Sourcing an oil leak, can someone point me in the right direction?

mysvxrocks · #1 08-12-2008, 02:12 PM

Alright, so. In this first pic, its where I think the oil could be comming from. But Im not sure. When I replaced my knock sensor, I got oil on my hand from touching it, and I can just touch it with my finger, and it will get oil all over my finger. Is this where its leaking from maybe? I dont even know what that is...

And in this picture, Im showing the little divots on the top of the block, most of them are filled with oil. Any clues to find my leak? I would like to get it figured out.

Crazy_pilot · #2 08-12-2008, 03:01 PM

Oil is collecting in the bottom of the IRIS chamber. It's not leaking from anywhere, it's being drawn in to the intake through those small black boxes on top of your valve covers, then pooling in the intake manifold, and eventually coming out through that plate under the intake. I'm not sure on cures for this, when was the last time you changed the PCV valve?

mysvxrocks · #3 08-12-2008, 03:11 PM

Well, I never have. As for Patrick, I have no idea.

Hondasucks · #4 08-13-2008, 12:39 AM

Yeah, I'll second that. GRRR @ STIS for being down when I need info! I'm not sure but you might hafta pull the upper plenum off to change the PCV valve, I need to do the same thing to my SVX as it has pretty much the same problem, although mine might be the power steering pump.

dromano · #5 08-13-2008, 06:40 AM

To change the PCV valve you will need the correct size crows foot wrench, a universal socket, extension and ratchet. It is located at the rear of the top of the engine, in the middle under the throttle body. It's not the easiest part to change, cause you can't see it. It's all about feel

Crazy_pilot · #6 08-13-2008, 08:40 AM

^^^What he said. It's just a complete PITA. Go figure Subaru would put a regular maintenance item in such a bad location.

I'm stealing some pictures from SVXRide's old locker here:

The crow's foot is 19mm, I believe.

When I do mine I will be pulling the intake right off, because I want to replace as many of the old vacuum lines as I can, as well as open the IRIS and clean it out properly.

dromano · #7 08-13-2008, 09:05 AM

Yes sir re bob, it's a wonderful location, kinda makes ya feel like Houdini :-)

Great idea taping the c/f to the extension!

dromano · #8 08-13-2008, 09:08 AM

What's involved in cleaning the iris?

Crazy_pilot · #9 08-13-2008, 10:27 AM

I figure just open it up, get any oil out, maybe a quick shot of parts cleaner and a good wipe down.

mysvxrocks · #10 08-13-2008, 01:27 PM

How much work is involved when taking the intake off? I want to see the lines under mine as well.... Dont know whats missing, and I know something under there is.

mysvxrocks · #11 08-30-2008, 07:45 PM

So theres quite a few questions, lol.

Alright, so I got the valve replaced and got that portion of the engine cleaned back up. So from what I can tell as of now, this didnt fix the oil comming down. It doesnt seem as fast as before, but if I put my finger on the bottom of the IRIS chamber, I will still get fresh oil on my hand. So is there no gasket on the bottom of the chamber somewhere? From what I can see, it is removable, at least once the intake manifold is off. Or is this going to be something that I will just have to live with?

On the note of my last post. I would like to put in all new lines under the manifold, but am afraid of taking it off. I dont know how much work is involved, and I dont know what lines go where and what not. Do you have to order special little hoses from Subaru? Or can you use some that you can buy by the foot at AutoZone? I would like to get them replaced, and make sure they are all actually there... and I would also like to get to the rear knock sensor, along with a couple of other things that I can see need done. How long would it take to get the intake off, put new lines on, and get it cleaned up and put back together? Is this like a day long process, or will it take a couple of days? Ive searched to see if I can find a how to on removing the intake, but no luck on my end. It looks like all you really have to do it unbolt it on both sides, unbolt the fuel rails, unbolt the tb and disconnect a few hoses. Do I pretty much have it down?

Thanks for the help, and just a note... That PCV valve is a @*&%$ to replace, lol.

WestCoastSVX · #12 08-31-2008, 01:05 PM

I would also like to know about taking all this apart, removing the intake manifold, etc.

Mainly because when I went to replace the PCV valve a year ago, the success of that involved destroying another hose. The hose is Norm-rigged together with some spare tubes, but to replace it I need to take everything apart and get in there. All of that and I still get an error code that the PCV valve is bad!

There have been several posts with pics of polished intake manifolds, but no one has ever stepped up with a step by step. All I have heard is it is "difficult", probably why no one wants to write a how-to.

I'm not even sure what all happens when you get in there - removing FUEL rails, I mean does this involve gasoline coming out, etc????

SVXMAN2001 · #13 08-31-2008, 02:09 PM

It is a very time consuming job for someone that has not done it before, first off you have to disconnect the fuel pump (underneath the rear seat) to depressurize the fuel lines. After that yes its pretty much intuitive to removing the manifold, however, the manifold has engine harness wires that are connected underneath that you must get disconnected, btw there is very little clearance to do this (lifting up the throttle body and getting your hands underneath there to do it).

As for replacing the hoses, someone posted up a spreadsheet of what hose lengths to get at autozone as well as subaru part numbers, clearly the cheaper route is autozone. But its all in the how to section i believe, if not just search "intake manifold vacuum lines" or something to that affect.

VICSVX · #14 08-31-2008, 04:17 PM

hmmm, i have the same problem.

i think i'll change my PCV too.....

mysvxrocks · #15 08-31-2008, 04:42 PM

Have fun with that! I got so ticked off when I did mine... I went to 5 different stores looking for that damn crows foot wrench! Then I got a bent ratchet that helped out a bit as well. Seems like theres quite a few people with the same problem. Maybe we could compile the work we all do into some kind of how to? It would be nice to get on for the removal of the intake...

Hey Troy, were close enough, maybe we could tackle the project together? Just a thought, as two people is better than one