Oil Seepage Diagnosis and Repair Procedures – 2012-2021 Subaru

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NHTSA ID Number: 10238465

Manufacturer Communication Number: 02-131-12R

Summary

The purpose of this Bulletin is to provide procedures for the diagnosis and repair of oil seepage which may be coming from the timing chain cover, front camshaft cap, camshaft carrier and / or upper oil pan.

 


NUMBER: 02-131-12R
DATE: 07/18/12
REVISED: 06/29/23

APPLICABILITY: 2012-21MY Forester
2012-21MY Impreza
2015-20MY WRX
SUBJECT: Oil Seepage Diagnosis and Repair Procedures

 

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this Bulletin is to provide procedures for the diagnosis and repair of oil seepage which may be coming from the timing chain cover, front camshaft cap, camshaft carrier and / or upper oil pan.

 

There are five areas that should be closely inspected if an oil leak is reported by the customer:

1. The 6mm tapped hole casting boss area in the left-hand camshaft cap
2. The sealing surfaces between either the left or right-hand camshaft cap and camshaft carrier
3. The sealing surfaces between the cylinder head and camshaft carrier
4. The sealing surface between the upper oil pan and the engine block
5. The sealing surfaces of the front timing chain cover

Note:  Refer to the April 2011 issue of TIPS for more information on Fluid Leak Detection.

If oil seepage is verified coming from the 6mm threaded hole in the left-hand camshaft cap, install the specified bolt and flat washer.

Bolt:  Part# 800206180

Washer:  Part# 031106000

Tightening Torque: 6.4 +/- 0.5 Nm (57 +/- 4 inch-pounds)

 

If oil seepage is verified coming from the front camshaft cap or cam carrier as shown in the photos below, remove the cam cap and clean both surfaces thoroughly before applying sealer.  Note: The 2 o-rings between the camshaft cap and the cam carrier will need to be replaced as they are not re-usable.

 

Apply Liquid Gasket, ThreeBond 11217H (SOA868V9610eBay) or equivalent* as shown below:

 

If oil seepage is verified coming from between the cam carrier and the cylinder head as shown in the photos below, remove the cam carrier.  Clean the machined sealing surfaces thoroughly and then re-seal using Liquid Gasket ThreeBond 1217H (SOA868V9610eBay) or equivalent*.  As shown in the photos below, the o-rings between the cam carrier and the cylinder head will need to be replaced as they are not re-usable.  This would also be a good time to clean the Active Valve Control System (AVCS) filter screens which are contained in the cam carriers.  NOTE: The filter screens are one-time use and must be replaced if they need to be removed.  The replacement filter part# is 14451AA050eBay.

 

Cam carrier seepage seen from top left and lower right side of engine

 

Cam carrier o-rings requiring replacement

 

AVCS filter screen in cam carrier

 

If you find engine oil seepage between the cylinder block and upper oil pan, remove the upper oil pan, clean the machined sealing surfaces thoroughly and then re-seal using Liquid Gasket ThreeBond 1217H (SOA868V9610eBay) or equivalent*.  Note: The o-rings between the upper oil pan and the cylinder block along with those between the upper and lower oil pan will need to be replaced as they are not re-usable.

 

As viewed from the rear, oil seepage from the upper pan to engine block sealing area may be present in these areas.

 

Photo shows seepage from upper oil pan to engine block sealing surfaces.

 

IMPORTANT: The oil level switch o-ring is a one time use part and should be replaced when the switch is removed, replaced, or when the upper oil pan is resealed.

 

Front Timing Chain Cover resealing procedures:

Note: Only reseal the front chain cover AFTER confirming there is no oil seepage coming from the cam retainer cap (area 1) as previously described.

1. If there are no oil droplets found on the engine under-cover or the lower radiator hose, thoroughly clean the chain cover sealing area along with the surrounding cylinder head and crankcase areas. Re-check for oil seepage again at the next service interval.

2. If the front chain cover is leaking and needs to be resealed, follow the repair procedure in the applicable Service Manual. Thoroughly clean and inspect the sealing surfaces then re-seal using Liquid Gasket ThreeBond 1217H (SOA868V9610eBay) or equivalent*.

*See Service Bulletin 01-167-08 for recommended and alternative sealing materials.

 

COUNTERMEASURES

VEHICLE INSPECTION AREA COUNTERMEASURE STARTING VIN# STARTING ENGINE #
Forester 1 Elimination of 6mm tapped hole in boss of camshaft cap C*447908 0266216
2 Enhanced cleaning procedure for sealing surface of camshaft cap C*411592 0156924
3 and 4 Additional sealer added C*468399 0345502
5 Enhanced cleaning procedure for sealing surface of chain cover C*468399 0345489

 


25 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE MODEL YEAR
SUBARU FORESTER 2012-2018, 2020-2021
SUBARU IMPREZA 2012-2021
SUBARU WRX 2015-2020

 


1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: 02-131-12R
DATE: 07/18/12
REVISED: 06/29/23

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10238465

MC-10238465-0001.pdf 842.356KB

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NHTSA ID Number: 10216980

Manufacturer Communication Number: 02-131-12R

Summary

The purpose of this Bulletin is to provide procedures for the diagnosis and repair of oil seepage which may be coming from the timing chain cover, front camshaft cap, camshaft carrier and / or upper oil pan.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: 02-131-12R
DATE: 07/18/12
REVISED: 07/11/22

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10216980

MC-10216980-0001.pdf 2673.229KB

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NHTSA ID Number: 10186347

Manufacturer Communication Number: 02-131-12R

Summary

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide procedures for the diagnosis and repair of oil seepage which may be coming from the timing chain cover, front camshaft cap, camshaft carrier, and/or upper oil pan.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: 02-131-12R
DATE: 07/18/12
REVISED: 01/22/21

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10186347

MC-10186347-0001.pdf 1327.978KB

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NHTSA ID Number: 10165512

Manufacturer Communication Number: 02-131-12R

Summary

The purpose of this Bulletin is to provide procedures for the diagnosis and repair of oil seepage which may be coming from the timing chain cover, front camshaft cap, camshaft carrier and / or upper oil pan.

There are five areas that should be closely inspected if an oil leak is reported by the customer:

1. The 6mm tapped hole casting boss area in the left-hand camshaft cap

2. The sealing surfaces between either the left or right-hand camshaft cap and camshaft carrier

3. The sealing surfaces between the cylinder head and camshaft carrier

4. The sealing surface between the upper oil pan and the engine block

5. The sealing surfaces of the front timing chain cover

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: 02-131-12R
DATE: 07/18/12
REVISED: 09/20/19

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10165512

MC-10165512-0001.pdf 1323.899KB

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