Uh oh. Cam seals? EEK!
 

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Great. I haven't even had my SVX for a month yet and its sprung a leak on me. There are the pictures. The only thing I can think of is that I switched to synthetic. I think synthetic oils are superior to conventional oil in pretty much every way, but there is the issue of it seeping through older seals. What do you guys think? I used Mobil 1 10W30. Think this will go away if its just 'adjusting' to synthetic? Or do you think it'll only get worse? I really didn't want to have to dive head first into engine work, but I guess I will if I have too.

- Ca$h

I went ahead and moved this over to the tech section because It relates to that a little more. :)

Mike

I had the same leak and it turn to be the steering pump.

The oil was leaking slowly near the front seal of the steering pump.

The color of the oil was dark and at first I think that is engine oil so I took apart the timing cover and everything.

Check that. See if you have any trace of oil around your PS. It should be clean,.... very clean.

By the way. I am using synthetic Amsoil 5W30 and I have some leaks around the engine covers. I can clean several drops a month.

I doubt that the seals will "adjust". Mine didn't. I also use Mobile 1 10W-30. But unless you're losing 3 quarts a week, I wouldn't sweat it. I went for a year & a half of minor leaking (drops on driveway) before I had the seals replaced, & this was in conjunction with replacing the timing belt & other stuff that I had done at the same time.

Ron.

Yeah, my PS is leaking. So you think THATS it? I know the PS is leaking, but it really looks like engine oil. :\ I dunno. Either way, I guess I'll find out as I plan to replace the PS O-ring this weekend.

- Ca$h

Make yourself a service and fix first the PS.

In my case (as I said) it was also the PS front seal (is behind the ball bearing)

Yes, the oil wasn't red (as expected) but it was looking dark (like engine oil).
Probably was dark because it was dirty. It was leaking slowly from the PS, behind the timing backcover and dripping from the oil filter and adjacent areas.

PS Front seal? I was under the impression that it is usually the o-ring at fault.

- Ca$h

The O ring is on the inlet side of the pump and leaks air into the pump. The oil seal is on the pressuer side of the pump and leaks oil out. :)
Harvey.;)

However oil can leak from the O ring seal if the O ring is truly sad.

Do you have the part number for the other seal then? I have the Oring.

- Ca$h

I'm thinking he's talking about part number 05 in this diagram

http://www.subaruparts.com/diag/?mod...ategory=346-A2

Which is different from the reservoir O-ring.

Thanks dude. :)

- Ca$h