Hi Grolsch!
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?
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
