When I pulled my oil pan there was a minor build up of dry sludge around that area of the pan. There has never been any wet leaking that I've noticed in the 10,000 miles + I've driven it. In fact I checked the other day and it's still dry in that area.

On feedback through the board I've been told that the oil pump seal can degrade and let air in. I know it can happen as I've had a few subaru's that've had the same basic problem (cam seal on pump hardens and lets air in... not necessarily leaking oil out either) This is just the last step in trying to solve my very loud lifters.. well besides replacing the whole set.



You can get a good look into the area by looking behind tha access flap behind the wheel. It's covered in the Haynes manual.
--
'94 855 5spd 'Drew' My E-Bay Ride 203,000 Miles