02-131-12R

ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER
PARTS MANAGER
CLAIMS PERSONNEL
SERVICE MANAGER
q
q
q
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IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
Initial in the boxes
provided, right.
SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: 2012-21MY Forester
		 2012-21MY Impreza
		 2015-20MY WRX
SUBJECT:
NUMBER:
DATE:
REVISED:
02-131-12R
07/18/12
06/29/23
Oil Seepage Diagnosis and Repair Procedures
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this Bulletin is to provide procedures for the diagnosis and repair of oil seepage
which may be coming from the timing chain cover, front camshaft cap, camshaft carrier and / or
upper oil pan.
There are five areas that should be closely inspected if an oil leak is reported by the customer:
1. The 6mm tapped hole casting boss area in the left-hand camshaft cap
2. The sealing surfaces between either the left or right-hand camshaft cap and camshaft carrier
3. The sealing surfaces between the cylinder head and camshaft carrier
4. The sealing surface between the upper oil pan and the engine block
5. The sealing surfaces of the front timing chain cover
Note: Refer to the April 2011 issue of TIPS for more information on Fluid Leak Detection.
If oil seepage is verified coming from the 6mm threaded
hole in the left-hand camshaft cap, install the specified
bolt and flat washer.
Bolt: Part# 800206180
Washer: Part# 031106000
Tightening Torque: 6.4 +/- 0.5 Nm
(57 +/- 4 inch-pounds)
Continued...
CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS COULD
RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.
Subaru Service Bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. They
are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles,
or to provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly
trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to
do the job correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that this
Service Bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition.
Bulletin Number: 02-131-12R; Revised: 06/29/23
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. IS
“ISO 14001 COMPLIANT”
The international standard for excellence
in Environmental Management Systems.
Please recycle or dispose of automotive
products in a manner that is friendly to our
environment and in accordance with all
local, state and federal laws and regulations.
Page 1
If oil seepage is verified coming from the front camshaft cap or cam carrier as shown in the
photos below, remove the cam cap and clean both surfaces thoroughly before applying sealer.
Note: The 2 o-rings between the camshaft cap and the cam carrier will need to be replaced as
they are not re-usable.
Oil seepage
Camshaft cap
Oil seepage
Rocker Cover
Camshaft cap
Cam carrier
Cam carrier
Chain Cover
Apply Liquid Gasket, ThreeBond 11217H (SOA868V9610) or equivalent* as shown below:
Right Hand
Left Hand
Sealant applying
diameter: 3.5mm
Sealant applying
diameter: 3.5mm
Sealant applying
diameter around
the 4 bolt holes:
2.0mm. There are
non-re-usable
o-rings around the
two center bolt
holes which require
replacement.
Sealant applying
diameter: 3.5mm
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 02-131-12R; Revised: 06/29/23
Page 2
If oil seepage is verified coming from between the cam carrier and the cylinder head as
shown in the photos below, remove the cam carrier. Clean the machined sealing surfaces
thoroughly and then re-seal using Liquid Gasket ThreeBond 1217H (SOA868V9610) or
equivalent*. As shown in the photos below, the o-rings between the cam carrier and the
cylinder head will need to be replaced as they are not re-usable. This would also be a good
time to clean the Active Valve Control System (AVCS) filter screens which are contained in
the cam carriers. NOTE: The filter screens are one-time use and must be replaced if they
need to be removed. The replacement filter part# is 14451AA050.
Top Left View
Cam carrier seepage seen from top left
and lower right side of engine
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 02-131-12R; Revised: 06/29/23
Page 3
Cam carrier o-rings requiring replacement
AVCS filter screen in cam carrier
If you find engine oil seepage between the cylinder block and upper oil pan, remove the upper oil
pan, clean the machined sealing surfaces thoroughly and then re-seal using Liquid Gasket ThreeBond
1217H (SOA868V9610) or equivalent*. Note: The o-rings between the upper oil pan and the
cylinder block along with those between the upper and lower oil pan will need to be replaced as they
are not re-usable.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 02-131-12R; Revised: 06/29/23
Page 4
As viewed from the rear, oil seepage
from the upper pan to engine block
sealing area may be present in
these areas.
Photo shows seepage from upper oil
pan to engine block sealing surfaces.
IMPORTANT: The oil level switch o-ring is a one time use part and should be replaced when
the switch is removed, replaced, or when the upper oil pan is resealed.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 02-131-12R; Revised: 06/29/23
Page 5
Front Timing Chain Cover resealing procedures:
Note: Only reseal the front chain cover AFTER confirming there is no oil seepage coming
from the cam retainer cap (area 1) as previously described.
1. If there are no oil droplets found on the engine under-cover or the lower radiator hose,
thoroughly clean the chain cover sealing area along with the surrounding cylinder head
and crankcase areas. Re-check for oil seepage again at the next service interval.
2. If the front chain cover is leaking and needs to be resealed, follow the repair procedure in
the applicable Service Manual. Thoroughly clean and inspect the sealing surfaces then
re-seal using Liquid Gasket ThreeBond 1217H (SOA868V9610) or equivalent*.
*See Service Bulletin 01-167-08R for recommended and alternative sealing materials.
COUNTERMEASURES
VEHICLE
Forester
INSPECTION
AREA
COUNTERMEASURE
STARTING
VIN#
STARTING
ENGINE #
1
Elimination of 6mm tapped hole in boss of
camshaft cap
C*447908
0266216
2
Enhanced cleaning procedure for sealing
surface of camshaft cap
C*411592
0156924
3 and 4
Additional sealer added
C*468399
0345502
5
Enhanced cleaning procedure for sealing
surface of chain cover
C*468399
0345489
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 02-131-12R; Revised: 06/29/23
Page 6
WARRANTY/CLAIM INFORMATION
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited and / or Powertrain Warranty period, this repair may
be claimed using the following information:
AREA
NUMBER
1
2
3
4
LABOR DESCRIPTION
TRANMISSION TYPE
LABOR
OPERATION # 5MT 4AT 6MT CVT
OIL SEEPAGE REPAIR, L/H CAM CAP
THREADED BOSS
B243-611
ENGINE OIL &/or COOLANT LEAK TESTING
& DIAGNOSIS
C245-001
H4 ENGINE R&R FOR CAMSHAFT SERVICING
B293-100
LH CAM CAP RESEAL
C293-102
4.5
RH CAM CAP RESEAL
C293-101
4.6
BOTH CAM CAPS RESEAL
C293-104
5.9
ENGINE OIL &/or COOLANT LEAK TESTING
& DIAGNOSIS
C245-001
0.4
H4 ENGINE R&R FOR CAMSHAFT SERVICING
B293-100
LH CAM CARRIER TO HEAD SEALER &/or O-RING
R&R
C293-002
3.6
RH CAM CARRIER TO HEAD SEALER &/or O-RING
R&R
C293-001
3.7
BOTH CAM CARRIERS TO HEAD SEALER
&/or O-RING R&R
C293-004
4.5
ENGINE OIL &/or COOLANT LEAK TESTING
& DIAGNOSIS
C245-001
0.4
H4 ENGINE R&R FOR SHORTBLOCK
& ENGINE SERVICING
B295-300
OIL EXTENSION HOUSING, O-RINGS
&/or SEALER R&R
C295-023
2.4
ENGINE OIL &/or COOLANT LEAK TESTING
& DIAGNOSIS
C245-001
0.4
Bulletin Number: 02-131-12R; Revised: 06/29/23
FAIL CODE
0.3
AFR-34
0.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.9
3.5
3.9
AFV-34
3.5
3.9
3.9
3.9
AFV-34
3.5
3.9
AFV-34
Page 7
AREA
NUMBER
LABOR DESCRIPTION
FRONT CHAIN COVER, SEALER
&/or O-RINGS R&R
TRANMISSION TYPE
LABOR
OPERATION # 5MT 4AT 6MT CVT
B245-201
FAIL CODE
3.6
5
AFV-34
ENGINE OIL &/or COOLANT LEAK TESTING
& DIAGNOSIS
C245-001
0.4
NOTE: Liquid gasket ThreeBond 1217H can be claimed using part number SOA635305, quantity
one (1) per repair order. This part number is non-orderable and used for claim purposes only.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
•
SOA strongly discourages the printing and/or local storage of service information as
previously released information and electronic publications may be updated at any time.
•
Always check for any open recalls or campaigns anytime a vehicle is in for servicing.
•
Always refer to STIS for the latest service information before performing any repairs.
Bulletin Number: 02-131-12R; Revised: 06/29/23
Page 8