DIY Timing cover leak repair?
 

I've got a pretty decent timing cover/valve cover leak and not only do I doubt the dealership is going to honor a warranty on any part of my car, but I also just don't trust them. So I'm trying to compile all the information and parts I'll need to get the engine sealed up myself, but I've found next to no info from people that have done it. The FSM is helpful but bland as always. Has anyone done this that can share some advice learned during the process? Obviously there are plenty of seals and O-rings to buy before hand, valve cover gaskets and such. Are there any that aren't so obvious that would be easy to over look?

I'm also curious as to whether anyone has tried an alternate sealant that worked out well. I'm sure most will say the factory sealant is the only option but I'm not convinced considering how many failures I see reported. Might RTV Black be better? Does it need red? Any other suggestions? I definitely want to use the very best sealant I can that will have the lowest chance of leaking in the future.

It's pretty involved to reseal it yourself. Lots of engine parts have to come out: air box, crank pulley, alternator, A/C compressor, water pump, header, part of engine harness just to access the 25+ bolts that hold the front timing cover on. It is a royal PITA if you're attempting to do it yourself.

For sealant, Subaru has Fujibond. There's also something called Threebond. And Hondabond is a pretty good sealant as well from my working on Honda days.

Here's the TSB for it: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...&postcount=187

I'm actually planning to just pull the engine out and do a new valve cover gasket on one side and spark plugs all at once and have plenty of space to make sure to get everything clean and perfect. Half the reason I'm not going to the dealer is that I don't want it to ever leak again haha.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Well, CoolHandMoss, have you had experience taking a newer engine apart and putting it back together ... ??

Not doubting your ability ...... just curious.....;)


humfrz

No, but I borrowed a tool kit from my dad so I'm set. :thumbsup:

Yes, tools are a good start ..... :thumbsup:

Does your dad live close and is he an experienced automobile mechanic .....??

Or, do you have a friend that is a auto mechanic ...??


humfrz

Wait, do tinker toys count? :iono:

Tinker toys don't count but having an erector set would count......;)

Seriously, I'd just hate to see you get in over your head on this project .... :iono:


humfrz

Thanks for the concern.

Now, has anyone done this specific project that wouldn't mind sharing some experience based insight?

I pulled the engine to reseal it, doing plugs sucked enough. It’s really straightforward if you’ve worked on other rwd cars, try removing the transmission and if that gives you hell just put everything back because resealing the engine is a beast on its own even after you pull it out of the bay. [emoji1360][emoji1360][emoji1360][emoji1360]

So what sealant did you use? Did it work well?

DIY Timing cover leak repair?
 

Whatever subaru gave me at the parts counter... i wanna say it was a plain white or grey tube. I did my drivers side valve cover at the same time and so far (11k miles) it’s been leak free

Good deal. Thanks for weighing in. I'm all ears if you think of any other advice.

I would imagine that you could reseal the timing cover on the car with all the accessory pulleys, radiator, condenser, crash beam, and upper radiator support beam removed.

As for what seals are required, I’d refer to the service manual for that...


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As stated in the original post, I have already referred to the service manual. And I'm not quite sure I feel so good about getting a valve cover off with the engine in the car.

I get the impression no one has any actual experience with this. Hahaha. Mine is leaking too and wouldn't mind a parts list from someone who has actually done this.

As for sealant, if I recall correctly from reading around here, Subaru changed from Threebond to Fujibond. Not sure if Fujibond is actually doing a better job though. This isn't the sort of job I would be interested in doing every 50k.

I'm getting the same impression!

Looking at the parts diagrams, it looks like quite a few o-rings and seals will be necessary. When I do this I will post a thread with a parts list and other info for sure.

As far as sealant, I'm honestly inclined to try RTV Ultra Black. I can't find anything special about what the factory used other than that it's notorious to fail.

DIY Timing cover leak repair?
 

🤷🏻*♂️sealant is sealant. I just did a small bead around the cover and it’s been fine, tbh i think you guys are overthinking it. I did change my cam seals and VC but everything else i reused🤷🏻*♂️

Well that's good to hear. I didn't expect it to be crazy hard or anything but I'm just trying to be prepared.

Bump. Anyone else done this? I just ordered every o-ring and gasket that I thought I might need based on parts diagrams.

Checking in to see if you've done this project yet? I ask because I just did a rebuild and figured I could help with any questions you may have. As for o'rings there are only 4 to replace.

1 x SU00302186 : $2
3 x SU00302183 : $1.40 each

Then you need one tube of TreeBond 1217H : $20 with free shipping on Amazon. I ordered 3 tubes of this stuff for my rebuild because I didn't know how far it would go. In the end I only used 2 tubes. But if you're only doing the timing cover then one is more than enough. The timing cover only has one bead size so you don't have to do multiple cuts on the nozzle which is nice. The packing seal also fits in a standard calk gun so it's very easy to apply.

I did the job with the engine out, doing it in the engine bay seems like it would be challenging though. One thing I didn't do that I would probably do if I had to do it all over is insert the longer bolts (the ones in the far corners) into the timing cover to use as a guide then putting the cover back on. You don't want to place it improperly because it will smear the packing seal all over the place which would turn into a big pain in the ass. I had someone help spot me as I placed it back on the engine so I didn't miss place it.

I have not done it yet. I'm planning to wait til the fall and maybe do new rod bearings while I'm at it. So thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.

I have to ask though, with all the failures on these valve covers, do you really think threebond is the best sealant? I can't help but think that if they'd used something better there wouldn't be so many leaking timing covers.

There is a big gap where the heads bolt to the block where it doesn't align perfectly. The only perfect solution would be to bolt the heads on and then machine the matting surface down so it's completely flat. With the gap that's there we are asking a lot of the RTV. Maybe another brand would do a better job but who knows. If mine leaks again I may try another brand.

Cam Leak Repair
 

My car was out of warranty so I jacked the front up, left it for a few days so oil could drain away from timing chain cover, cleaned it all up real good, applied automotive RTV in layers over several nights whilst also using a heat lamp to help speed up curing for a few hours each night. Has been on car over 1 year & it appears to have worked thus far. Fingers crossed.


Repair on #2 piston/RHS looking at the front of the car.

When I first started reading this I thought you were saying you removed the timing cover and used this method to seal it back up. Hahaha.

This sounds like a WAY better fix than pulling the cover and running the risk of over doing the packing and running into oiling issues. Even if it only lasts a few years.

Thanks for sharing this.

Welp, ZZT86, that looks like a "Bubba fix" to me …. :eyebulge:

But, hey, if it works … it works … :thumbsup:


humfrz

@ZZT86 , I'm confused …. was it the valve cover or the timing chain cover you patched up ..??


humfrz

Timing cover is what’s in the pictures. Bank 2 down at the bottom seems to be where they typically leak. That’s where mine was leaking too. I was seriously considering your sponge fix though. Hahaha. Would still loose oil but maybe keep the mess to a minimum.

@humfrz - good pickup on that typo, it was the timing chain cover edge which wept slightly & hey you're 100% correct - if it works it works, only cost me a few bucks in RTV :cheers:

Yep, I think that @ZZT86 patch system is a more better solution than the sponge trick … :D


humfrz

@ZZT86 how is your seal-from-the-outside holding up?

I may end up trying this since I think I have a leak in the same area.
Even if I eventually have to remove the timing cover to re-seal the whole thing this attempt isn't a lot of effort or difficult to clean up.

I got this to try but then my car got totaled. My current BRZ does not leak significantly so I never got to try it.

https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-8209...gateway&sr=8-2

Just an idea.

I didn't even know that existed. But I think the space down on the lower driver's side timing cover might be a little cramped to use that accurately. (?)
EDIT: I think this thing comes with a straw so maybe it's not a bad idea.

I still have to clean off the area and get a definitive answer before I take on any task but nice to know that product exists.

Also of interest

I've used that on a bunch of stuff including plumbing at home and it works great.

I think they should have issued a can of that stuff from the factory with our cars - ;)


humfrz

Haha

I think the permatex stuff is as good of an option as any for attempts at repair without disassembly. It is specifically designed for the purpose. I was unable to locate any locally though even after checking around extensively. I would advise that if you want to try it, just save yourself the trouble and order it.

Was fine after 1year+, no leaks. I have since had the dreaded valve spring jobie done on my car & so all that good work went down the toilet replaced by Subarus famous ThreeBond gray sealant. Car still running after 1000+kms . . . . I'll give it another 1000 before I call it a success, but even then you just never know with FIPG.

Hey all, so I'm fixing my timing cover leak. As an update, you could do it while the engine is in the car, but you'll have a very very hard time removing the old rtv. Especially where the water pump is. How I am doing it is I removed the engine and have it on a stand. I did it this way because my valve covers were leaking too. It's a lot easier to do it with the engine out (obviously), but it's still difficult. I would suggest getting a gasket kit or order the individual o rings. Next you'll have to rtv the entire cover and then 4 spots inside the cover.

This is a painstakingly long process. Oh and also, there's a torquing pattern when you put the cover on. Cleaning the rtv off is taking most of my time and I was actually surprised that from factory, there is a crap-ton of rtv. Good luck to anyone that's doing it while it's in the car. For me, I've already spent a good 12 hours on it, with removing the engine, replacing my valves covers and halfway with the timing cover.

You can soften it with brake cleaner or acetone. Then use a brass bristled brush to get it off. I also recommend getting some 6 inch long 8 x 1.25 threaded bolts and cutting them off and grinding the ends to points. Then screwing them to the block to help guide the cover on. There are 32 bolts on the timing cover, 5 are a different torque. I numbered them all with sharpie, red for the 5 bolts that are 7ftlbs, and black for the others at 18ftlbs. It made torquing the cover down quicker and easier. It's a process.