You can do this repair easily on a pre 2005 Forester. On later models, you have to contend with a much smaller work area due to the exhaust running around the oil filter.
I think it just has the one seal I did not do it yet but I did order the seal and it’s been sitting on my counter for months I think I was getting my oil from the camshaft seal
If the oil leak does not improve after oil cooler o-ring replacement, it might be from a different place. Highly doubtful the block would be cracked unless there were accident damage.
@@ZookeeperJohnG my threaded union bolt was crooked in the thread, causing filter to not seat all the way flush on one side, bought a tap, and now 10min later its fixed thanks
I have a 02 outback and I have a lot of oil running down the front of the pan, oil on the filter area too. At first I thought it was the front seals on the crank, cams. But with oil dripping on the filter I wonder if it could be this o-ring. Admittingly I have not dug into the seals yet
To my knowledge, only the Foresters have the oil cooler, the Outbacks do not. I installed a used 2001 Forester 2.5 engine into a 2001 Outback a few years back, so that Outback's replacement engine then had the oil cooler, where the original Outback's original engine ( that I replaced) had not.
is it possible to do this fix without draining the vehicle of oil? can i just take the filter off and install a new oil filter when i am done replacing the o-ring?
I would also say age as well. The o ring in the power steering pump is notorious for getting brittle as well. A few years ago Subaru didnt even offer the part to repair, just wanted people to shell out for a new pump. So people figured out the size and started buying the proper non Subaru oring, even getting the fancy upgraded material for it. Now Subaru offer a simple oring for like a buck that fixes about 99% of groaning PS pumps.
I wonder if this is the problem with my wife's 2011 Impreza with the 2.5L (non-turbo). I can't seem to find the oil leak, it drips off the oil filter so I changed the oil and filter and still had the same issue. I can't see where it comes from, it's only 1 or 2 drops per night. Also, on her car you have to reach through basically an opening in the exhaust to get to the filter. I certainly hope you don't have to take the manifold off to do this on her car? And advice would be appreciated.
Since it is a 2011 2.5L, it is very unlikely to be anything but an oil gasket as the head gasket issue was fixed in production a number of years prior.
That's what I was hoping. I'm still wondering how to access it though because it's a pretty tight squeeze getting my hand up there. I wish I had the room you do in your video.
The vehicle in the video looks like an early 2000 and there is greater clearance. You could attempt a simple swap without removing the coolant, but you run the chance of not seating the gasket properly and having to redo the job. Ideally, you should remove the entire oil cooler in order to clean it and to ensure that the new gasket it sitting properly in the channel. Unfortunately, this would require you drain the coolant . However, if you have to replace the timing belt or coolant soon, that would be a good opportunity to fix this issue.
I have this same problem on a 2005 subaru forester. Never a puddle of oil under the car but some drops of oil on the filter over time. Please let me know what you find i hope it's the o-ring in the video that's the problem on mine as well
Torque spec. for adapter pipe is 40 ft.lb.
Thank you, good information to add.
Looked like he put double that on it
Thank you! I was just quoted $350 from a mechanic to do this. Your video will save me hundreds...
That's GREAT, good luck!
Thanks for the info, only took about 10 minutes once we had the gasket and new oil filter. It needs a 24mm deep well socket, not a 25mm.
Thanks for this video... I will be doing this same repair on my 2001 Subaru Forester tomorrow.
You can do this repair easily on a pre 2005 Forester. On later models, you have to contend with a much smaller work area due to the exhaust running around the oil filter.
my 2010 Subaru: Nooooo!
This is brilliant! Others start with draining the radiator. Great way to carve an hour off of the job.
In order to do the job right, certain years and models benefit from draining the coolant and removing the cooler assembly.
its actually coolant that circulates in the cooler. but yeah most common oil leak in the ol subies
This is for a turbo, right? My son has a 2009 Forester and this setup doesn't look familiar, however, he has a pesky drip coming from the oil filter.
No turbo on this one, thankfully.
Thank you. This was a huge help.
It's all about that mechanic touch.
John thanks, that short rubber oil line to cooler...can I buy separately ?
I would think so.
Do you know if this is the same for 2005 Subaru outback XT with the one seal or does the outback have four seals with the O-ring
Tryna figure that one out too man, did you get any answer to that yet?
I think it just has the one seal I did not do it yet but I did order the seal and it’s been sitting on my counter for months I think I was getting my oil from the camshaft seal
Which deep socket brand? Not all deep sockets clear that nipple plug. Thanks
Needs to be a "full-depth" socket regardless.
Do you know what size the o ring is?
I do not, but the p/n is 21370KA001😀
what's size socket did you use? thanks
This was a great help, is this the same on a 2007 2.5 outback?
did you have to drain coolant also? i seem to have a coolant leak and minor oil leak here @ this assembly
No, coolant does not require draining.
what happens if its leaking after still? could i have a cracked blockl?
If the oil leak does not improve after oil cooler o-ring replacement, it might be from a different place. Highly doubtful the block would be cracked unless there were accident damage.
@@ZookeeperJohnG my threaded union bolt was crooked in the thread, causing filter to not seat all the way flush on one side, bought a tap, and now 10min later its fixed thanks
I have a 02 outback and I have a lot of oil running down the front of the pan, oil on the filter area too. At first I thought it was the front seals on the crank, cams. But with oil dripping on the filter I wonder if it could be this o-ring. Admittingly I have not dug into the seals yet
To my knowledge, only the Foresters have the oil cooler, the Outbacks do not. I installed a used 2001 Forester 2.5 engine into a 2001 Outback a few years back, so that Outback's replacement engine then had the oil cooler, where the original Outback's original engine ( that I replaced) had not.
Can coolant get into your oil from a bad oil cooler? Thank you
Yes, but not at all common on a Subaru.
Zookeeper JohnG thank you!
Did you drain coolant also when you did this job??
No need, you do not need to remove the oil cooler, just pull it away from the base.
is it possible to do this fix without draining the vehicle of oil? can i just take the filter off and install a new oil filter when i am done replacing the o-ring?
Yes and Yes. In fact, you would not need a new oil filter.
@@ZookeeperJohnG Thank you! my fxt has this exact repair needed, this knowledge will make the fix much easier.
Did you lube the new gasket with oil before installing or put in dry?
Dry
How deep of socket is needed for this task? TIA
A "normal" deep-well socket will work, mid-depth likely will not. In any event, no custom tool off the truck is needed.
what do u think causes the o ring issue, could it be overtightening of the oil filter?
From what I read online, it seems to be age, which is tough on a lot of things, myself included ;)
I would also say age as well. The o ring in the power steering pump is notorious for getting brittle as well. A few years ago Subaru didnt even offer the part to repair, just wanted people to shell out for a new pump. So people figured out the size and started buying the proper non Subaru oring, even getting the fancy upgraded material for it. Now Subaru offer a simple oring for like a buck that fixes about 99% of groaning PS pumps.
I wonder if this is the problem with my wife's 2011 Impreza with the 2.5L (non-turbo). I can't seem to find the oil leak, it drips off the oil filter so I changed the oil and filter and still had the same issue. I can't see where it comes from, it's only 1 or 2 drops per night. Also, on her car you have to reach through basically an opening in the exhaust to get to the filter. I certainly hope you don't have to take the manifold off to do this on her car? And advice would be appreciated.
Since it is a 2011 2.5L, it is very unlikely to be anything but an oil gasket as the head gasket issue was fixed in production a number of years prior.
That's what I was hoping. I'm still wondering how to access it though because it's a pretty tight squeeze getting my hand up there. I wish I had the room you do in your video.
The vehicle in the video looks like an early 2000 and there is greater clearance. You could attempt a simple swap without removing the coolant, but you run the chance of not seating the gasket properly and having to redo the job.
Ideally, you should remove the entire oil cooler in order to clean it and to ensure that the new gasket it sitting properly in the channel. Unfortunately, this would require you drain the coolant . However, if you have to replace the timing belt or coolant soon, that would be a good opportunity to fix this issue.
I have this same problem on a 2005 subaru forester. Never a puddle of oil under the car but some drops of oil on the filter over time. Please let me know what you find i hope it's the o-ring in the video that's the problem on mine as well
Thank you I have to do it in mine now I know
Mine don't have the oil cooler. It's flat to the engine.
Too windy :(