Massive smoke and oil leak.

[DavieGravy]

I noticed smoke comming from under the front right wheel when parking today. I popped the hood and the smoke was oil that had leaked onto hot pipes. I checked the oil in the engine and oil filter and they were fine. All dipsticks where where they should be. It seemed to be comming from the back, passenger side of the engine compartment. Tranny?
Here are some pics. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...ravy/10226.jpg

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...ravy/10227.jpg

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...ravy/10228.jpg

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...ravy/10229.jpg

Edit: I think it's coming from the dipstick for the diff. It's too hot for me to stick my hands in their right now to test it's loosness, but we'll see.

[DavieGravy]

Not diff. Torque converter.

[mohrds]

Your torque converter is leaking?

It looks more like a rear crank seal or front diff input shaft seal to me.

Doug

[DavieGravy]

You could be right, but the dipstick on the passenger side of the engine compartment (opposite from the tranny dipstick) is sitting loose. Could it be that? This one. #28
http://www.subaruparts.com/diag/?mod...category=156-A

[benebob]

Originally posted by DavieGravy
You could be right, but the dipstick on the passenger side of the engine compartment (opposite from the tranny dipstick) is sitting loose. Could it be that? This one. #28
http://www.subaruparts.com/diag/?mod...category=156-A

The front dif dipstick is loose? Not sure on the SVX but a lot of other Subies use the dipstick as the vent. There's a little hole in it that kinda has a sort of valve to keep stuff from getting in. If it clogs it'll pop up so the dif can breath. You can try taking it off and cleaning the top part. In reality though I wouldn't think this would be the cause of your smoke. It seems like it would just be something that was just noticed now. I'd kinda favor Dougs ideas or even possibly a leaky valve cover that's flowing back.

[DavieGravy]

If something like that's the case, then it's off to the mechanic. I'd just hate to go to the trouble of having it towed if it's something as simple as the dipstick. So if the dipstick was loose but in it's place, is there no way oil could have spewed past it? Is that correct?

[benebob]

Originally posted by DavieGravy
If something like that's the case, then it's off to the mechanic. I'd just hate to go to the trouble of having it towed if it's something as simple as the dipstick. So if the dipstick was loose but in it's place, is there no way oil could have spewed past it? Is that correct?

Well anything is possible. How much oil is in it? That's a good test? Take it off and clean it up then put it back it. It is just a vent so it should clean up fine. Make sure its full and start it up for a bit. Might even want to hose the area off to get some of the oil out. If that was the culprit though I would suspect it would run down the dipstick holer side.

[DavieGravy]

I cleaned off the stick and reinserted it to check the oil with engine off. It reads full.
However, the dipstick simply rests in there. It's totally loose. Infact so loose, I'm reluctant to hose the area off as I don't want to get water in there. Also, there is no breather hole on the diff dipstick. Here's a few pics of that but they're not very good.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...ravy/10230.jpg

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...ravy/10231.jpg

As far as oil running down the side of the hole, I can't really tell. I guess it might be possible that it all burned off?

[DavieGravy]

Sorry, I don't mean to be overly picture happy, but there were a couple of red fluid drips on this piece under the car. Quite simply, I think the tranny might be leaking and it could have nothing to do with the diff dipstick.

Edit: this wouldn't explain the oil in the front. I don't know, I think I'll just have it towed since it's free.

Sorry to ask such as stupid question Davey...What does the smoke smell like?? Oil or tranny fluid?

[DavieGravy]

That's not a stupid question at all. The smoke seemed odorless but I could see what looked like engine oil on the pipes underneath the car. Around the diff dipstick hole, it's very greasy and dirty but I don't konw if that's from oil dripping out or not.

I kind of noticed some odorless smoke several weeks ago in the drive though, but it was a quick wafe and I wasn't sure if it was my car or the car in front.
I'd laugh if it was the drain pipe for the AC but I think there was too much smoke for that.

[DavieGravy]

yep, clean engine oil (might be dirty tranny fluid) spewed along the bottom of the car. Crap!

[SVXRide]

Originally posted by DavieGravy
I cleaned off the stick and reinserted it to check the oil with engine off. It reads full.
However, the dipstick simply rests in there. It's totally loose. Infact so loose, I'm reluctant to hose the area off as I don't want to get water in there. Also, there is no breather hole on the diff dipstick. Here's a few pics of that but they're not very good.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...ravy/10230.jpg

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...ravy/10231.jpg

As far as oil running down the side of the hole, I can't really tell. I guess it might be possible that it all burned off?

Davie,
The dipstick shouldn't be loose unless the o-ring (close to the tip of your pinkie in the picture) is worn out - you might want to replace the o-ring.
-Bill

[DavieGravy]

Thanks Bill. I proabbly will. Unfortunately though, I think this problem is a power steering fluid leak. I think the pump may have taken a crap. The fluid was real low so I filled it up and took it for a test drive. Upon returning, it was smoking pretty bad. At any rate, I'll post back what the mechanic finds. It's going in on Thursday.

Dave.

[SVXRide]

No problem. Make sure to post what you mechanic says..I replaced the entire steering rack and the low and high pressure lines on mine.
-Bill