urdrwho Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 My sons 95 Legacy didn't pass inspection and the reason was there is oil on the engine from valve covers that are leaking. What? That was a new one on me and in my 60 years I've never heard of an inspection failing because the engine was getting dirty. It was a safety inspection not an environmental inspection. What happened was my son waited until the last day and couldn't go to my usual mechanics and we had to go to someone we never before used for inspection. The shop owner telephoned me to tell me it wouldn't pass. First he said it was the head gasket. I say, that is odd because we aren't using any coolant and the car runs fine. I told him I am a car kind of guy and then he said, "well I mis-spoke, they are the valve covers that are leaking." He then said that the easiest way to fix it is to pull the engine. Hm? At that point I knew something was amiss. I've changed many a valve cover gasket on different types of cars. Some of the eight cyl rear gaskets are hard to do but I've never pulled an engine to replace the gaskets. Then he said there is a very bad power steering leak. I then went on to tell him that in the past year (since my last fluid flush) I haven't had to put any power steering fluid in the reservoir and the fluid was at the recommended point in the reservoir. I told him don't touch the car, I'm on my way to get it. He did put a new emissions sticker on the car and I was out $70. Looking at the car there doesn't seem to be anything unusual about replacing the valve cover gaskets or am I missing something on the Subbie horizontal engine? He also said that we need rotors all the way around. I haven't pulled the wheels to look but from the other BS...I think he is probably lying. Plus doesn't the 95 Legacy L wagon have drums in the back? I've seen mechanics take their fingers across the wiper blades, as if they are checking something. I can hear it now....lady you need new wiper blades! The inspection manual says if the blade cleans the windshield in 3 swipes, it passes. The feeling of the blade is show and a way to sell wiper blades. My opinion is that the entire inspection thing is my State is set up to take advantage of unsuspecting car owners. So are the gaskets an easy job? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subikid90 Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 What state? That is stupid if you ask me! Yes they are easy, space is tight but it doesnt require the motor to be pulled. -Subikid90 1997 Legacy GT 5spd & EJ251 w/EJ25D heads ~10.5CR 1998 Legacy GT Limited waiting for EJ22T hybrid swap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Donated broknindarkagain Posted July 8, 2012 I Donated Share Posted July 8, 2012 Yes they are easy. Using 1/4 ratchet and a short 10mm socket or a 10mm gear wrench is really all you need. -broknindarkagain My Current Project - Click Here COME AND TAKE IT "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyposeur Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Way easy! $30 bucks or so for the new gaskets. Don't tighten the bolts too much. Just get them a little snug. They will bottom out right away. I can post pics if you get desperate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urfsin Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Sounds like the shop was trying to take you for a ride. IF you have to replace your valve cover gaskets, then it's not a big deal and not too hard. But as others have said, don't torque down the bolts too much or they WILL snap. If they snap, you will have a big ass headache on your hands. The torque spec on the valve cover bolts is only like 14 lbs or something like that. It sounds to me like you just need to take it to another inspector and see if it passes. Slide It Sideways Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subikid90 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Sounds like the shop was trying to take you for a ride. IF you have to replace your valve cover gaskets, then it's not a big deal and not too hard. But as others have said, don't torque down the bolts too much or they WILL snap. If they snap, you will have a big ass headache on your hands. The torque spec on the valve cover bolts is only like 4.7 lbs or something like that. It sounds to me like you just need to take it to another inspector and see if it passes. The torque value is not 14ftlbs, that will break them. The correct value is 4.7ftlbs or 56.4inlbs -Subikid90 1997 Legacy GT 5spd & EJ251 w/EJ25D heads ~10.5CR 1998 Legacy GT Limited waiting for EJ22T hybrid swap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyposeur Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 The 95 Ls have disc brakes in the rear. I have seen 95 imprezas and early OB sports w/drums though. And yeah, 14ftlbs is asking for a snapped bolt. The fsm calls for only 3.6 ftlbs. Good call not trusting that mechanic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urdrwho Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 Thanks for all the information and yes, I think he was trying to take me for a ride. I thought that they were probably a piece of cake to replace. Glad to hear they are discs on the rear because it has been forever since I did drums and my tools for that operation are someplace unknown to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urdrwho Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 State = PA What state? That is stupid if you ask me! Yes they are easy, space is tight but it doesnt require the motor to be pulled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acastro516 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 State = PA Where in pa is this Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urdrwho Posted July 10, 2012 Author Share Posted July 10, 2012 York, PA Where in pa is this Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mater Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 I have a WV and Va state inspection card and that is the first time I have ever heard of anyone being failed because of fluid on the engine. Normally all we check is tires, body, suspension (cv boots, sagging springs etc) lights and exhaust. If I was you I would contact the state police and request a copy of the state inspectors book if it isnt in there then turn him it for fraud the will pull his license. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urdrwho Posted July 11, 2012 Author Share Posted July 11, 2012 The mechanic said it poses a fire hazard. What a crock of you know what! Yes oil can burn but it isn't combustible like gasoline fumes. Even if you poured a can on the hot exhaust, I doubt that it would catch fire. Drips on an exhaust would dissipate as soon as it hit the exhaust. Smoke...yes....fire --- highly unlikely. Taking his view of hazards, yes there is a possibility that I could get struck by lightening. So for $1,325, my neighbor the car dealer sold my son a 2002 Saturn L200, a very nice car. Now I get the Subbie to play with and will be getting it inspected. Not sure yet what I am going to do with the inspector. I have a WV and Va state inspection card and that is the first time I have ever heard of anyone being failed because of fluid on the engine. Normally all we check is tires, body, suspension (cv boots, sagging springs etc) lights and exhaust. If I was you I would contact the state police and request a copy of the state inspectors book if it isnt in there then turn him it for fraud the will pull his license. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyposeur Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 Now that it is yours you are obliged to post a pic of your new L. They can look pretty sweet with a bit of elbow grease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urdrwho Posted July 11, 2012 Author Share Posted July 11, 2012 I have a bit of work to do on it. In May my son rear ended another car. I've already replaced the headlight and grill. The hood will need some TLC or a replacement. It looks like someone threw a small punch at the hood. Then attend to some rust that is above the right rear wheel well. Now that it is yours you are obliged to post a pic of your new L. They can look pretty sweet with a bit of elbow grease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brokentv Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 My valve cover is leaking as well mines on the driver side, good to know it sounds like a straight forward repair. Does anyone know how to tell how much oil is currently in the engine? I've been checking my oil regularly because of this leak, on the dip stick is showing below the F and I'm wondering if there is a way to tell how much oil to add if I was to do so because I have another good 1000 miles before the its time for a oil change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyposeur Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 Just add a little oil, check the dipstick, add more oil, etc., until it is up to the Full mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brokentv Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 Ok hopefully i didn't over fill it. I checked it this morning and it was reading just above the L on the dipstick so I added just over half a quart which brought it just below the F then I decided to check it once more after driving it all day and now its reading up to that notch on the dipstick above the F which worries me. Do you get the most accurate readings on the dipstick in the morning when the engine is cold or after driving it and letting it sit for a while when its still warm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyposeur Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 The owners manual says to warm up the engine for a few minutes and then checking the oil. This gives a few minutes for the oil to distribute throughout the engine. But I check mine cold too, it's not that much of a difference usually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_ Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 The mechanic said it poses a fire hazard. What a crock of you know what! Yes oil can burn but it isn't combustible like gasoline fumes. Even if you poured a can on the hot exhaust, I doubt that it would catch fire. Drips on an exhaust would dissipate as soon as it hit the exhaust. Smoke...yes....fire --- highly unlikely. Taking his view of hazards, yes there is a possibility that I could get struck by lightening. So for $1,325, my neighbor the car dealer sold my son a 2002 Saturn L200, a very nice car. Now I get the Subbie to play with and will be getting it inspected. Not sure yet what I am going to do with the inspector. Well, I tested this for you a few years ago with a Plymouth Sundance that was leaking oil and I had to add some. I added it to a hot engine and spilled some on the hot exhaust. YES oil does flair up and burn! I grabbed the windshield washer bucket and doused it. You guessed it! That spread the flames! I want inside and grabbed the fire extinguisher. When I got back to the car there was just a little flame that I blew out. OIL will burn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.