Are you losing significant amounts of oil between oil changes? When Subarus had timing belts, it was a common thing to replace when the belt was done. Yours has a chain so it isn't like you need that replaced.
If oil isn't pouring out, I'd just keep an eye on oil consumption and keep driving it. 3K3 is a lot of money to stop a tiny leak. You can buy a lot of oil for that money..

 

... When Subarus had timing belts, it was a common thing to replace when the belt was done. ...

Hmmm... No

The cam carrier leak is essentially a valve cover leak. Subaru uses sealant for this and the failure seems pretty common. I noticed some oiling on the motor on my '12 before 50K, but never bad enough to drip. My mechanic also alerted me about it. Another reason to never use the dealer for service and they won't point out warranty work. Since they had to pull the motor to fix, and I had a 7/70 I waited until 69,900 miles to have it fixed.

If I had to pay to fix, I'd wait 'till it was an actual problem.

 

It’s hard for them to get right too, I think I had to send back my 2011 to the dealer for a total of three times before the seal was right since it’s not a gasket, seems pretty common but if it’s covered in warranty then I would try and get that done, otherwise it’s not cost effective IMO (it seems even more expensive than headgaskets on the EJ25’s).
The only reason I had it done was for the FB25 oil consumption test, and there couldn’t be any leaks while testing it, thankfully mine was done under warranty

 

My dealer always pointed out issues when the car was in the factory and extended warranty. I would take them in just for a multipoint inspection. They don't care, its cash in the bank for the service department. On my 08 Outback, they pointed out rear shocks, and control arm bushings

 

Some of you have better dealers than I do. I had an extended warranty. My dealership waited until the first time I took it in for routine maintenance AFTER my warranty expired to point this out. I have a 2011 and there was a service memo sent out about this issue 5 years prior to the warranty expiration. So they had five years to check it. Did anyone check it while I was still covered? Of course not.

Anyway, my estimate was close to yours: $3,400. It wasn't even dripping when they first brought it to my attention, though now it is... very slowly. I check the oil every couple weeks, and I barely ever have to add oil. I think I added 1/2 a quart before my last oil change. So, while the small oil stain on my drive is annoying, no I'm not going to spend $3,400 to have this fixed. (And if I did want to fix it, I would go to an independent mechanic who would probably charge me half.)

Regarding the service department not caring, because it's cash for them either way: don't they make less under pricing agreements under warranty than they do charging the customer directly?

 

 

Dealership told me I had a similar leak on my 2011 Forester. Unfortunately, they said it wasn't covered. I had the engine block replaced at 60,000 miles under warranty (oil use) and I thought the warranty was extended, but guess not to 106,000 I have on the car now. Mine appears to be leaking slightly, but it's just one more nail in the coffin for Subaru.

 

This ended up being under warranty (I had to specifically ask) and will get fixed this weekend. Thanks so much for pointing out that this was covered under warranty! You guys ROCK!

 

I also have a 2015 Limited 2.5i Forester with a leaky front timing chain cover. When you say we have a 100,000 mile extended warranty, are you referring to an extended warranty policy that you bought and paid for for your car, or an extended warranty coverage that Subaru issued for all 2015 Foresters? I know about the extended 10 yr/100k miles warranty extension for our CVT transmissions but not about any engine coverage.

 

I have same issue with my 2015 Forester 2.5, already have 120k miles on it and dealer said would cost $3.3K to fix it. The dealer mechanic told me it's not worth it to reseal it, but to keep an eye on the oil level.

 

My 2014 is at the dealer - wanting some maintenance done and some checks on items that would be covered under the soon-to-expire 7/70 Gold + extended warranty. They found the cam carriers leaking, covered under the warrant. Cost would be due to the major work (I was told they have to pull the motor from the body)... So that's getting done. I also have not noticed any leaks at all (drips on the driveway)....

While it's out, they're also going to do a valve adjustment as I've been mentioned a "ping" or detonation like sound during low acceleration (between 1200 and 2500 RPM...)....

 

My 2014 is at the dealer - wanting some maintenance done and some checks on items that would be covered under the soon-to-expire 7/70 Gold + extended warranty. They found the cam carriers leaking, covered under the warrant. Cost would be due to the major work (I was told they have to pull the motor from the body)... So that's getting done. I also have not noticed any leaks at all (drips on the driveway)....

While it's out, they're also going to do a valve adjustment as I've been mentioned a "ping" or detonation like sound during low acceleration (between 1200 and 2500 RPM...)....

My 2015 is in for radiator replacement that was leaking at lower left corner (probably the plastic tank to aluminum core rubber gasket) and they said replacing a couple coolant o-ring seals due to this also, I'm guessing thermostat and the oring?

While in for cooling sysem repair they found my cam seals (fip gaskets) leaking and are doing the fix under my Subaru Gold 7years/100k miles extended warranty. I've never seen any oil drips on the ground or inside the plastic lower engine covers.

Is the valve adjustment a requirement every so many miles?

 

I had mine done at 40k and found the same leak at 80k and been driving it for 15k more... while doing a lift kit and lower control arms, I found that the flower pot that did the repair (which only covers 1 year) didn’t completely scrape off the old gasket (sealant) and it appears to be leaking there... I will be sending the pictures of my discovery to Subaru of America... O have had a problem every time I have gone to the dealer with hidden charges, broken panels, and misdiagnoses. I was told my tires were wearing fast because I didn’t have an alignment (60k tires replaced at 24k)... when I did them myself, found the wheel hub was shot, and appear to have been a for a while... 850 miles past my extended warranty... “sorry, you are out of warranty”

 

Dealerships are instructed by SOA not to point out anything under warranty unless it's a safety issue but at that point it's probably already in a recall. Warranty work can't be "unsold" because the manufacturer will eventually audit them for costing them too much money. If you have an extended 3rd party warranty (which is still what the Subaru extended warranty is) they will upset that all day because as another commenter mentioned it's money in the bank. This would not be covered under your 100,000 mile powertrain warranty though. You should take your car to an independent who is familiar with Subarus and get a second opinion. You probably have a "seep" and not a leak.

 

I have had my 2016 Aus, forester for nearly 5 years, 5 year Warranty expires in 3 months. Car goes crazy with error lights. Take it in to subaru (previously had own mechanic deal with it) Subaru said its under warranty and will fix any issues. Says oil leaked from cam carrier but...oil leaked onto a sensor, thats why everything lit up. So got lucky. They repaired it, took a week. Km are low, cant remember exactly but about 100k.

 

Hiya @Natedog - no the valve adjustment is not needed every so many miles. I'd had (and still have) a recurring issue with a knock-like detonation sound at certain speeds and because of this previous issue, they did the valve adjustment when the engine was out to see if that would make the noise go away.

 

OK, didn't recall reading about that thanks for answering and hope your issue gets fixed too! My Forester is still in the shop, hate the Cadillac AWD CT5 rental...bad interior ergonomics, handling, mpg...lol.

 

I was really always happy with my loaners from my local Subie store... I'd always set up the appointment with the service advisor to make sure there was a loaner in stock. Most times it was another Forester, a few Outback wagons and an Ascent or two... Oh, then there was the miniature Impreza 4 door and a Legacy sedan once too....

 

Their service department are super busy it seems, they don't have a lot of loaners (preferable) but gave me Enterprise Rental no charge, just reaffirms that I prefer a bit smaller, sportier vehicle with good headroom lol.

 

Took it back to dealer the other day and had them drain off the excess overfilled engine oil and check for any new leaks, all good so far now.

 

Found that they broke the plastic wire retainer on front of engine that keeps cam adjuster wires out of the serpentine belt (doesnt' look like anything I've seen available aftermarket) and left out a couple pop in clips that hold the plastic under engine 'skidplate' in place. Always something at this dealer...going to call SOA.

 

Thats really bad. Do you know if they documented your complaint in the past ? If so I would be pushing hard. Let them know what a women scorned is capable of.
Dealers like this should be named just like we name good ones.


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There is a TSB Regarding this issue!

 

@Excessgas note that @r4ffi last signed onto the forum 2 years ago. You could send the member a PM - Private Message... now called a "conversation" on this new site. The member is optioned to receive an e-mail notification, so you could receive a reply to your question.

Bobby...

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Subaru has a TSB regarding this issue.