1997. Subaru dealer service mechanic said it would cost 2,600 to fix an oil leak.

I get my repairs done at a Subaru dealer. I went in for an oil change but they said they couldn't do the oil change. They said there was a lot of oil and it could be coming from the Tam Carrier, Oil Tank, Or Transmission Engine. They Want To Take The Engine And Transmission Out And Do A Oil Pan Reseal. They Said It Would Take A Couple Days And Cost $2,600.

 

This seems like a really high price. Is this a legit analysis of the problem and service. Or should I try another mechanic?

Try a subaru specialist in your area?

 

They're probably referring to the rear separator plate, which would require removing the transmission or the engine.

 

EDIT: transmission or engine, but not both.

I don't have any better tools than an engine hoist running on a gravel driveway and I can do that entire job in a day. A pro shouldn't need nearly that much money. Talk to people around you and find a solid independant mechanic as James suggests.

They said there was a lot of oil and it could be coming from the Tam Carrier, Oil Tank, Or Transmission Engine.

 

Is this a legit analysis of the problem and service. Or should I try another mechanic?

 

Tam carrier? Oil Tank? Transmission Engine? These aren't even legit part assemblies (except for a transmission and an engine). If that's the exact diagnosis they gave you, I'd be hard pressed to hand over my car keys, much less $2,600 to fix the problem areas they listed.

 

If the oil pan was leaking, the engine doesn't necessarily need to be removed to fix it. If they're saying the oil pan needs to be resealed due to oil accumulating on the back of the pan, it could be oil separator plate or rear main seal leaking (which do require engine removal to fix). The older separator plates were plastic and were susceptible to warpage and cracking and should be replaced with the newer updated metal ones.

 

Find a good 3rd party mechanic in your area that has done many Subaru engine repairs. They will most assuredly be almost half the cost or less. Hell, I'd charge you about $700 for both parts and labor change out the rear main seal, oil separator plate, reseal the oil pan, and change out the valve cover gaskets.

 

For example, I'm currently doing a head replacement on an 05 STI that has damaged threads for the spark plug on cylinder 4 and a burned valve. While the engine is out I'm replacing the rear main seal, resealing the separator plate, and replacing the clutch. My labor is running her $1,500 and she supplied all the parts. Sounds like a lot of money, but mind you, I'm rebuilding pretty much half of the engine.

I bet Tam carrier is probably a translation of cam seal, or cam carrier seal which are prone to leakage.

 

OP find another mechanic.

Keep an eye on your oil levels. If it's not leaking a lot, have the oil change done somewhere else and make sure to check oil level at every fuel-up. You will want to fix it eventually, but I would go with a different mechanic.

 

As others have mentioned, an independent Subaru specialist would be best.