The yellow circled part was where there was a drop of the freshest oil hanging on.

 

Not under warranty?

 

Nope, 112K

 

In rare cases Subaru of America bends over backwards to make accommodations - can't hurt to ask.

 

Hmm, something tells me that's not going to be an option. I'm not the original owner either. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask. Just not sure my nearest dealer would be too anxious to look at it without charging the standard labor fee just to look.

 

I'd just call Subaru of America and ask - if they say no, then fine. My concern would be if the leak might involve more than just taking off the valve cover but once you start taking it apart I don't think SOA would want to touch it.

(800) 782-2783

 

Read the comments to the video

 

Crap... stupid cam carrier seal is what it is.

 

Also Subaru helped these folks:

2015 Leak at Cam Carrier

Took my 2015 Outback to the dealer for an oil change & filter, 47,000 miles. While there they discovered the cam carrier was leaking oil, although there was no evidence of it on my garage floor. The repair was covered by warranty which now included the oil & filter change. The dealer gave me a...

www.subaruoutback.org

 

The standard powertrain warranty is 60k miles and I think six years, so at 47k on a 2015 that should still be under warranty.

 

I could eat scrambled eggs off that engine, it's THAT clean.
Just how bad is this leak? Drops? Where does it end up? Exhaust? Floor?

How long do you usually keep a car? Is this something that you cannot live with?

I hate to be snippy, but If I were you, I'd clean up that area as best as possible, maybe loosen that bolt a tiny bit, pack that seam with some gasket sealer, retighten that bolt, and hope that at least retards the leak.

I realize this is shade tree repairs with bandaids, but if it works, you put off a costly repair for a few miles, maybe more. It's your time and money, I'm just offering some advice which may be worth what you paid for it, nothing!

Good luck!

 

I wiped it off before I thought to take a pic, that’s why it’s clean... eggs are good though! 😂
Already considered fixing that way. Just not exactly sure where the leak is coming from. It burns (burns off) about 1 qt between oil changes so not bad at all. Like I said it seeps oil, no drips because they burn off on the exhaust (fire hazard?). More the annoying smell after every drive and when stopped at a light/stop sign. What do you suggest using to “fill the crack”? Honda bond work? I have some of that.

 

Took a closer look, really close. It was hard to spot, but it’s definitely from the cam carrier seal behind the black pipe. So hard to see and could barely tell. It’s in the perfect spot to smell as it drops on the exhaust. Guess we’ll see what Subaru says. It’s clearly been this way from the factory bc there is no sealant around the area where the bolt goes through (brown oil spot) and no surprise, that’s where it’s leaking. Anyone have any ideas what to tell Subaru when they insist on charging $129/hr to diagnose what I already know is true?

Red is the general leak area, yellow is where it travels to (low spot)

 

I JUST had this replaced on my 2018 as well. I was under mileage warranty, and the service tech doing my oil change was able to diagnose during a regular oil change. Let me know if you have any specific questions about it or want to see what the write up looks like.

 

Update... It was the cam carrier on passenger side. SOA is willing to kick in $1000 on a $1970 bill for one side leaking. I’m outside of warranty so that’s as good as they could do. Guess I’ll get it fixed and drive it into the ground.

 

My 2018 2.5 75K miles, which is out of warranty, was recently diagnosed with this cam carrier leak. Oil was puddling near the fuel injectors as shown in the video above on the passenger side. The dealer gave me a price of $2900 to fix the issue( both sides). While in the shop I ask them to take a look at a clicking sound I have on a slow turn. They said a need a new front CV axel and quoted me $830 to repair. As you can imagine , I was blown away with this estimate. I asked if SOA would help even though I am out of warranty. He came back and with SOA's help he could do it for $1500, my out of pocket cost. I kept pushing back and got him down to $1000 for both the cam carrier and new CV axel. He said his shop needed the work and they are trying to meet their end of month quotas. Not sure if I got totally shafted or not? This does not seem too bad considering I am officially out of warranty?

 

I got the car back from the dealer on Friday. The car is running fine and no oil leaks as of yet. Also, the CV axel is quiet on turns. Not happy I had to put out $1000, but considering I am out of warranty I guess I should not complain?

 

My turn for the passenger side cam carrier leak. I just got the call this morning. Fortunately, it's covered under warranty.

Unfortunately, they are backed up at the dealership on engine repairs. They hope to get it done by the end of the month. Luckily, they gave me a loaner (Ascent) and I can keep the loaner till the repairs are done.

 

I'm rather certain that black pipe is a coolant transfer pipe that allows coolant to move from one side of the engine to the other side. See the rubber hose and clamp attached at the end?

It probably isn't too difficult to replace IF there isn't anything in the way of it's removal.
You might wait till it's time to replace your coolant, 150k mi, because you WILL loose all the coolant when you replace that pipe(catch it for reuse, maybe?). Point being, the dealer could do this for a minimal expense? And they are the only source of that special Subie coolant from what I understand.

 

Anyone happen to know part numbers for those hoses/pipes? I’ve searched several different titles and databases and cannot locate them.

 

Try going here, and ask Benny for his help. @subaruonlineparts is a forum vendor.

When you search their site you'll find good prices. When you're ready to order, ask Benny for a discount code.