Head Gasket Oil Leak - this is what one might look like

[Si_Chris]

Originally Posted by exE36M3

Thanks Chris - I hope I didn't come across as adversarial. Sometimes it's hard to disagree or offer opinions in a forum (via text) without coming across as a know-it all jerk.

But that PCV valve - I'll give that a look! I want to get all the bases covered before I show up to the dealer complaining about an oil leak.

Not at all.

The PCV valve was worth a shot to look at.

Any updates on the situation?

[exE36M3]

Taking the car in this AM. Fingers crossed. I'll follow-up in a few days!
FWIW, I put in a 2nd paper towel to show oil seepage over 4 days. It's already soaked. :\

[exE36M3]

Following up, Subaru called. The techs, after cleaning the motor... say there's no sign of oil leaks. :\

It's a bit of a frustrating experience. Especially when clearly oil is still seeping on top of the motor (enough to soak a paper towel after a VERY short drive) and my car interior vents reek of oil if I drive only a few miles.

I'm a car guy. I get cars aren't perfect and I realize even the most reliable models do have have some quirks or issues.

But if I can't run the heater in the car because oil smoke/fumes fills the cabin to the point my eyes water I can't conceivably keep this car.

[ sigh ]

I'll post again if there is any resolution but crap, I have a feeling I got THE ONE oil leaking car out of the thousands made.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by exE36M3

Following up, Subaru called. The techs, after cleaning the motor... say there's no sign of oil leaks. :\

It's a bit of a frustrating experience. Especially when clearly oil is still seeping on top of the motor (enough to soak a paper towel after a VERY short drive) and my car interior vents reek of oil if I drive only a few miles.

I'm a car guy. I get cars aren't perfect and I realize even the most reliable models do have have some quirks or issues.

But if I can't run the heater in the car because oil smoke/fumes fills the cabin to the point my eyes water I can't conceivably keep this car.

[ sigh ]

I'll post again if there is any resolution but crap, I have a feeling I got THE ONE oil leaking car out of the thousands made.

Well, that just ain't right ......

As @Si_Chris first suspicioned, maybe it does have something to do with the PCV valve .....maybe it's cracked or stuck ..... ??

Since the PVC valve is relatively inexpensive and easy to replace, you might consider replacing it ......

Yep, ol humfrz has an easy solution to most problems ......... and most of them don't work ......

Plan B would be to take it to a different dealer ...... maybe a different set of tech eyes will see where it's leaking.


humfrz

[Ultramaroon]

Look for a broken or disconnected fitting on the underside of the plenum. Oil doesn't seep upward, not without a lot of help, at least.

[exE36M3]

I just got off the phone with Neal at Racer's line. He mentioned something about the same as Ultramaroon just. I'll take a look at that tonight when I pick up the car. Thanks again guys!

[exE36M3]

Updated 1st post - visited Racers Line in Concord, CA. Subaru independent shop.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by exE36M3

Updated 1st post - visited Racers Line in Concord, CA. Subaru independent shop.

Well, that is aggravating.

I reckon I'd just get some oil absorbent pads, stuff a piece in there and change the diaper errrr ...... PAD once a week, or more frequently if needed.

Those pads and oil is cheap, as compared to an engine tear down.

(save the oil soaked pads to show the dealer, if it gets worse)


humfrz

[exE36M3]

Thanks humfrz - agreed.

Given my limited exposure to the service team at Subaru, my best guess is that the junior techs handle oil changes, battery swaps, etc. and some diagnostic work. The senior tech does the heavy lifting like engine work. The ratio of techs looks like 5 or 6 juniors to 1 senior. A number of Subaru shops don't even want to touch the FA20 motor from a tear down standpoint. It's a new motor design. And given the nature of a motor without a lot of oil gaskets, the likely hood of an oil leak is really high.

So it's NOT in the best interest of the dealer to pull the motor for any reason and to semi-refuse oil leak repairs unless the motor is pouring oil out.

That being said, I've pretty much resigned myself to just cleaning it up like you said and working around the oil smell... using the heater to the floor versus windshield or front. Stupid quirk of the car.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by exE36M3

Thanks humfrz - agreed.

Given my limited exposure to the service team at Subaru, my best guess is that the junior techs handle oil changes, battery swaps, etc. and some diagnostic work. The senior tech does the heavy lifting like engine work. The ratio of techs looks like 5 or 6 juniors to 1 senior. A number of Subaru shops don't even want to touch the FA20 motor from a tear down standpoint. It's a new motor design. And given the nature of a motor without a lot of oil gaskets, the likely hood of an oil leak is really high.

So it's NOT in the best interest of the dealer to pull the motor for any reason and to semi-refuse oil leak repairs unless the motor is pouring oil out.

That being said, I've pretty much resigned myself to just cleaning it up like you said and working around the oil smell... using the heater to the floor versus windshield or front. Stupid quirk of the car.

Oh, I forgot about the oil smell .......

Maybe the absorbent pad will hold the oil up off the hot engine so it won't volatilize ........

I checked with Bubba and he says to cut a piece of one of those scented XMass tree things and wrap it up into the piece of absorbent pad before you stuff it in there. After the holidays, change it out for the Spring scented one.

humfrz for Bubba

[gtengr]

Originally Posted by exE36M3

I asked the shop owner if he thinks Subaru would repair it. His take is that the dealer won't fix anything unless the car is seriously losing A LOT of oil AND is easy to spot/diagnose.

Did you get a receipt confirming the oil leak? I think it will be hard for the dealer to reject this repair again if you have a 3rd party opinion plus the paper towel evidence. It would be one thing if your engine was consuming this small amount of oil, but an external leak should be repaired. That's the dealership's problem if they can't figure out the source.

[Decep]

No sign of oil leaks? Did you show them the soaked paper towel? Definitely get corporate involved if you're under warranty. Getting it documented is important.

[exE36M3]

Thanks everyone, yes... Racer's line confirmed an oil leak from two possible places. The head gasket or injector area. I'm going to have to follow-up on this in the new year. Keep in mind the dealer takes a week to even look at the issue. :\

[fotc13]

Any chance you found the source of the leak? My 2013 BRZ has the exact same leak as yours...would love to know where it's coming from... Thanks