leaking camshaft seals on 98 outback

gazcull · Post by **gazcull** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:35 pm

hi all , about a year ago i did a top end overhaul of my 1998 outback , the heads were rebuilt and skimmed by my local head shop and i put it all back together, just recently i realized that the engine was smelling of burning and once i removed the belly pan found an oil leak towards the front of the right hand side of the engine seemingly coming from the lower camshaft seal then dripping on the exhaust, after checking it out i noticed the other side was leaking in the same place but just not as bad. obviously its quite a job to replace those seals and the rocker cover gaskets so i was wondering if there was any reason for them leaking so quickly (after 12000kms) , did i do something wrong ? i don't think i used genuine seals/gasket set due to cost, any thoughts much appreciated, cheers

FROG · Post by **FROG** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:51 pm

2.5 litre?
cam seals are only 9 bucks retail
$7.18 to AUSubaru members

gazcull · Post by **gazcull** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 2:32 pm

i think i just used the seals that came with the engine gasket set

Post by **TOONGA** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 9:28 pm

gazcull wrote:i think i just used the seals that came with the engine gasket set

Yep the aftermarket cam seals are prone to failure.

The original seals work a treat.

TOONGA

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 10:42 pm

Also be sure to prime the seals with a rubber or plastic grease so they're not running dry on initial start after fitting.

Cheers

Bennie

FujiFan · Post by **FujiFan** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 2:33 am

Yep the aftermarket cam seals are prone to failure.

The original seals work a treat.

+1
Or at least source Japanese made, in which case just go through FROG.
Damn good price at whats quoted. Its a shame the labour to replace them is massive

Some of the seals,gaskets and o'rings in a gasket set are just junk from experience. Some are really good, particularly when they are NLA genuine.

Also be sure to prime the seals with a rubber or plastic grease so they're not running dry on initial start after fitting.

+1
This makes a big difference.

J.

gazcull · Post by **gazcull** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 7:57 pm

cool thanks guys , dont think i primed them and i used the seals from the gasket set. so hopefully with both them sorted should be good, shame its such a big job

Suby Spanner · Post by **Suby Spanner** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 1:37 pm

I'm a bit late but make sure the crankcase breathing system is working properly: If that ain't doing it's job, you'll be forever chasing oil leaks: Something most guys forget to check.