That engine has probably gotten hot also which will kill the rtv. I have an 2016 Outback with 135k and there's a little seepage at best. I agree totally on PCV and oil changes also.

That’s interesting, I genuinely learned something about PCV systems I didn’t really think about before, thanks man!

I am so glad that I found your channel. I have a '18 Impreza 5 door. I am trying to be fanatical about maintenance but I didn't know that the PCV valve would need to be changed so often. 3,000 mile 0w20 synthetic oil and filter changes. Rotate the tires. Air and cabin filters. Valve cleaning with CRC GDI IVD Intake Valve cleaner every 3rd oil change. The whole 9 yards. I pulled mine out today at 45,000 miles and it just barely clicked when I shook it. I had a new one ready to go in. The whole job only took 20 minutes. When you first look down at the PCV valve you're wondering how you're ever going to get it out but it is pretty simple. Just remove the air intake (2 hose clamps and a clip) and set it to the side. Take a pair of 90° bend needle nose pliers and pull the PCV hose off. Then use a 19mm deep swivel socket with a long ratchet and it comes right out. Put some Permatex thread sealer on the PCV valve threads and put it back in. My old PCV valve is in the ultrasonic cleaner and hopefully I'll be able to reuse it.

Brilliant video. We need more guys like you out here on KZfaq.

I have had 3 Subarus in the last 15y...(2005 2.5L outback/ 2005 3.6L Eddie Bauer/ 2014 3.6L Outback).... only the eddie bauer made it past 100K. The 2014 3.6L started having oil consumption problems at 50K miles in 2020, *_WELL_* within the extended Subaru warranty in place and they just kept making me take more tests UNTIL the warranty expired. This car has FAILED 8/10 oil consumption tests over 3 years!! I have been driving an endless oil consumption test, checking in every 1200 miles to document this issue at the dealer for *_3 YEARS_* and Subaru Corporate's only response is to acknowledge the car NOW needs an engine replacement and that the extended warranty is expired.... Subaru is not a quality product anymore. They are riding on old reputation and snake attorneys that know enough about their garbage product to to cut losses by "settling" class action lawsuits at just the right loopholes that the customer can not see until they have fallen into it...If you are looking to buy a Subaru, don't... I regret working with these people and so do the old people I care for who have been negatively impacted by my car problems... [so much for the "Subaru Promise"]

One thing that I seem to notice through different forums and from recent personal experience is timing issues. My 2019 inpreza recently gave me a check engine light. The code that came back was P0016. Took it to the shop, and the mechanic said it was the intake cam sprocket. He said that it's an issue F series engines are having now.

Your comments / content are amazing. Thank you very much for your time & effort. I am brand new to Subaru. Just bought a 70,000 mile, 2018 Outback Limited (so many bells / whistles... almost need to go to a class to learn all that stuff). Anyway.. I think the car is amazing and in incredible condition. But.. the valve carrier cover on the "right" side (passenger side) has a very slow leak. The car has a warranty with the dealer so I just sent the email, pictures, and a link to your video. So far the leak is very light (no real drip, just a slightly darker, wet looking appearance). Can't have started that long ago. The dealer has been amazing up to this point so I hope that will continue. I'll update next week just to let others know what the experience can be like. MrSubaru.. I'm very happy to know you are out there for those of us new to the Boxer world.

Clear and concise info!! Thanks for summing these issue up! 👍

Great informative video! The real life "props" were excellent for demoing.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and adventures!!!

Great video and always excellent!! Thank you sir. New PCV for us last year.....and a new one going into our folks

After a hg leak and a throwout bearing failure, i have left subaru forever. Love my Toyotas!

Thanks for the info. I only wish I knew all of this before we bought my wife her beloved 2015 Outback. The headgasket failed in Oct of '22 -- gratefully we were near home, had the repairs done etc...but yesterday when she went for an oil change/service was told there was oil leaking "on the right" with a recommendation of -- yup, new seals by the next oil change. I"d say the oil leak issue in boxer engines is far from resolved. Makes me appreciate my Hondas and (family) Toyotas

A great informative video for Subaru owners. Even more reason to keep up with oil changes to keep our Subarus running for a long time.

The FB in my 2019 crosstrek sprung a leak at 25k, I have a repair order and the dealer had to pull the engine to fix the oil leak. I was inspecting my engine like I do every month and I found oil near the electric power steering pump on the passenger side.

I would recommend replacing the PCV valve hose on the FB25 engine when replacing the PCV valve. The hose is usually rock hard, has cracks, or both. Great video Robert.

The Ej 253 sohc also has a cam carrier which is sealed with 3bond. Those also leak from the cam caps on the back side of the heads. The cam caps cover the parting line between the head and cam carrier. I think this isn't talked about much because the head gaskets usually fail first and whomever does the repair will reseal the cam carrier while doing the hg job.

This happened to turbo-charged engines also. EJ255, in Australia anyway. No services really helped it, some went out around 80-90 to 120km.

I did a resealing job on my fb20. My mechanic recommended I changed a few extra things while I was in there like the valve seals thermostats and multiple o rings. Also, please use the correct coolant people.

Great video, also with a bad pcv there might be a slight oil consumption! On account that this kind of job cannot be done with the engine inside, I can't agree. ;) It can be done. But it's alot easier with the engine out. If I had such tools I would have done with the engine out. Working with engine in, you just have to be careful and very patient. Especially when taking off cam cariers )) Gravity )). Putting them back with some grease using it as glue will do the trick holding them rockers while installing plates back to its place. Where real pain starts, when the cleaning begins.

You are the best one guy that makes me think my car is a big mistake to have

Burning/leaking oil seems to a problem for decades. Our 2014 consumes way too much oil, the mechanic said not worth fixing, drive it and add oil weekly. Turned off the the whole subaru thing. Best to lease and dump after 3 years.

Great video. I have oil leak on my 2013 legacy. It leaks on the pipe so i do not see it on the ground it just burns up without smell on the cabin. Just have to top of 1qt per 5k miles. Oil is cheeper than repair.

Good informative video and a reminder to check your PCV valve before the engine starts to leak.

My wife’s Outback had a full reseal at 72,000 miles from a cam carrier seal failure. Subaru outdid themselves in making this more complicated than it needed to be and less reliable than it should be by using RTV instead of traditional rubber seals

That engine looks pretty clean inside suggesting that the owner likely kept up with oil changes, however it was still leaking even though it was a supposedly low mileage engine.

Wait... they went back to separate head and cam carrier assemblies like the old EA series?!? Fascinating...

Ha finally a video on my leak!!! But actually there is not a way to prevent this leak. I have replaced my oil every 3,000 miles since the car was brand new. No issues with the PCV.

Great video, just went through this entire re-seal process on a 2018 Forester with the 2.5 after only 45k miles with all previous service done at the local dealer. At least it was under warranty, was only out $30 for a tire rotation, gotta love that low cost of ownership when this happens under warranty 😂

Would this be covered under the warranty? Thanks for making these videos. New follower!

Wish I had known about the 2.5 normally aspirated head gasket failure issue. Engine out...very expensive. That, and a faulty engine computer, made my Volvo XC70 look downright bullet proof.

Even though there’s another place it can leak, is having a cam carrier a better design? You explain things very well, thanks for the video

116k miles on my FB25 and just noticed this on mine 😢. Do my own Regular oil and coolant changes. will have to check my PCV system

The Achilles heel for Subaru is the boxer engine itself. I wouldn’t take a Subaru if you gave it to me. The boxer engine design is the reason I opted for a Honda over a Subaru when I bought a new car ten years ago.

Great vid! Noted, just need to see how to remove the timing chain cover...

Well, I will say I got 191,000 miles out of my 2013 Impreza before the head gasket, yep, the head gasket, began to leak. Some stop leak gave me a few thousand more miles to search for a new car but I did not buy another Subaru. To be honest I simply have no idea where the Subaru reputation for reliability comes from. At 44,000 miles I had to have the valve body or whatever controls the shift points in the CVT transmission replaced. At 90,000 miles I had both rear wheel bearings replaced and by that time the car was burning a quart of oil every 2000 miles. At 138,000 it was time for a new A/C compressor and a quart of oil every 1000 miles. By far the most I've ever spent on repairs to any car in my 33 years of driving and 17 vehicles all of one of which I kept for at least 150,000 miles. Hell, even my 1999 Land Rover Discovery went 160,000 with less than $1500 in repairs before I got paranoid about a major failure and sold it and there's very few experts who would recommend the LR over the Subaru for reliability. It's a one off example I'm aware but I've got 16 other examples that did better including 9 that went over 200,000 with less than $1000 in repairs each and a 2000 Nissan Sentra that went 226,000 without any repairs before I traded it. My mother tried an Outback and had the same oil burning issue and had to replace the rear wheel bearing before 70,000 miles as well. A good friend's son has a BRZ (not sure what year) and has this oil leak which is getting severe. Even the lady who sold me and my mom our cars and was a die hard Subaru fanatic no longer owns one because of the issues with them and she gets labor at cost as a perk of working for the dealer for 25 years!

RTV lasts 350k miles on other makes for timing covers and cam carriers. I think there might be more to it, maybe a poor choice of RTV? Maybe the expansion/contraction of of boxer is different than an I4 or a V8, I don't know.

the opening looks like a mint engine!

The new engine series in subaru's are better than the EJs, sure. But they still have concerns consumers are needing to be aware of that will lead to needing the engine pulled out to have it serviced. To be completely honest, the EJs were better at being solid after doing headgaskets once (the right way with MLS) and doing a timing belt kit every 100k. I miss my 02' obs in retrospect, but I'm not sure I'll ever want to go back after getting a toyota and not having to deal with any of this crap. You do the same type of intervals and you don't need to have your engine pulled out to eventually seal everything back up with rtv.

Hi there. I enjoy occasionally watching your videos mainly because I've been in the market for a Subaru car. I still consider purchasing one in the future which is why I watch your channel to stay up to date on issues with these cars should I ever decide to get one. I wish to share feedback from my perspective which others may share. When you speak of these new findings, you often talk about the engine model but for the lay person, that doesn't mean much. Would be super helpful if in the beginning you mention along with the engine name/type the model and year of the car this issue affects, that way right away as we watch we know what car(s) you are talking about. I hope you find this feedback helpful.

I had a 2012 Impreza sport 2.0, never had head gasket issues even with lots of miles, and when I worked at Subaru there wasn’t a lot of head gasket issues with stuff built in the last 10 years or so if they were stock. However the big issue with the 2.0’s is an issue with piston rings allowing excessive oil burning, which I personally experienced and got a new engine block free from Subaru North America on a service bulletin (oil consumption test failed hard)

Excellent explanation! Well, I'm definitely keeping my 2005 Forester XS. I have pulled the engine at 198,000 miles and replaced the head gaskets with SixStar gaskets and replaced the clutch plate and ancillary parts including all engine seals. Even if I have to replace the short block I will and keep the car. These new Subarus with all the electronic gizmos in them with functions I'd never use; I'll pass. Thanks for the continuing very informative videos!

Always enjoy your Subaru updates even though I have to watch with a remote in one hand and Maalox in the other lolo. At 72 years old I've been a long time owner of Subaru's. Presently a 2019 Forester and 2012 Impreza. I know you tell us the model engine with issues but for an old timer telling us also the actual Subaru model and year would also be helpful. Now that I said my peace, after watching this issue, I'm off to the pharmacy for a backup supply of Maalox lolo. Stay well and thanks for all your informative videos. Anthony

As someone who works for service at a Subaru dealer, Getting a whole bunch of lower oil pan leaking from the FA24 (Turbo)

Subaru has reccomended replacing the PCV valve every 30k miles for as long as I can remember, so it's definitely a good idea to replace the valve regularly 👍 Based on what I've seen in the shop at the Subaru store in our dealer group, re-seals on these engines are indeed very common...there's usually at least one engine out every time I stop by, usually at around the 100k mile mark. Some parts around the mating surface of the cam carrier (corners I think), the metal looks almost perfectly smooth, like there's no ability in the surface for the RTV to "sink into" if that makes sense, and it just squishes out the sides.

Multi layer steel head gaskets also fail, although factory oem versions typically take longer to fail and fail in a different wa y(they don't leak oil like single layer gaskets). late 90's 3 layer 2.5l cars would fail internally at 80-120k, 3 layer gaskets on the 10-12 Legacys/Outbacks are typically good to 120-140 before they fail internally (combustion gas in antifreeze , eventual overheating issues, same for Fel-pro aftermarket 3 layer gaskets are typically good for 40-50k hence the reason we call them fail-pros. Speaking from experience, 200 Subaru head gasket jobs a year for nearly ten years.

I remember reading that the head gasket issue was fixed for the 09 model year lol, well after new gaskets from head to valve covers my ej253 is leak free at 209K miles.

Wonder if longevity could have been improved if they decided to go with an anaerobic sealant rather than standard rtv. Done enough VAG engines to say it probably wouldn't but could be interesting to test.

I don't know what model engine is in my 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, but you're making me wish I had bought another brand! 😀

the factory should have used anaerobic sealant (like Permatex 51845 or Loctite 518) instead of RTV. when you have 2 machined surfaces anaerobic sealant is way better. RTV should only be used on tins like oil pans. if subaru had used anaerobic it would have also prevented much of the BRZ oil pump screen debacle. Anaerobic only cures when it is clamped between 2 machined surfaces so if you use too much it just mixes into the oil and gets drained out next oil change instead of clogging stuff up..

Thanks for sharing. Love my FA16, will have a lookout for the recommended maintenance.

Are there no options for Subaru to use a better gasket in the first place? I'm sure anyone would pay a couple hundred for better materials and the security of dodging engine-out repairs. I had the head gaskets on my EJ replaced with MLS gaskets when I did the timing belt replacement. They were just starting to sweat. Dodged ever having a head gasket issue.

It's not a joke. I have a 2018 Subaru outback 38000 miles. I've done had it in for a head gasket subaru pay for.

Can you do a video of the TCV? A lot of new forester owners have had to get them replaced. Subaru does not want to issue a recall but seems every tcv fails after 20k miles

in my 2005 STI, head gaskety failed 8 times, before 100k miles, but i also had it tuned 😂

That's just part of the corrosion protection package.

Thanks for letting me know! I think he likes to hear himself talk talk talk.

I’ve done a few head gasket jobs on the 3.0 Tribeca engine (the early ones that required 93 octane gas).

People are astounded when I tell them I clean my PCV and EGR out yearly, but then they go out and buy a new vehicle every few years because the old one was burning oil. My 2015 impreza is around 110k and it doesn't use any oil that I can tell.

This is exactly my problem with my 2012 Impreza base model with 350,000 kms, although it started leaking back at 170,000 when I bought it used. I've been topping off the oil, which is about 1 L every 5000 km's, but the unbearable part is when it drips on the exhaust and the burning oil comes into the cabin and stinks. My PCV valve has always been in good shape when checked but who knows about the previous owner. I have an outstanding recall for the balce springs which means the motor has to come out, and will ask them to reseal the cam box as part of that job.

I'll keep an eye out for this issue. Thanks. I curious, tho... similar to valve cover leaks... I can just keep it topped off till I have time to deal with it? My ole forester always had clean oil, LOL.

EJ251s bad the gasket issues a lot. Getting some MLS ones from an EJ255/257 in mine!

how about a quick primer please on proper RTV application for those of us just now re sealing our FB engines

Bought my wife a Outback limited in 2010? It was her second Subaru. First head gasket went at 60k and second at 100k. Her first was a early 90’s model that left us stranded twice due to snapped timing belts. I don’t ever see us looking at much less buying a Subaru again. Bought her an Audi a few years ago and it has been flawless.

I somehow love my EZ30D even more now. I know how labor intensive a timing chain is so I can only imagine these new engines.

My 2009 Subaru imprea sport with the 2.5i NA still has the original head gasket

Hey man I’ve got a question my 05 legacy gt has a great deal of blow by and I’m looking to get a new shortblock. Would it be worth it to get a sti type ra shortblock at around 2300$ or should I try to find a remanned ej255 or 257?

How have the 2.4 turbos been? For reliability - I love it in my 2022 legacy xt

65K 17' Impreza. Noticed I was leaking from the smell :( Guess I'll jump on that PCV replacement ASAP, can't remember if the dealer replaced with the recall...or when that was...might as well replace for the low cost. try to fight off further seal leaking! I'm only leaking on the driver's side

RTV sealing of major engine components is one of my pet peeves for modern auto manufacturing!!! My daughter-in-law's VW turbo Beetle seems to be 50% RTV, with the resultant mess and points of failure! PCV system, head to block, head to cam carrier, and cam carrier to valve cover -- ALL RTV sealed. 3 water pumps in 95K miles since oil seeps out and down and kills the plastic bodied water pumps. Spent $80 more on the last pump to get an aftermarket metal bodied water pump. "Cheaping out" to save a few manufacturer's dollars, while adding service work for your dealers... Subies may not be perfect (our family has had 7), but the passionate fanbase makes them far easier to self-service compared to other brands!

Is it possible to put a summary at the top of the comments that describes the issue and the engine and model years affected? Thanks

I've got this exact issue on my 2015 Outback. Dealer wanted $2300 to fix. I'll live with the small leak as long as possible.

Can I just say that I'm tired of owning two Subies, and I can't wait to get rid of them? None of my Toyotas or Hondas ever had any issues at all, and I don't even watch Scotty Kilmer to have it drummed into my brain.

As of 6/26/2024 my sister 2019 Crosstrek 2.0 L just had a head gasket leak (oil and coolant mixing) @ 97k miles. Maintenance was properly done in the dealership, and she had a recent oil change a month after this gasket started to leak. Subaru dealership wanted $6500 to replace the gasket, but we decided to go to a known Subaru performance shop and got us a used 30k mile JDM engine. Coolant hoses and radiator were also replaced and it will only cost us $5500 for everything. It sad the this gasket issue still happens on the 2.0L engine used for the Crosstrek.

I work in the parts department at a Subaru dealer and we have done numerous engine is 18+up cars and they all seem to be turbo cars

I take good care of my 21 Crosstrek! Do all the recommended service! Great video, thanks!!

I work at a small Subaru dealership we do many of these. Looking back in the history back to November 2022 we have done the following vehicles: 18 OB W/33k miles, 11 FOR W/130k, 19 IMPRZ W/97k, 18 IMPRZ 40K, 15 FOR 88K, 17 FOR 79k, 16 FOR 89K, 19 FOR 51K, 17 LEG 68K, 13 IMPRZ 76k, 17 LEG 90K. The 19 Impreza with 97k is an employee, bought new, and has done oil changes here every 6k and PCV every 30k.

At this point Subaru should just use Toyota inline 4 cylinder engines lol.

Hi Robert, Thanks for another great content. Could you tell me what is the good interval to change PCV valve for this engine? (in your opinion), and .. Is it how easy or difficult to replace for DIYers ?

For the concern from GR86 owner, what recommendation on future-proofing mods or regularly checking subject would be?

I need to bring my car to you. I’m not kidding. I need to have my Subaru properly set and serviced. I will literally drive to your garage from Maine.

I would say that would be cool but I don’t have newer Subaru money right now so I’ll be sticking with my 200,000 mile naturally aspirated 09 Forester the head gaskets are seeping a little engine oil. Typically I have to add a quart between oil changes, so I do not think that is too bad yet.

All the EJ's had external oil leaks from the head gaskets, even the turbo version.

You should thy out Hondabond HT or Honda Ultra Flange sealer on those leaks

Is this RTV the same material that some have found floating loose in the oil pan as a leftover from the original manufacturing process?

Hello Robert, Thank you for informing us on these issues. Quick question, does this impact the 3.6R engine in a 2015 Outback? Also, is it hard to change the PCV valve on the flat 6? Thank you for your help!

What was the cause of spun rod bearing in this case? Bad maintenance, since it's already leaking at the carrier/head join too?

How is the fb25d engine? My wife has a 21 forester sport. She plans to keep it longterm and just wanted to know about the longevity of the engine and the cvt transmission in it

Do you think replacing the PCV valve on the FA24D engines will be a good idea? (I have a 2023 GR86 for reference) I plan on owning it for a long time so I want to make sure it stays healthy

I have a 2013 Subaru cross track that loses oil. Do you think it could be coming from the piston rings or is that an issue?

I had a Subaru Forester Turbo S for about 10 years and I won't have another. In the UK the parts are difficult to find, it also became rattley.

Had to fix this on my mother's XV but it is what it is

Dammit . It's ... Like they're conspiring to have us in EV's

My head gasket blew on my 2016 outback fb25. Is in the shop at the moment $3695 quote for complete reseal!!!!

Exactly whats happening with the Forester I bought…. 68T km mileage but helluva full of leaks…. Valve cover gaskets leaks,timing chain cover leaks, pcv leaks, water line leaks…. Axle rods leaks…. My pocket is now full of leaks….. but runs great….. just that it smells of burnt oil after running due to all of the leaks….

Love your channel. Excellent info! Question for you. I just purchased a 2023 Forester. After researching Subaru history, and watching your channel I’ve determined that it’s crucial to pay CLOSE attention to the oil level. I only have 600 miles so far, and so after the first fill up I decided to check the oil and from what I can tell it’s WAY over filled! I’m guessing at least 3/4 a quart! Is this on purpose from the manufacturer aid in engine break in? Could this be a mistake? Should I be concerned?

FB engines are an example of an engine that benefited from internal study of common failures learned with the EJ. the FB (and FA) are not necessarily problem free, but a definite step in the right direction.

Add the VTC sprocket to common issues on FA20 engines too, pricy fix.

I've owned Subarus i the past, some day I'd like to again. It would be an older one. When I see the situations with the FB25, I'm thinking a Subaru with a reconditioned EJ25 may be a better choice. There's a dealership that claims to replace the timing belts and head gaskets on every one the sell with an EJ25, and more recently they note the carrier cam seals are redone on the FB25. I know it's when, but not if the carrier cam seal will go - but many reviews of owners of 5+ year old FB25 vehicles rate them as very reliable with no significant repairs. I wonder if some aren't aware of the cam seal leak. Forums I've read have some owners that are aware of it, but not treating it as an urgent matter. An FB25 with the reseal done I think would be a good option.

My FA 20DIT has been leaking from the cam carriers/timing cover from day one and are still leaking.. decided to not get them done by the clowns at the dealership as I didnt want more problems. lol