Oil (or what I'm guessing is oil) leak at the turbo

[crosscheck17]

There were a few black spots on the driveway last night and I checked under the hood only to find this:



Not only is it on the downpipe right behind the turbo, it is also on the frame and driveline/suspension components underneath.



I haven't been able to get under it to get a good look yet. I'm hoping to do that Friday. Also, what is baffling me is the oil on the engine dipstick looks clean (slightly honey colored). This stuff is black, like the oil hasn't been changed in a long time.

Any ideas? I'll post updates if anything arises.

[Anub1s]

Either power steering fluid or transmission fluid.

My money is on power steering fluid. You'll want to trace as much of that as you can, find any places up top where it could be dripping from, particularly onto the driveshaft, as that seems to be where it's flinging off and onto your downpipe.

[crosscheck17]

Either power steering fluid or transmission fluid.

My money is on power steering fluid. You'll want to trace as much of that as you can, find any places up top where it could be dripping from, particularly onto the driveshaft, as that seems to be where it's flinging off and onto your downpipe.

It didn't smell like the gear oil in the transmission, so I would be leaning more towards power steering fluid.

[oguitar]

Could be the axle.

[crosscheck17]

Could be the axle.

Awesome, sounds expensive. Would the entire axle need to be replaced if it was the culprit? I remember reading about grease potentially leaking from one of the CV boots, but this didn't seem to have the viscosity of grease.

[Anub1s]

Could be the axle.

Doubtful. Axle grease isn't exactly fluid, it's more of a goop, so seeing small pools of it and having it spread all over the downpipe like that, tells me it's not axle grease.

[crosscheck17]

I don't know if this will help, but here's some of the stuff on a paper towel.

[Anub1s]

Looks like used power steering fluid to me.

[Anub1s]

Oh, be sure to check that axle boot just in case. I said it was doubtful, but it isn't impossible.

[crosscheck17]

Oh, be sure to check that axle boot just in case. I said it was doubtful, but it isn't impossible.

I'll get it up on a lift tomorrow and see. I might try to fix the exhaust leak too while I'm at it.

[oguitar]

From the pics it looks black and thick. Looks like axle grease to me. Look for rips in the green cover right next to the downpipe.

[crosscheck17]

I found about a 1/2" rip in the rubber boot on the axle closest to the transmission (passenger side). I can actually get my finger in there. It looks like I will be replacing the axle. How time critical is this? Could the repair wait a week?

Also, now that I can get a good look at it, the goop looks like it has a green tinge. Is that the color of the stuff in there? Or is there something else leaking too?

[Donkey]

It's the axle grease.

[SD_GR]

It's the axle grease.

OK fantabulous. Get a new axle nut, DO NOT BUY THE SUBARU GREASE, and get both inner and outer boots with their bands. Go to a parts store and buy grease there, plus buy gloves and brake cleaner. If they have it go ahead and get a new push pin; if not I just re-used and the axles are still on the car.

Axle nut torque is a little over 130 ftlbs I think; look it up and get it OK so the bearings are alright. One of the boots has a part number ending in xxxxxx001. Subaru has a boot that ends in xxxxxx010. Make sure they give you the right one before the car is apart 30 minutes before closing time and nobody has it in a 40 km radius. (How do I know?...)