Burning oil / Smoke

[Ben]

Hi all,

Well i took my car to town today and kept thinking I was getting a faint smell of oil. When i returned home i noticed oil fumes coming out of my scoop. Upon opening the bonnet i was unable to see where exactly the oil fumes were coming from. The smoke was roughly coming from between the turbo and the coolant header tank. Any ideas?

I thought for a second that the oil was burning off the turbo but it seems to be coming from lower down the engine bay.

I have a 2000 WRX V7 - Non STI with 130,000kms on it

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers

Ben

[DRFVDR]

You have a case of the LTC,( leaking tappet covers ) it is common on Subarus, u will need about 3 hrs and a full set of tappet covers and bolt sealing washers

[Ben]

Is this a do it yourself job? Or would the engine need to be taken out to gain access. Upon further inspection I believe the smoke is coming from the bottom of the engine below the coolant header tank? . . . hmmm

[Stoffa]

yeah sounds like it, the oil drips from the vavle covers and drips onto the exhaust manifold, run your hand under the covers (below where the spark plus are) and see if there a build up of fresh oil.

Not too hard to do yourself but make sure you buy genuine seals and washers as aftermarket ones dont last as long and the seals dont fit as well.

[rex-leggy]

i agree with this also it happens to them all

+1 on genuine seals. you can get good deals through armstrong subaru on trademe.

also heres a how to that was made by a user on here.

http://www.clubsub.org.nz/forum/index.php/topic,24153.msg336540.html#msg336540

i recken give it a crack yourself

[Ben]

Great guys, thanks for your help. Its always a good thing when you have a problem with your car and 99% of the time you know the answer will be found from the wealth of knowledgable people on this site =). Will let you know how I get on!

[Ben]

Well turns out it was the seals that had gone. Replaced with genuine parts at a total cost of $80. Nicely done, thanks guys

[Stoffa]

sounds a little cheap, did they replace the washers as well? as they compress with heat/age so your new seals may end up leaking again. if they do just replace the washers