Help Please: Oil Leak? but not Low on Oil according to Dipstick?

[NACZ3]

I just moved back to San Diego from Virginia and was driving my car to get it smog tested. (my car was shipped in a closed moving truck and I didn't drive it here. I had just passed VA inspection and have to get it CA smogged). I ran like hell for 10-15 minutes on the freeway and then when I pulled off, there was smoke but no oil lights, etc.

I pulled into a mechanic that a friend of mine uses for her acura called Wolf's foreign car service and there was oil leaking from both sides below the engine. The front suspension has been covered in oil but I check the oil regularly and have added too much one time or another since the car was on a slight incline and read low when it wasn't.

I do have the issue where the dipstick pops up. Could this all be due to the PCV needing replacement--it's the only thing that comes up from the search.
If I've added a quarter quart too much, would the oil system relieve the excess?

I'm taking the car in tomorrow for the mechanic to check it once he has it on the lift. Anyone know of any good SVX mechanics in the San Diego area.

Any help is appreciated on this. I hate to spend money on a gasket replacement and not know if the car will still pass emissions.

Thanks,
Nick

[ensteele]

Nick - did you change the type of oil you have been using? If your dipstick pops up, I would change your PCV valve, but you probably need to change the O ring on it as well. That will help keep it from popping up. I haven't heard of oil being dumped out of the engine if it is overfilled. I would thing it is gaskets leaking which is common with these engines. Good luck.

[NACZ3]

No change on the oil type.

It is the crankshaft gasket and the valve gaskets. Also had a high pressure side powersteering hose leak. Total repairs of $1287 for crankshaft gasket to include water pump replacement and timing belt replacement, valve gaskets, and power steering hose to include parts. From my experience in VA and in SD previously, this seems reasonable. I haven't had much luck with the Subaru dealership here in the past.

Took the car in and it passed smog with flying colors with the oil leaks so I'm having the repairs done as I'd like to keep my car as long as possible. Now I have to find a way to replace the resonators in the exhaust--they're rattling. I was hoping it was the heat shields but it wasnt.