99 Subaru Forester valve covers and heads removed

[cptbarkey]

Doing a headgasket job on a 99 Subaru Forester. It has 143k. This is my first ever engine pull and head gasket job so I'm stoked.

Bought it from a nice couple. they overheated it and it was showing head gasket symptoms via bubbling in the coolant overflow. Nothing out of the tailpipe though. Best i can tell is it had a pretty good oil leak. there was lots of oil caked on the bottom of the engine and cradle. Simple green took care of most of it.

From my own limited observations, the valves and cover have heavy varnish but no sludge. I have seen a couple subarus with their valve covers pulled and have to say this is the worst i've seen. I drained the oil about 3 months ago so most of the parts were dry-ish.

One interesting thing to note is the head bolt on the lower right side on the driver head was quite a different color. do not know if that is significant but i threw in the picture anyway.

New Felpro MLS gaskets, Aisin water pump, Dayco belts going back on after i take the heads in for a valve job and heads resurfacing. If anyone knows of a good machine shop in the Austin area please let me know.

comments and criticism welcome.

album here

http://imgur.com/a/JZteP

 

[Donald]

You could get the valve stem guides machined for special Perfect Circle valve stem seals.

 

[bowlofturtle]

i was told by a couple people there is no need to pull the motor. Just raise up the motor about 2-4 inches.

 

[71Chevyguy]

Subaru's tend to stay very clean inside from my observations and that one is looking kind of varnished and the remaining oil looks pretty filthy. I would suggest several shorter oil changes after all is back together and running. You being a BITOGer I imagine it will be spotless in no time. Great engines though. And congrats on doing your first head gasket job. I get all excited when I get to fix something I have never tackled before.

 

[Brons2]

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
If anyone knows of a good machine shop in the Austin area please let me know.


http://www.austincylinderhead.com/

(well, assuming you want to get just the heads done and not the whole engine)

 

[cptbarkey]

thanks, looks like a good place to go. yeah going to risk leaving the engine block mostly alone. it ran before i bought it and even with the blown gaskets the engine sounded really good so i think it is OK. will definitely do a few very short OCIs.

 

[mattd]

make sure whoever does the heads the surface is very smooth. Subaru engines are very picky about sealing surfaces.

 

[The_Eric]

Originally Posted By: mattd
make sure whoever does the heads the surface is very smooth. Subaru engines are very picky about sealing surfaces.


I think that's more of a function of using MLS gaskets. By nature, they require a much smoother finish than a composite gasket.

 

[stephen9666]

Good choice on the Aisin pump.

Did the OE pump you took off have a name on it?

 

[mattd]

Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Originally Posted By: mattd
make sure whoever does the heads the surface is very smooth. Subaru engines are very picky about sealing surfaces.


I think that's more of a function of using MLS gaskets. By nature, they require a much smoother finish than a composite gasket.


many of the newer (i believe the older also) did use a MLS type gasket IIRC

 

[cptbarkey]

yep all parts so far have been Subaru OEM. i suspect the owner got it serviced at a subaru dealership for its 105k maintenance. all parts on it so far are subaru OEM including the timing belt. the serp. belts were dayco and worn.

 

[edhackett]

The O-rings on the oil pump are a common point for an oil leak. Change those out while you are there.

Ed