Headers leaking oil! Exhaust issues

jdizzle · 09-13-2013, 10:36 AM

Couldn't find any info searching around but I was running invidia up pipe catless dp with magnaflow cb on cobb stage 2 ots map. The magnaflow was leaking at the dp and having fit ment issues. I had to unhook and unbolt the hanger by the rear o2 sensor in order to stop the leak but did not think ahead about bumps in the road. Without the support from the hanger I believe my turbo and up pipe bounced around and loosened up or stripped the exhaust manifold out of the block. I started to notice leaks and immediately put the stock dp back up with all the supports. From inspecting pretty much everything I found an oil leak just above the up pipe and looks like it was coming from the gasket from the headers to the block. Should oil even leak from there?

**Dookie** · 09-19-2013, 08:56 AM

In most cases, if you have oil dripping on the UP, it's usually the valve cover gasket right above it. I've had to replace mine twice already and each time it had dripped on the the UP and could smell burnt oil inside the car. Inspect the valve cover gasket.

jdizzle · 10-03-2013, 08:22 AM

It does look to be just the valve cover gasket

**Dookie** · 10-11-2013, 07:41 PM

The valve cover gasket is not a hard job to do, just time consuming. Have you replaced it yet??

SubaRoo86 · 10-21-2013, 02:04 PM

Does changing the valve cover gaskets involve pulling the motor?

**Dookie** · 10-21-2013, 03:40 PM

No, you can do it while it's still in. Matter a fact, I just did mine last night again, my passenger side gasket doesn't like me much.

Passenger side is fairly easy to get to, helps to have a long 10mm wrench.

Driver side requires unbolting the motor mounts and raising the engine (with a floor jack) a few inches to get the rear bolts off, and makes it easier to remove the coil packs at the same time.

SubaRoo86 · 10-21-2013, 05:30 PM

Sweet, im thinking its gunna need a changing cuz im getting some oil pooled up on the top of the motor in the vicinity of the manifold and the seam of the valve cover gasket. Does that sound like the same issue that caused you to change yours?

**Dookie** · 10-22-2013, 09:09 AM

Haven't seen too many with oil pooling up on top of the motor. Must of the time the oil will sep down to the bottom and coat the bottom half of the motor. I would recommend cleaning the infected area really good and watch it for a few days to get a better idea where it's coming from.

What year and model?

SubaRoo86 · 10-23-2013, 06:37 AM

its an 05' legacy 2.2. There was oil sitting on the top of the block in the channel with the "japan" stamp and going further back towards the firewall.

**Dookie** · 10-23-2013, 08:27 AM

How does the gasket look on the bottom of the motor? If there is oil there, then it's most likely the valve cover gasket.

**Dookie** · 10-23-2013, 08:28 AM

The 2.2 motors are slightly different from our 2.5 motors. Post a pic of the area if you can.

SubaRoo86 · 10-24-2013, 06:20 PM

its hard to get a good picture with the way the hood casts shadows.

09-13-2013, 10:36 AM	#1
jdizzle Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 5	Headers leaking oil! Exhaust issues Couldn't find any info searching around but I was running invidia up pipe catless dp with magnaflow cb on cobb stage 2 ots map. The magnaflow was leaking at the dp and having fit ment issues. I had to unhook and unbolt the hanger by the rear o2 sensor in order to stop the leak but did not think ahead about bumps in the road. Without the support from the hanger I believe my turbo and up pipe bounced around and loosened up or stripped the exhaust manifold out of the block. I started to notice leaks and immediately put the stock dp back up with all the supports. From inspecting pretty much everything I found an oil leak just above the up pipe and looks like it was coming from the gasket from the headers to the block. Should oil even leak from there?

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09-19-2013, 08:56 AM	#2
Dookie ;-0 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fresno - The arm pit of CA Posts: 5,045	In most cases, if you have oil dripping on the UP, it's usually the valve cover gasket right above it. I've had to replace mine twice already and each time it had dripped on the the UP and could smell burnt oil inside the car. Inspect the valve cover gasket.

10-03-2013, 08:22 AM	#3
jdizzle Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 5	It does look to be just the valve cover gasket

10-11-2013, 07:41 PM	#4
Dookie ;-0 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fresno - The arm pit of CA Posts: 5,045	The valve cover gasket is not a hard job to do, just time consuming. Have you replaced it yet??

10-21-2013, 02:04 PM	#5
SubaRoo86 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 5	Does changing the valve cover gaskets involve pulling the motor?

10-21-2013, 03:40 PM	#6
Dookie ;-0 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fresno - The arm pit of CA Posts: 5,045	No, you can do it while it's still in. Matter a fact, I just did mine last night again, my passenger side gasket doesn't like me much. Passenger side is fairly easy to get to, helps to have a long 10mm wrench. Driver side requires unbolting the motor mounts and raising the engine (with a floor jack) a few inches to get the rear bolts off, and makes it easier to remove the coil packs at the same time.

10-21-2013, 05:30 PM	#7
SubaRoo86 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 5	Sweet, im thinking its gunna need a changing cuz im getting some oil pooled up on the top of the motor in the vicinity of the manifold and the seam of the valve cover gasket. Does that sound like the same issue that caused you to change yours?

10-22-2013, 09:09 AM	#8
Dookie ;-0 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fresno - The arm pit of CA Posts: 5,045	Haven't seen too many with oil pooling up on top of the motor. Must of the time the oil will sep down to the bottom and coat the bottom half of the motor. I would recommend cleaning the infected area really good and watch it for a few days to get a better idea where it's coming from. What year and model?

10-23-2013, 06:37 AM	#9
SubaRoo86 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 5	its an 05' legacy 2.2. There was oil sitting on the top of the block in the channel with the "japan" stamp and going further back towards the firewall.

10-23-2013, 08:27 AM	#10
Dookie ;-0 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fresno - The arm pit of CA Posts: 5,045	How does the gasket look on the bottom of the motor? If there is oil there, then it's most likely the valve cover gasket.

10-23-2013, 08:28 AM	#11
Dookie ;-0 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fresno - The arm pit of CA Posts: 5,045	The 2.2 motors are slightly different from our 2.5 motors. Post a pic of the area if you can.

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10-24-2013, 06:20 PM	#12
SubaRoo86 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 5	its hard to get a good picture with the way the hood casts shadows.