ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER
PARTS MANAGER
CLAIMS PERSONNEL
SERVICE MANAGER

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IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
Initial in the boxes
provided, right.

SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:
SUBJECT:

2011-2012MY Forester Models with FB Engine
Oil Seepage Diagnosis and Repair Procedures

NUMBER:
DATE:
REVISED:

02-131-12R
07/18/12
10/02/12

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; Date: 10/02/12

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 1280B, (Part No. SOA5499100) 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; Date: 10/02/12

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 1280B, (Part No. SOA5499100)
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; Date: 10/02/12

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 1280B, (Part No. SOA5499100) 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; Date: 10/02/12

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.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 02-131-12R; Date: 10/02/12

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 1280B, (Part No. SOA5499100) or equivalent*.
*See Service Bulletin 01-167-08 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; Date: 10/02/12

Page 6

WARRANTY/CLAIM INFORMATION
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period, refer to the Subaru Warranty
Wizard® for claim submission information. Use the chart below for the 6mm bolt installation
procedure outlined on pg. 1 of this bulletin.
LABOR DESCRIPTION

LABOR OPERATION #

FAIL CODE

LABOR TIME

LH Cam Cap Boss Oil Seepage Repair

A243-611

AFR-34

0.3

NOTE: Liquid gasket ThreeBond 1280B can be claimed using part number SOA635065, quantity
one (1) per repair order. This part number is non-orderable and used for claim purposes only.

Bulletin Number: 02-131-12R; Date: 10/02/12

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