Just had my 04 Forester XS serviced at my independent mechanics shop. He diagnosed leaking rear camshaft bearing and said it would be covered under warranty. (87,000km) on the car). Has this been a known problem or just one of those things? ANything else that should get done while they are in there for the bearing problem?
Grolsch
Mmmmm, it would be the rear _seal_ leaking, and I don't think there even is a rear seal on the cams; a front seal, behind the timing gear (probably 4 of 'em on the '04 XS; it has a DOHC engine doesn't it?), but pretty sure the back of the cam ends w/o exiting the head.
Maybe you mean the rear crankshaft seal? They do leak sometimes, but not usually at such lo mileage. You have to pull either the engine or transmission, and the flywheel or flex plate to get to this part. Not too much in there likely to need attention on a 50K mile car. Just maybe worth while to install a fresh friction plate in the clutch if so equipped. A savvy tech will re-lubricate the clutch splines and release bearing as a matter of course.
I will mention that some Subaru engines had a plastic cover on the engine case behind the flywheel. This was a problem area, and IIRC, it was being replaced with a metal one. I think this was limited to mid - late '90s 2.2L motors, but you might ask.
If it is the _front_ cam seal(s), (they also develop leaks) (or if I'm wrong and there _is_ a rear cam seal), it's probably worthwhile to have the timing belt replaced, and all of the belt idlers inspected while things are apart. I would think they would do this for you for the cost of a new belt (~$100), since the belt has to come off anyway to service the head. Don't use this as an excuse to delay the 105K timing belt service, tho; there's more to it than just a new belt.
Also at ~50K, you are probably due a set of accessory belts. Again, these have to come off anyway to do the head; might as well have fresh ones put back on. Toss the used set in the tool tray just in case the need ever arises.
ByeBye! S.
Steve Jernigan KG0MB Laboratory Manager Microelectronics Research University of Colorado (719) 262-3101
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