Oil Seepage Diagnosis and Repair Procedures – 2012-2021 Subaru

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Bulletin Number: 02-131-12R; Revised: 06/29/23 Page 1 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. 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 SERVICE BULLETIN ATTENTION: GENERAL MANAGER q PARTS MANAGER q CLAIMS PERSONNEL q SERVICE MANAGER q IMPORTANT – All Service Personnel Should Read and Initial in the boxes provided, right. Continued… CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS. Subaru Service Bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do the job correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that this Service Bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. IS “ISO 14001 COMPLIANT” The international standard for excellence in Environmental Management Systems. Please recycle or dispose of automotive products in a manner that is friendly to our environment and in accordance with all local, state and federal laws and regulations. Bolt: Part# 800206180 Washer: Part# 031106000 Tightening Torque: 6.4 +/- 0.5 Nm (57 +/- 4 inch-pounds) Bulletin Number: 02-131-12R; Revised: 06/29/23 Page 2 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. Cam carrier Rocker Cover Oil seepage Oil seepage Camshaft cap Cam carrier Chain Cover Apply Liquid Gasket, ThreeBond 11217H (SOA868V9610) or equivalent* as shown below: Right Hand Left Hand Sealant applying diameter: 3.5mm Sealant applying diameter: 3.5mm Sealant applying diameter: 3.5mm Sealant applying diameter around the 4 bolt holes: 2.0mm. There are non-re-usable o-rings around the two center bolt holes which require replacement. Camshaft cap Continued… Bulletin Number: 02-131-12R; Revised: 06/29/23 Page 3 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 (SOA868V9610) 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 14451AA050. Cam carrier seepage seen from top left and lower right side of engine Top Left View Continued… Bulletin Number: 02-131-12R; Revised: 06/29/23 Page 4 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 (SOA868V9610) 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. Continued… Bulletin Number: 02-131-12R; Revised: 06/29/23 Page 5 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. Continued… Bulletin Number: 02-131-12R; Revised: 06/29/23 Page 6 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 (SOA868V9610) or equivalent*. *See Service Bulletin 01-167-08R 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 Continued… Bulletin Number: 02-131-12R; Revised: 06/29/23 Page 7 WARRANTY/CLAIM INFORMATION For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited and / or Powertrain Warranty period, this repair may be claimed using the following information: AREA NUMBER LABOR DESCRIPTION LABOR OPERATION # TRANMISSION TYPE FAIL CODE 5MT 4AT 6MT CVT 1 OIL SEEPAGE REPAIR, L/H CAM CAP THREADED BOSS B243-611 0.3 AFR-34 ENGINE OIL &/or COOLANT LEAK TESTING & DIAGNOSIS C245-001 0.4 2 H4 ENGINE R&R FOR CAMSHAFT SERVICING B293-100 3.4 3.9 3.5 3.9 AFV-34 LH CAM CAP RESEAL C293-102 4.5 RH CAM CAP RESEAL C293-101 4.6 BOTH CAM CAPS RESEAL C293-104 5.9 ENGINE OIL &/or COOLANT LEAK TESTING & DIAGNOSIS C245-001 0.4 3 H4 ENGINE R&R FOR CAMSHAFT SERVICING B293-100 3.4 3.9 3.5 3.9 AFV-34 LH CAM CARRIER TO HEAD SEALER &/or O-RING R&R C293-002 3.6 RH CAM CARRIER TO HEAD SEALER &/or O-RING R&R C293-001 3.7 BOTH CAM CARRIERS TO HEAD SEALER &/or O-RING R&R C293-004 4.5 ENGINE OIL &/or COOLANT LEAK TESTING & DIAGNOSIS C245-001 0.4 4 H4 ENGINE R&R FOR SHORTBLOCK & ENGINE SERVICING B295-300 3.4 3.9 3.5 3.9 AFV-34 OIL EXTENSION HOUSING, O-RINGS &/or SEALER R&R C295-023 2.4 ENGINE OIL &/or COOLANT LEAK TESTING & DIAGNOSIS C245-001 0.4 Bulletin Number: 02-131-12R; Revised: 06/29/23 Page 8 AREA NUMBER LABOR DESCRIPTION LABOR OPERATION # TRANMISSION TYPE FAIL CODE 5MT 4AT 6MT CVT 5 FRONT CHAIN COVER, SEALER &/or O-RINGS R&R B245-201 3.6 AFV-34 ENGINE OIL &/or COOLANT LEAK TESTING & DIAGNOSIS C245-001 0.4 NOTE: Liquid gasket ThreeBond 1217H can be claimed using part number SOA635305, quantity one (1) per repair order. This part number is non-orderable and used for claim purposes only. IMPORTANT REMINDERS: • SOA strongly discourages the printing and/or local storage of service information as previously released information and electronic publications may be updated at any time. • Always check for any open recalls or campaigns anytime a vehicle is in for servicing. • Always refer to STIS for the latest service information before performing any repairs.

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