oil dripping crankshaft seal

[stef1825]

Hi everyone, I've just bought a 1992 legacy turbo (sedan). I've been told that the crankshaft seal is leaking on the timing belt and that it might make the timing belt break at some point. Since I know nothing (really nothing) in motors, I was wondering if it needs to be changed fast .... I can't really afford it right now cause it would be about 700$ (CAD) to change the seal and the timing belt.

I've found a couple treads about leaking crankshaft seal but since I don't now much about it, I would like to know what you guys think I should do .... replace it at the end of the summer (at a garage), change it now, buy a used crankshaft (if its cheaper) (garage still) ..... since I have the entire summer to do that, do it myself with help of some inexperienced friends (if I don't need to pull the engine out, witch I can't do)

thx for the help
(sorry for the poor English I'm actually a French Canadian ) ...

[Splinter]

WHy would it cost about $700?

Its more like $300, and thats if youre doing the waterpump and oilpump at the same time

[stef1825]

I dunno, they told me 700$ .... I just bought the car thinking everything was fine .. than this !!! anyhow ... so i'ts more a 300$ job all included ? .... and could it be a DIY job ?

[Matt Monson]

It's easily a DIY job. I personally like to pull the engine to do this job, but many people just do it with it in the car. I would expect it to take 4-6 hours depending on your skilllevel...

[Bheinen74]

stay away from any shop charging 700 for that...period
don't ever go back EVER

[Splinter]

Waterpump/timing belt was the first major job I did on my car. Took me the better part of a day to get done... Get yourself a haynes or chiltons and you should be good to go

[stef1825]

If I can do it myself, I'll do it (taking lots of time since I have the entire summer). Should I still roll with it ?

What will I need and how do I do it (or where do I get info on how to do it)

I'll keep on searching for infos

thx for the help .. honestly I thought 700$ was way to much, but since I don't ever know what the crankshaft is for, who am I to judge that..

[stef1825]

Oh and you guys are talking about waterpump and oilpump .... while I'm at it, what can I change around there that would need to be change ...
BTW engine : 232 000 kms ( 145 000 miles)

(keep in mind I would do it with the engine in, and without much knowledge, but lots of patience)

[Splinter]

I would do:
Crankshaft seal
Cam seals
Timing Belt
Water pump/Thermostat
Oil pump seal

[grippingdrifting]

What about the belt idlers; how often should those be replaced?

[evolutionmovement]

I don't know about the cam seals. If she doesn't know what a crankshaft is, I'd have her stick to the bare minimum myself. How bad is the leak with only 145k? The belt's probably going to be fine for a while. Worst case, it snaps and you have it towed home and have to do the job at that point. You won't damage anything if it goes.

Belt idlers is a good question. I think they're good for over 200k if the car is driven a lot, but not even close if the car doesn't move for a while, in my experience with junk yard motors. I think the thing to do is spin them and see how free they spin and if they make any noise. You could always do it for insurance every few belt changes if you want to spend money.

[stef1825]

The leak is ... well at one place they said : there is a minor oil leak not to be worried about, and the other place said : there is a leak that is potentially dangerous because it's dripping on the timing belt ... the reason why it was discovered is that every time I take it back from a spin, there is some smoke coming from the engine and from what they saw it is from oil leak from the crankshaft dripping and burning ...

(btw evolutionmovement I'm a dude lol)

[totech]

Stef,

You should look on http://www.ottawasubaru.com ask for a mechanic referral, those guys are really honest over there, they even speak french.

[theflystyle]

you know i feel the same way as you stef,... i can do the pretty basic stuff to my car but ive never attempted anything major and ive always wanted to change t-belt myself but wished there was like a guided how to and it would be awesome if it was pictured as well..

[dzx]

if you drain the radiator and remove it, you will have a lot more room to work with. The seal should only cost about 6-8 usd. I don't know what the timing belt costs, but if you do it yourself, you should be able to do it all for less than 85 usd.

[evolutionmovement]

Sorry, man! With a name like Steve and getting called Stephanie in elementary school, I can sympathize.

These cars are great to learn on. Just take your time and work through it. I think timing belts run about $60. I always get a bunch of crap at the same time, so I'm not sure ont he exact price.

[stef1825]

Where should I get parts ? dealer, small garage, internet store ??

[dzx]

I'd probably get the seal at the dealer and shop around at local auto part stores for the best deals on the other stuff, but that's just me.

[douglas vincent]

And the odds of the timing belt breaking are close to nil..... so you have plenty of time to get all the parts together.

Ebay often has great deals on NEW stuff, I have bought 3 sets of timing belts AND idlers for $60 or so, just for the idlers...

[evolutionmovement]

I would definitely go OEM. Subaruparts.com is pretty good and it's all OEM much cheaper than normal dealers.

[Radial GT1]

I got a timing belt kit with pullies for 80 bucks off ebay. For how oftain you should change the timing belt it doesn't pay to go OEM anyway, IMO. Gaskets and seals go OEM subaru, they are not that expensive even right from subaru. You can do that job no problem. With this forum and the support that is here, you can do it. good luck

[stef1825]

thx guys, I will update when doing the job, with pictures and all probably.