Repair cost
$30–$250
DIY difficulty
1 / 5
Severity
Minor
Annoying or cosmetic — schedule when convenient
Affected
2010-2019
PCV valve, Valve cover gasket
What goes wrong
Plastic PCV valve cracks, causing oil seepage and rough idle.
Symptoms to watch for
- Oil on engine bay
- Rough idle
- Check engine light P0171
Root cause
Brittle plastic PCV valve fails after heat cycles.
In-article ad
Buy time with these
- • Replace PCV valve every 60k miles
Permanent fix
- OEM metal-bodied PCV valve upgrade (part 11810AA130).
FAQ
What causes outback pcv valve oil leak?
Brittle plastic PCV valve fails after heat cycles.
How much does it cost to fix?
National average $30–$250.
Is this a DIY repair?
Difficulty 1/5. OEM metal-bodied PCV valve upgrade (part 11810AA130).
What are the symptoms?
Oil on engine bay; Rough idle; Check engine light P0171
Sources
- • NHTSA
- • Subaru Owner Forums