Subaru EJ22 (legacy) oil leak?

Its a 1996 legacy, and a couple years ago the engine was replaced with another junkyard engine because the original one was worn out (burned enough oil it wouldn't pass emissions testing). I had to change the oil pan on the new engine, and it always leaked a little bit, then eventually started leaking 1+ quarts per tank of gas. It was driven for at least 6 months like this, so as you can imagine the entire underside of the car is covered in oil. I want to fix it now but I'm not sure where all to look to fix the leaks. Im pretty sure the pan is leaking, and I can also see there is a large amount of oil leaking out of the timing cover. Are there other common places on these engines that can cause that big of an oil leak? This engine also had the crank pulley come loose and chew up the end of the crankshaft, but I don't know if that would really make a difference or not.

Crank seal, cam seals, oil pump on some models, the plate on the back of the engine behind the flywheel and, of course, the head gaskets.

NAPA sells dye that fluoresces with a UV light that you can add to your oil. We use it at work regularly. Degreaser, brake cleaner, elbow grease, etc. everything, then add dye to oil. Drive it for a few days, then get the black light out and start looking for the source of the leak(s).

• Lee

ddavidv wrote: Crank seal, cam seals, oil pump on some models, the plate on the back of the engine behind the flywheel and, of course, the head gaskets.

Don't forget the cam covers. Mine is currently leaking on the right side.

Yes. They all leak. From everywhere.

Clean it with Simple Green, drive it and get it oily and dirty. Or you can do the dye trick.

Mine leaked from the cam covers and the breathers...100 miles after a fresh rebuild with all new seals.

My EJ25 was leaking from the headgaskets down the cross member and onto the exhaust. It also landed on the steering rack and oil pan, which was a little bit misleading. Doing the headgaskets in-car wasn't too bad, but I'm told pulling the engine isn't that much more difficult. You might need to pull it if its truly your oil pan or the separator plate.

Every older Subaru I and/or my wife have owned has had an oil leak. My Brighton's EJ18 was terrible but I beat the piss out of it and, honestly, I didn't take very good care of it. Her '93 L leaked a tiny bit and my Brighton's EJ22 has a leak that is getting a lot worse, very quickly.

Once the Mark VII is DD-able I'll probably yank the Scoob's engine and throw a set of gaskets and seals on it. Pulling the engine one an older Subaru is a piece of cake.

I guess I will just have to look the best i can then pull the engine and fix whatever looks the worst. I know they all leak, but this one leaks waay too bad to drive anymore like it is. Its mainly just to sell it anyway, my dad doesn't really need it anymore.

In reply to mikeatrpi : my 2000 Outback does the exact same thing, leaks in the same spots as well. I already did the spark plug tube seals and valve cover gaskets but haven't done any other seals. The smell is consistently getting slightly worse. If I don't have the ability to pull the engine is it possible to just leave it?

They do not all leak.  Did 2 head gaskets last year, one for use one for selling.  Resealed the oil pan, cam seals and checked the breather plate.  Neither one leaked after three months, one I kept is still leak free a year later.  Make sure everything is clean, use the suby sealer and torque properly.  Worked for me.

I forgot how long ago this was, I actually still have the car and it has about another 75k miles on it.  It has never really stopped leaking oil for long though, I have pulled the engine and resealed anything obvious multiple times, but there are always more that aren't noticeable until the other leaks are fixed.