65000 miles, 2005 subaru legacy gt
How bad does this look?
- Thread starter Riptide
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Not bad. Some heavy varnish, but no chunks.
I'd expect something like that on a valve cover. The valve covers don't get "Oiled" it is more of a "mist" of oil.
Very fine particles are flung onto it, almost stuff that is only vaporized elsewhere into a crazy fine mist.
Synthetics to not break down like conventional oils over long runs, and the valve covers is one place that this becomes apparent after many many OCI's.
I wouldn't call it "bad". I'd just clean it with carb or brake cleaner and make sure it is dry before putting it back together.
How does everything look on the engine?
I'd expect something like that on a valve cover. The valve covers don't get "Oiled" it is more of a "mist" of oil.
Very fine particles are flung onto it, almost stuff that is only vaporized elsewhere into a crazy fine mist.
Synthetics to not break down like conventional oils over long runs, and the valve covers is one place that this becomes apparent after many many OCI's.
I wouldn't call it "bad". I'd just clean it with carb or brake cleaner and make sure it is dry before putting it back together.
How does everything look on the engine?
Funny that since it's a Boxer, you can see where the oil actually touches the valve cover on the bottom there, all clean.
Perfectly normal.
Perfectly normal.
Out of curiosity, why did you remove the valve cover? Just for kicks or was it leaking?
Valve cover was off because of a leak. I'm not doing the work myself - an acquaintance who works for subaru is doing it on the side.
Was looking for opinions here because he told me this is an indication of neglect by previous owner(s). His diagnosis seemed rather grim actually. Mentioned I could end up seeing problems down the road. So I was fishing for some opinions here. Never hurts to get a few extra.
Right now I'm running pennzoil platinum 5w30 with a subaru oil filter. Interestingly he also told me he would avoid synthetics on these engines. Having read so much stating the whole synthetics being bad is a myth I am not real inclined to switch despite what he had to say about it.
Was looking for opinions here because he told me this is an indication of neglect by previous owner(s). His diagnosis seemed rather grim actually. Mentioned I could end up seeing problems down the road. So I was fishing for some opinions here. Never hurts to get a few extra.
Right now I'm running pennzoil platinum 5w30 with a subaru oil filter. Interestingly he also told me he would avoid synthetics on these engines. Having read so much stating the whole synthetics being bad is a myth I am not real inclined to switch despite what he had to say about it.
sell it immediately.........
j/k
Looks good to me. I'd give it a quick scrub clean, fix the leak and plug it back in. Whatever combo has been run in it seems to be doing the job. Drive on!
j/k
Looks good to me. I'd give it a quick scrub clean, fix the leak and plug it back in. Whatever combo has been run in it seems to be doing the job. Drive on!
Quote:
His diagnosis seemed rather grim actually. Mentioned I could end up seeing problems down the road
No one can tell anything about what's coming down the road based on what's in that picture.
A little varnish but nothing serious don't sweat that.
Quote:
Right now I'm running pennzoil platinum 5w30 with a subaru oil filter. Interestingly he also told me he would avoid synthetics on these engines
There is nothing in this engines design that would deter from using synthetic oil.
It uses high quality seal materials and Viton O rings, some flanges are sealed with anaerobic sealer. All are oil and for the most part chemical and heat resistant.
I have an old timer here that has run Mobil 1 since day 1 with no leaks.
Continue to run PP or Ultra, the Ultra may provide extra long term cleaning which wont hurt.
His diagnosis seemed rather grim actually. Mentioned I could end up seeing problems down the road
No one can tell anything about what's coming down the road based on what's in that picture.
A little varnish but nothing serious don't sweat that.
Quote:
Right now I'm running pennzoil platinum 5w30 with a subaru oil filter. Interestingly he also told me he would avoid synthetics on these engines
There is nothing in this engines design that would deter from using synthetic oil.
It uses high quality seal materials and Viton O rings, some flanges are sealed with anaerobic sealer. All are oil and for the most part chemical and heat resistant.
I have an old timer here that has run Mobil 1 since day 1 with no leaks.
Continue to run PP or Ultra, the Ultra may provide extra long term cleaning which wont hurt.
OK thanks guys. I do appreciate the opinions on this. I trust my mechanic pretty well but he admitted to me it's debatable as far as whether this is a sure sign of problems to come or not. Hence my search for opinions before making a decision.
He did say his biggest concern was the turbocharger. He's seen subarus with more miles have much cleaner valve covers so to him this was out of the ordinary. And if it had been run on dirty oil the end result might manifest itself with a premature failure of that part. Which is a spendy fix.
Seems to run fine now though so I'm becoming more inclined to just go with this and keep running good oil/filter and maybe just change it more frequently for a while to see if I can pull some of those deposits out.
He did say his biggest concern was the turbocharger. He's seen subarus with more miles have much cleaner valve covers so to him this was out of the ordinary. And if it had been run on dirty oil the end result might manifest itself with a premature failure of that part. Which is a spendy fix.
Seems to run fine now though so I'm becoming more inclined to just go with this and keep running good oil/filter and maybe just change it more frequently for a while to see if I can pull some of those deposits out.
Turbo chargers really benefit from synthetic oils.
Many manufactures even spec a heavier weight oil and synthetic.
Check the PCV valve on this engine, IIRC this is a screw in type. The turbo can really heat and beat up on the oil which contributes to varnish.
Many manufactures even spec a heavier weight oil and synthetic.
Check the PCV valve on this engine, IIRC this is a screw in type. The turbo can really heat and beat up on the oil which contributes to varnish.
I ran 5w30 PP synthetic in my 2000 Forester from the first OC and never looked back. I sold it to a neighbor at 127,000 and he drove it to ~ 140,000+ before a drunk totaled it. Ran excellent all the way to the accident. Ed
Looks hot and poor PCV flow.
Problematic? Pprobable not.
Problematic? Pprobable not.
Most valve covers have that much varnish.
If you have a turbo engine, I would ONLY use synthetic.
If you have a turbo engine, I would ONLY use synthetic.
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