say about it. Worst case scenario they tell you where the problem is and best case scenario they cover it. Granted I'm not even close to a rookie mechanic so - that's what I'd do.

06-08-2008, 03:28 PM	#6
jutes85 Silver Member Car: 2006 OBP STi Fav Mod: DOM3 Paperweight Location: Alberta Posts: 1,426 Join Date: Sep 2006 Trader Rating: (7)	Re: Possible engine oil leak? Pics inside Warrenty is 36k miles or 3 years. You are still covered under powertrain warrenty which is 60k/5 years.

06-08-2008, 05:03 PM	#7
allwheelsdriven Spec C Club Car: 04 WRB STi Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,175 Join Date: Jan 2004 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: Possible engine oil leak? Pics inside i just had a similar leak fixed on my 04 under the powertrain warranty

06-09-2008, 04:26 AM	#8
plucky Amateur STI Driver Location: ATL Posts: 19 Join Date: Aug 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Possible engine oil leak? Pics inside Thats what I kinda fear of doing because i've never taken the car to the dealership for service, i've done everything myself on the car including all the mods I have on the car (turbo back, accessport stg2, springs, swaybars, brakes). But taking apart the outer workings of the engine for this problem seems over my head, I might just have to bite the bullet on it and send it there. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.