On Subaru EJ engines, the oil pickup tube draws oil from the pan to the pump and seals to the block with an O-ring. If that O-ring hardens, is pinched or is left out, the pump can draw air instead of oil, and oil pressure drops. Excess sealant squeezed into the pan during a reseal can also break off and clog the pickup screen. Either way, the result can be a spun rod bearing, so replace the O-ring whenever the pan comes off, use sealant sparingly, and keep the oil level full.
Symptoms of an oil pickup problem
- Oil pressure light flickering at idle, under braking or in long corners.
- Low or fluctuating oil pressure on a gauge.
- Ticking or knocking that gets worse as the engine warms; see spun rod bearing.
- Symptoms that started soon after an oil pan or timing job.
Stop the engine if the oil light comes on while driving; see oil pressure light and low oil pressure.
Common causes
- Old or damaged O-ring at the pickup tube flange.
- Too much RTV sealant on the oil pan, which squeezes inside and can be drawn into the screen.
- Cracked pickup tube or a loose bolt.
- Low oil level. EJ engines can use some oil, and a low pan uncovers the pickup sooner in hard cornering.
- Oil starvation on track from sustained cornering, which is why many track cars add a baffled pan.
How to check it
- Confirm the oil pressure with a mechanical gauge.
- Drain the oil and look for sealant pieces, metal or bearing material.
- Remove the oil pan and inspect the pickup screen and O-ring.
- Check the tube for cracks and the bolts for tightness.
Doing the job right
- Fit a new O-ring every time the pickup tube is removed.
- Clean all old sealant from the pan and block, then apply a thin, even bead as the service manual describes.
- Torque the pickup and pan bolts to specification.
- Consider a baffled pan or larger-capacity pan for track use.
If the bearings are already damaged
A knock after an oil starvation event usually means bearing damage. The fix is a rebuild or a replacement short block. Examples we list include the IAG 1150 Series EJ25 Short Block ($9,499.99) and the Turn In Concepts Stage 3+2 Track Closed Deck EJ257 Short Block ($6,799.00). Browse EJ25 engines.
Related
See EJ257 problems, EJ25 problems, oil pan gasket leaks and FA20 vs EJ25.
More guides: bad oil pump symptoms.
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