Sandals Posted August 6, 2016 Share Posted August 6, 2016 Hey guys, As some of you know, recently fitted a decat up-pipe second time around with one from good ol' @savage bulldogs. Exhaust leak is all sorted and works perfectly fine, altho now the rocker cover gasket just above where the up-pipe sits has started leaking. Not sure whether something has shifted slightly when trying to man-handle the old up-pipe out or when I jacked up the engine slightly as there is no evidence of it leaking before. So now there is a small amount of oil that seeps out and goes onto the up-pipe and obviously burns away, thankfully it's only a very small amount so it doesn't smoke very much, more the smell gets in the cabin when stationary! Is replacing the gasket an overly difficult task? Potentially something me and my mate can do on my driveway in an afternoon? Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoobyghost Posted August 6, 2016 Share Posted August 6, 2016 Easily a drive way job. Fiddly as hell and you'll fill the swear jar but get it up on ramps and you'll be fine. Most difficult part is getting the gasket to stay in place when refitting the cover. I used a little dab of grease to hold it steady. I'd recommend replacing all associated gaskets so plug seals, half moons and the rubbers for the bolts. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandals Posted August 6, 2016 Author Share Posted August 6, 2016 6 minutes ago, Scoobyghost said: Easily a drive way job. Fiddly as hell and you'll fill the swear jar but get it up on ramps and you'll be fine. Most difficult part is getting the gasket to stay in place when refitting the cover. I used a little dab of grease to hold it steady. I'd recommend replacing all associated gaskets so plug seals, half moons and the rubbers for the bolts. Yeh I can get the full gasket set from import car parts... found a guide that says to use a gasket sealant as well, that should hold the gasket in place? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoobyghost Posted August 6, 2016 Share Posted August 6, 2016 That'll do the job just as well. I didn't need to shift the engine. Just cleared the air filter set up. The cleaning of old sealant is difficult too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandals Posted August 6, 2016 Author Share Posted August 6, 2016 Cheers mate, would much rather try it myself than get my garage to do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoobyghost Posted August 6, 2016 Share Posted August 6, 2016 It's certainly an experience. Just take your time and if it gets too frustrating walk away, have a brew and come back to it. Think I took 4 hours of !Removed! about walking back and forth. You get the cover back on then realise you've still got to refit the intake system 😅😅 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandals Posted August 6, 2016 Author Share Posted August 6, 2016 I've taken off my airbox several times now for doing my up-pipe... i'm a pro at it now :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoobyghost Posted August 6, 2016 Share Posted August 6, 2016 I'd rate an uppipe more difficult and hassle than a rocker so it'll be a breeze. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandals Posted August 6, 2016 Author Share Posted August 6, 2016 2 minutes ago, Scoobyghost said: I'd rate an uppipe more difficult and hassle than a rocker so it'll be a breeze. Yeh, the up-pipe was a massive ball ache! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savage bulldogs Posted August 6, 2016 Share Posted August 6, 2016 Glad the slip jointed up pipe sorted the upipe leak [emoji106] If you use silicone to hold the new gaskets in don't use to much , cos it might ouze out on the inside and block a oil gallery. Don't over tighten the cam cover bolts ,put them all in first and tighten them equally. If a change of plugs is due soon it would probably be worth doing those at the same time [emoji6] If it's not broke .....upgrade it 😊 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandals Posted August 7, 2016 Author Share Posted August 7, 2016 Yeh new spark plugs are on my "to-do" list so will be doing them at the same time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr B Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 If using oem gasket set I would not use silicone & if do use a quality gasket silicone neatly & minimal application. I've done 2 engine builds directly due to diy sump & rocker silicone use so be careful with the stuff as once gasket seated & clamped silicone got no where go besides outer or inner edge of gasket & in time these bits of silicone break off & work through oil passages & are very good at blocking them . I only use oem or blueprint gaskets, most others more hassle than the small saving in price worth . 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandals Posted August 7, 2016 Author Share Posted August 7, 2016 13 minutes ago, Mr B said: If using oem gasket set I would not use silicone & if do use a quality gasket silicone neatly & minimal application. I've done 2 engine builds directly due to diy sump & rocker silicone use so be careful with the stuff as once gasket seated & clamped silicone got no where go besides outer or inner edge of gasket & in time these bits of silicone break off & work through oil passages & are very good at blocking them . I only use oem or blueprint gaskets, most others more hassle than the small saving in price worth . So Genuine Subaru gaskets and nothing else? Would a little grease be better to hold it in place like Scoobyghost suggested? I take it that grease poses significantly less risk? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr B Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 I prefer oem or blueprint as quality is far far better & they don't leak, if use cheaper pattern ones you run risks of hassle with poor fit & light leaks . Blueprint can be found cheap if shop around, even oem subaru comes up cheap at times . Hard to beat oem gasket & seals for stuff like this. Lightly greasing them holds in place & helps them smoothly bed in as bolts tightened. Review manual for your specific model for any finer points . 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savage bulldogs Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 Just re read my half cut post from yesterday [emoji5] and I wasn't suggesting to just use sealant . Just not to use 2 much sealant if you do use some to hold the oe gaskets and half moons in situ . It might be worth checking that you haven't disturbed the turbo oil feed or oil drain pipe too , as they're both in the area of the upipe and up pipe to head bracket [emoji6] If it's not broke .....upgrade it 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savage bulldogs Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 What version is yours sandy ? A mate has a oe subaru right hand gasket set and genuine oil filter for sale that might fit . I'll grab the part numbers of him so you can check [emoji6] If it's not broke .....upgrade it 😊 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savage bulldogs Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 Any good ? If it's not broke .....upgrade it 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandals Posted August 7, 2016 Author Share Posted August 7, 2016 Mines a 2004 Bob WRX... will need to find out if that's for newage, if so I'll def be interested. Thanks for the info on the turbo, i'll check and make sure it's not that that's leaking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savage bulldogs Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 Just thought it might save you a few quid . Doubt they'd fit though as he bought them for his 93 v1 wagon but never got round to fitting them . If it's not broke .....upgrade it 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandals Posted August 7, 2016 Author Share Posted August 7, 2016 9 minutes ago, savage bulldogs said: Just thought it might save you a few quid . Doubt they'd fit though as he bought them for his 93 v1 wagon but never got round to fitting them . If it's not broke .....upgrade it 😊 Yeh i think they are slightly different... Thanks anyway mate, I can get the full kit from ICP for 50 quid delivered so not too bad. Only thing now tho is I got a CEL after I did the resistor fix since i removed the temp sensor. Comes up as a P0031 which comes up as "Front oxygen (A/F) sensor heater circuit low input"... is this the one in the headers just before the up-pipe... if so, that's right where the oil is leaking so that may have damaged it. Or, read online that it's sometimes referred to as the AFR sensor, could my new fuel pump cause that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savage bulldogs Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 Didn't realise your was a newage, unfortunately I don't know much about the up pipe pre cat and extra sensor as I've only ever owned classics. A friend decated his 04 wrx and did say something about a resistor mod that got rid of the eml light but he chose to have a remap and have it mapped out instead . If it's not broke .....upgrade it 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandals Posted August 8, 2016 Author Share Posted August 8, 2016 8 hours ago, savage bulldogs said: Didn't realise your was a newage, unfortunately I don't know much about the up pipe pre cat and extra sensor as I've only ever owned classics. A friend decated his 04 wrx and did say something about a resistor mod that got rid of the eml light but he chose to have a remap and have it mapped out instead . If it's not broke .....upgrade it 😊 Yeh the resistor mod worked because it was a different error code that came up before, can't remember the code but it was for a "temperature sensor". I'll need to double check it all once I've replaced the rocker cover gasket, just annoying I'm working a lot the next few weeks so just gonna have to use the wife's car :/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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