VespaGTS Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 Hi guys, new development on my end. I have an oil leak that shows up on the front edge and above the oil filter. It’s kinda hard to tell where it’s coming from from the underside. Has anyone had issues similar to this? I will post an image when I get to my desktop. Heads rebuilt at 108k. 2007 LGT 140k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 That would be the oil cooler being loose. Next time you have the oil filter off tighten the center stud where the oil filter screws onto. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VespaGTS Posted October 23, 2019 Author Share Posted October 23, 2019 Hi Max, thanks for the quick reply. I am tempted to take it back to the place that did the oil change and have them do it. Not their fault and will cost me oil replacement, but worth it to not have oil on my garage floor or a leak in general. Since I lowered the car with some King springs my damn ramps don't work anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VespaGTS Posted October 23, 2019 Author Share Posted October 23, 2019 Picture of leak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyan Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 the seal may have just gone bad, but try tightening the bolt first. I doubt the oil change place will know wtf is wrong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GearJamr Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 Very interesting. I have the same thing on my LGT and my 11 WRX. Good to know it is a simple fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VespaGTS Posted October 23, 2019 Author Share Posted October 23, 2019 I sure don’t expect the oil change place to diagnose. But since I can’t get the car in the air easily it’s a cheap fix. $80 for Amsoil change. I’ll confirm they can tighten that bolt prior to doing anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nonamedude Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 It's a 24mm deep well to 40ft lbs. Which isn't extremely tight with a 1/2 ratchet or breaker. I always hesitate letting oil change places do anything since the last time I went to one they broke my hood latch release. It's actually been broken twice by two different places and I feel like that's the minimum they should know. That said it looks like it's coming around the cooler. Might be that seal, which is real cheap, or the whole cooler. There's nothing above it though. So unless it's running from the pan or down the front of the engine from somewhere. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VespaGTS Posted October 24, 2019 Author Share Posted October 24, 2019 I’ll try and get a better look from above before I do anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VespaGTS Posted October 24, 2019 Author Share Posted October 24, 2019 Here’s what I can see without removing much. I am going with the oil cooler seal, or it’s just not tight. I am of course open to any ideas. This little hose might be t he culprit too. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nonamedude Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 Nah that hose is coolant. The oil runs straight through the center I think. I'm not entirely sure on that. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nonamedude Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 I definitely think the first thing is to tighten it, whether yourself or a shop of some sort, next step would be pull the cooler off and inspect that oring between the block and the cooler. Maybe you could try wiggling it or spinning it. Although I think it would need to be very loose for that. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VespaGTS Posted October 24, 2019 Author Share Posted October 24, 2019 Will do! I agree tighten it first. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 Thinking about how old that coolant crossover pipe is, I would be careful about letting a oil change place remove the cooler to replace the seal if it comes to that. FWIW, I lay 2x6's on the driveway before my ramps to raise the car a bit so the bumper doesn't hit the ramps. If you need you can make steps in the 2x6's as a pre-ramp. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashwinearl Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 I just had my oil cooler gasket replaced. The symptom was a very slow leak from the area. There was always a few drops on the bottom of the oil filter when I changed the oil. From reading, it is a common problem. The gasket starts to flatten over time and can't seal anymore. Someone had posted a picture of an old one and new one side by side and the new one had more rounded shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottFW Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 Thinking about how old that coolant crossover pipe is, I would be careful about letting a oil change place remove the cooler to replace the seal if it comes to that. Looking at OP's pics I was marveling at how rust-free everything looks in there. Looks like a PNW car. They do salt the roads here, not with New England type frequency, but that coolant pipe is in a great location to get hit with salty road spray, and to then get baked by the exhuast piping to accelerate corrosion. Mine was nasty enough that I replaced it when I did the oil cooler o-ring. Also did the little rubber elbows and clamps to that hardpipe, and the coolant hose between the oil cooler & block. It was only slightly fiddly, not too bad but not something I'd trust to a kwik-e-lube type place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VespaGTS Posted October 24, 2019 Author Share Posted October 24, 2019 FWIW - I don’t use any quick lube places. Fogging a mirror is not my idea of an application process. I’m going to order the O-ring and have it on hand to replace it. Yes, it is a PNW car. As long as you’re not at the coast you’re in good shape. However they love to spread cinders and gravel on the road in Oregon. Which reminds me I need to put my clear bra on since I painted the car this summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VespaGTS Posted October 26, 2019 Author Share Posted October 26, 2019 This is the video I plan on following for the repair. I will not be doing a oil cooler removal unless I have to. Turns out there are 4 seals to replace if you want to dive deep enough. I hope replacing the one between the cooler and the block is enough. If not, well then I guess I will know how to do it in the future. LOL Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nonamedude Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 So I'll have to look again but on my 08 the oil cooler is double that size and I swear it goes straight into the block, nothing else. There's also nothing else in my fsm. 08 not 07 but I didn't think they changed much. The images from maxcapacitys rebuild of his 05 also doesn't look like that. I don't think you need to worry about the other seals. I didn't watch the whole video but I think you are just worried about that one in the cooler. That he says is all you need on the NA vehicles. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VespaGTS Posted October 26, 2019 Author Share Posted October 26, 2019 So I'll have to look again but on my 08 the oil cooler is double that size and I swear it goes straight into the block, nothing else. There's also nothing else in my fsm. 08 not 07 but I didn't think they changed much. The images from maxcapacitys rebuild of his 05 also doesn't look like that. I don't think you need to worry about the other seals. I didn't watch the whole video but I think you are just worried about that one in the cooler. That he says is all you need on the NA vehicles. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk That’s what I am going with as my course of action. Project starts tomorrow afternoon. Just need to pick up oil to refill. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 Going to change the oil in the 09 Spec B today, I'll check to see, but I don't think its any different then the wagon. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 Here's a couple of shots I took today of the 09 Spec B oil cooler 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WahooNo2 Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 I just replaced my seal a few weeks ago it was really smooshed and brittle. If you are planning to do a coolant change in the near future do it then, it is easier than if you are doing just the oil and filter because of clearances. Also get a set of small picks or maybe a piece of steel wire would work to get the old one out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VespaGTS Posted October 29, 2019 Author Share Posted October 29, 2019 I got it done. It’s not as hard as I thought even without removing coolant and dropping the oil cooler out completely. I used a pick to grab the old gasket and the new one dropped right into place. Images attached to show the difference in gasket height. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now