Well I finally found the source of my oil leak and it looks like its coming from the passenger side valve cover gasket. Has anyone replaced one of these or know how difficult it would be?
Valve cover gasket leaking
V8Huntr
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yep..
Good thing...I was freaking out thinking that it was my oil return line or something with my turbo. 
I had a '93 impreza L up until last summer and I had to replace the passenger side valve cover gasket also(bad smell but no smoking), anyways... thanks for the quick response.
I had a '93 impreza L up until last summer and I had to replace the passenger side valve cover gasket also(bad smell but no smoking), anyways... thanks for the quick response.
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421 Posts
Wow, looks like this is a common thing. I discovered (what seems to be) a leak from the passenger side valve cover. I'm gonna get a replacement gasket from local Subaru (<$50 for all three gaskets on passenger side) and try this project soon.
For the record, I have an '05 STi with 75k on the odometer.
For the record, I have an '05 STi with 75k on the odometer.
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2,928 Posts
Don't forget the Fuji Bond
So, I got mine in...very easy, very nice job if I do say so myself (used some honda bond). Then my car wouldn't rev above 3k; found out my turbo seal went as I saw a bunch of oil flowing into my intake. sad day. Anyways, it is very normal for these things to go by 80k miles, the gasket is right over the exhaust. took 85k for my 04 WRX pass valve cover to go and about 150k on my 93 impreza L(much less heat in that case).
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I most likely think I have bad valve cover gaskets. When i drive around for a bit, I get that smell and then i start getting the white smoke from turbo area. Been doing a lot of research on this because I cant figure it out. But reading more and more I think it might be my valve cover gasket.
Just accomplished this repair on the passenger side. I have 137,000 miles.
It was leaking...didn't drip on the floor, but could smell it occasionally after shutdown especially if you popped the hood and stuck your nose in. When it does drip...it drips on to the exhaust...why it doesn't make it to the floor...
Basically, it is the oil return in the heads (no pressure) so it just slowly drips out once past the hardened seals (likely on the passenger side first due to the exhaust pipes heat on that side).
To confirm if you have a leak...or at least wet...you can reach your hand/arm down the backside of the cylinder head (passenger side) when it is cold! and check for oil residue. There should be none ideally...if wet then it is leaking.
Only issue I had was when removing the cover...a good bit of draining oil came out and onto the exhaust pipe/heat shield. Afterward I degreased that part of the engine...it still resulted in much smoke as the stuff evaporated/burned off. Almost thought I had made the leak worse!
It was leaking...didn't drip on the floor, but could smell it occasionally after shutdown especially if you popped the hood and stuck your nose in. When it does drip...it drips on to the exhaust...why it doesn't make it to the floor...
Basically, it is the oil return in the heads (no pressure) so it just slowly drips out once past the hardened seals (likely on the passenger side first due to the exhaust pipes heat on that side).
To confirm if you have a leak...or at least wet...you can reach your hand/arm down the backside of the cylinder head (passenger side) when it is cold! and check for oil residue. There should be none ideally...if wet then it is leaking.
Only issue I had was when removing the cover...a good bit of draining oil came out and onto the exhaust pipe/heat shield. Afterward I degreased that part of the engine...it still resulted in much smoke as the stuff evaporated/burned off. Almost thought I had made the leak worse!
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11,143 Posts
So maybe drain the oil before removing the cam covers for seal replacement?
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Most likely yep.There's probably still going to be residual oil in the heads, under the valve cover. When I pulled my covers, the oil was drained, and oil still went everywhere
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116 Posts
Turns out my problem was the turbo oil drain gasket for the tube. All is well now.
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1,571 Posts
Thread necro. My 06 is at 105k miles and found that my passenger side is going as well. Since 95k or so my engine oil consumption went up from 0.5 qt per 3k miles to 1.5-2 qt per 3k miles. I thought my turbo seals were going but was glad to find out it was just this.
Looks like the majority of folks here are having an issue with passenger side moreso than the driver side..
I wonder why?
Looks like the majority of folks here are having an issue with passenger side moreso than the driver side..
I wonder why?
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