So the other day i pulled up after a long drive and could smell burning oil, nothing major. Didn't see any smoke whilst driving. Anyway i popped the bonnet and had a good nosey around and noticed that the top of my timing belt cover seemed to have a covering of oil,around the left hand side and underneath the alternator area. It also seemed to cover the area behind the power steering pulley. I have attached some pictures, i know it a long shot but any idea what could cause oil leak it this area ??

Cheers, Joe





around Crank Position Sensor

Timing Belt Cover

Small collection of oil behind power steering pulley

 

Perhaps front crank oil seal

 

Hmm, could maybe also be the oil pressure sensor (underneath/behind the alternator).

Might be worth cleaning it off and checking again after a drive, as you might be able to see where it is leaking from.

Another thought: it's not power steering fluid?

 

Rotating this picture to its correct orientation I would say its a leaking seal, O-ring or other on the P/S pump.

 

yes power steering leak would be the best guess in that location............

 

Very common fault on newage Subaru's.

 

Thanks for all the replies chaps

the oily substance seems quite dark, which is why i assumed its engine oil and not power steering fluid.

il investigate the power steering pump as soon as i can (when it stops bloody raining!!)

Joe

 

I guess the easiest way to check is to check the power steering fluid level.

 

As it's not in the maintainence schedule for changing, P/S fluid usually gets forgotten until something goes wrong with the pump or rack.