2001 Legacy B4 - smoke from engine bay

[FaceAche]

So my mechanic has had 4 goes at fixing this. Smoke coming out of the drivers side of the engine bay.

 

First was due to turbo leaking oil, this leaking oil building up and subsequently dripping on to the exhaust. Got a second opinion from another mechanic who also diagnosed a faulty turbo, so had both of the turbos replaced - still the smoke persisted.

 

Mechanic then diagnosed failed rocker cover gasket, and replaced it - the smoke persisted. One of the seals on the rocker cover bolts was apparently at fault and was fixed - the smoke persisted. Failed spark plug gasket was the culprit, suspected faulty gasket kit, so new gasket kit sourced and installed - smoke persists!!!!!

 

Every time i've been told that there would be smoke for a few days when residual oil burned out of the nooks and crannies in the engine bay. Even to my untrained eye, it's seemed like too much smoke for it to be residual oil. I'm currently out $550 for the initial diagnosis which included a warrant and service, $800 for two second hand turbos, $1100 labour to have these turbos fitted, and $375 for the rocker cover gasket replacement. Last two attempts at fixing it have not incurred any charge.

So at this stage, i'm rapidly losing faith. My good friend and ClubSub member, iludez, has suggested it could be an oil line to or from the turbo, but that i should also consult with the helpful members of Club Sub.

 

What do you guys think?  Would Te Rapa Automotive here in Hamilton be the bet place for me to take the car to?  I'd really like my current mechanic to sort it out, as i really don't want to have to pay again, but ultimately i also just want it fixed (so am resigned to the fact that i may have to bite the bullet).

 

Would really appreciate some advice!

 

Here's a vid of what i'm talking about;

 

 

[El_Chado]

What about cam seals leaking oil on the headers?

[boon]

Hrmmmm still skeptical of the rocker cover.

[pedro]

I am with Boon..Nearly always the rocker cover gasket..

[TNHSTI]

1 hour ago, pedro said:

I am with Boon..Nearly always the rocker cover gasket..

 

+1 also if the rocker seals weren't genuine Subaru Seals then they could be still leaking

[Guest]

5 minutes ago, TNHSTI said:

 

+1 also if the rocker seals weren't genuine Subaru Seals then they could be still leaking

 

Or shitty prep. Permaseal are good but it all depends if the surfaces are clean and you only use a tiny dab of silicon where required.

[boon]

I did my last rocker cover gasket with 4 (or is it 8?) teeeny tiny miniscule dabs of silicon, just on the corners of the half-moons.

All genuine gaskets, did the spark plug tube seals and ALL the washers as well.

 

No leaks for me