Infamous Subaru Valve Cover Gaskets
 

Do they leak more based on age or mileage? At what age/mileage do you expect to see them start to noticably drip to the point where you see a spot on the driveway/garage? Is there any difference between the H4 and H6 engines?

Our Tribeca has hit 127K miles and 8 years. I have been somewhat surprised at how dry it has stayed up to now. The valve cover gaskets are starting to drip and the headgasket "might" be leaking oil externally too. Both are very slow leaks right now. The car has a timing chain so I haven't done anything with that, the water pump or the cam or crank seals yet. The car is due for new plugs, ATF, diff fluid and coolant. I'm wondering if it would make sense to just have my mechanic pull the engine and reseal everything and maybe put in a new water pump. I have no idea if they used a better water pump in this car since it has a timing chain. If not, that sucker is a ticking time bomb.

Thoughts?

Re: Infamous Subaru Valve Cover Gaskets
 

Tony, the ez engines seem much better based on what I've seen. On all of the 4cyl, every 60-75k miles at most us typical.