Here is a Summary of what we are going to cover in this post.
We are going to cover the typical Subaru oil leak repairs we perform on the N/A (Naturally Aspirated) Subaru 2.0l and 2.5l FB Series engines found in the following Subaru model and years. I am going to focus only on the list of Subaru models and years below.
2011-2025 Subaru Forester with a 2.5l
2012-2025 Subaru Impreza with a 2.0l
2013-2025 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0l standard and starting in 2021 the optional 2.5l
2013-2025 Subaru Outback 2.5l
2013-25 Subaru Legacy 2.5l
I have written many times about Subaru oil leaks through the years, explained some of the possible places that may develop oil leaks and more importantly tips on how to prolong and in some instances avoid all together. If you own a Subaru model or year not covered in the list I provided above chances are I have already written about it and you might want to search my blog for information about your particular Subaru problem.
One of the challenges facing a Subaru technician when evaluating a Subaru for current oil leaks they are looking at for the first time is there are many items such as the Front timing cover and cam cases that once they have been leaking for a while and had the cooling fans blow the oil around as well as wind from higher speed driving it can really be a mess on the underside of the Subaru engine once the splash pan has been removed. Sometimes the absolute best use of time spent is to clean up the oil have the customer drive it for 50-100 miles and return for an inspection this prevents overestimating the severity of major expensive leaks such as the cam cases, helps identify if perhaps the head gaskets might be part of the problem and really presents the facts about just how bad are these leaks.
So much oil has leaked, the best plan here is to clean this up and drive it for a bit and evaluate after 50 miles
When a Subaru Has Been Leaking for a while
In my expert opinion the single most common area to leak is the front timing cover, and if allowed to go on too long can leak enough oil on what is known as the front air fuel sensor that it can damage it to the point of setting a check engine light and affecting your Subaru’s ability to properly control the air fuel ratio.
Subaru Air Fuel Sensor Coated in Oil
The real trick is to not underestimate the Subaru cam case leaks when recommending a front timing cover reseal, if you had to go back in a year later and take care of cam case leaks, leaking onto the exhaust for example you would be paying at least an extra 60% over doing it correctly once.
Subaru FB 2.5l Engine Oil Leaking Up?
Cam Case VS Valve Cover leak
This is where you need real Subaru experience on your side and a customer first focus by the shop looking at your Subaru as well. It’s far too easy for some less experienced Subaru shops to quote the minimum to get the sale, not fully recognizing that we truly owe it to our customers to be Subaru experts and present findings based on proof of failure. Present a repair plan that will match what the Subaru owner needs from their Subaru and your long or short term plans for the car.
If you have an ever growing family and are expecting a third child, I am not sure that keeping a Subaru Crosstrek as the main family grocery getter is the best option and a minimum type repair with a minimum type expectation may be the best option, on the flip side of that is a Subaru owner who has a paid off Subaru that’s getting close to retirement, knows they just wont be driving as much and just doesn’t want 6-7 years worth of new car payments only to be back in this spot in 7 years. In the second scenario doing the max repair even if some of it is preventative maintenance can really help lower forward going ownership costs. In some circumstances no repair is the best option for both the Subaru and the customer.
Only a real Subaru expert with a lot of Independent experience can help you navigate this and regardless of the skill level of a Subaru technician coming out of a dealership they just do not have the thought process necessary to be your best advocate. Dealerships work on the franchise model and try to remove variables, Independent shops live for variables as that’s what it takes to serve our Customers the best.
How to prolong or outright avoid oil leaks in a FB series Subaru? It starts with frequent oil changes done on a schedule based solely on how you use the Subaru and not some difficult to understand maintenance schedule with never properly explained variables. Did you know that what is “normal use” to you is severe use to the car maker? I see some local Subaru Dealers offering maintenance schedules as the “NW package” with closer to reality intervals and have noticed similar offerings from Subaru dealers in other regions.
The truth is as long as companies like JD Powers put out ownership cost studies, car makers will put out fantasy type maintenance intervals to give the illusion of lower costs.
7000 mile oil changes in a Subaru used in stop and go traffic with frequent short trips never allowing the proper burn off of fuel collected in the oil will always create Subarus that leak oil quicker than Subarus owned by drivers who change the oil more frequently, use good oil, steer clear of the quick lube shops and follow good Independent Subaru shops Advice.
Here is a statement and I have years worth of data to back it up.
“At All Wheel Drive Auto we repair oil leaks 5 times as often to first time customers in for oil leak repairs than we do to Subarus we service on the regular”. When we service your Subaru we put a sticker on your windshield at every FB series interval indicating return for service in 5000 miles or 5 months and do not shy away from conversations to help you get as many miles out of your Subaru as possible.
Here is one that the oil leak from the inner valve cover gaskets got so bad the coils and plugs got oil soaked, ad a little moisture in the air and it had to be towed in due to misfires and a flashing check engine light.
Subaru Coils Oil Soaked Subaru FB 2.5l
Frequently asked Questions and hopefully some useful answers.
- Q. Is it expensive to repair Subaru oil leaks?
- A. It really can be and that’s why preventative maintenance is so critical.
- Q. Can I just ignore the oil leaks, does my Subaru really need to be repaired?
- A. As you can see from the pictures above it will never leak less, and eventually leak oil onto items not designed to have oil on them causing the Subaru to potentially leave you stranded.
- Q. Well How much does this cost?
- A. Oil leak repairs can start out as a repair costing a few hundred dollars, but evolve into repairs that costs thousands.
- Q. How do I know if my Subaru is leaking Oil?
- A. Until the splash pan is removed and the underside of the Subaru is inspected the only indication you may have as the driver are hot smells such as oil burning of of the exhaust. A quality Inspection performed by Skilled Independent Subaru technicians is the only way you will know the if, where and how bad it might be.
- Q. Can this be avoided?
- A. I do believe that for many Subaru owners this can be pushed out to over 150k and in some cases longer with proper oil change intervals based on the actual use of your Subaru.
Thanks for Reading!
-Justin Stobb
Your Independent Subaru Expert