Subaru 2.5 1996-99 eats head gaskets?

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eljefino, gathermewool, This is very very helpful. eljefino I did not know that the airbag had to be in. That means that every time it is up for inspection it would be an issue. Thanks for this! I will point this out. I will attempt to see if that is an irrational fear, of airbag deployment. Still, I wonder if there is a fuse I can pull. Yes or no (to put back in.)

As to the other thing, well, you know id have bought this if it were for me. And it may come to that. I am asking myself what wheel bearing repair means. Axle? Brakes? I asked him if 1. The wheel feels "loose" when turned or 2. if the wheels and steering wheel shimmy when brakes applied. Im fine if there is sludge, ill be able to tell if the gasket has a problem with the normal signs of taking the caps off etc etc and watching the temp gauge.. the bar for $500 is 1. Does it work and 2. Does it have any one thing so bad that would cause a buyer to walk. This may be the car that sits in the back of our house and only gets started on weekends, after ive cleaned it up, changed the oil and looked at what I can see without having to get the jack stands and start buying tools and posting as to how to do this and that out.

I let him know that one week from today is the latest it would be and that yes I am still interested. I also let him know ill be awaiting to hear back. Sounds like someone with bad english, so, that could go either way as a sign of the car. I asked for a pic too. I wonder if I will get it.

This is the thread about why I am asking as to this car.
 
Originally Posted By: oilmaven
Who in their right mind would buy a car KNOWN to blow it's head gaskets, rust out AND possibly "decapitate" you with it's airbags? If I have to ask someone to remove my airbag because it might take my head off I might consider looking for something else...sheesh.


myself, i bought two for $500 a piece. One repaired by a mechanic and flipped it and made a couple hundred bucks. the second one i just pulled the engine and doing the head gaskets myself. if you use MLS gaskets the problem supposedly will never happen again. does that answer your question? your fantasy of decapitation should stick with liveleak.com
 
Its the EJ 25 and not the SOHC EJ 22 with HG problems. Fix it once with a modern gasket and you are good to go. The EJ 22 is less powerful but typically problem free. Always exceptions to all of the above!
 
Originally Posted By: joaks
Its the EJ 25 and not the SOHC EJ 22 with HG problems. Fix it once with a modern gasket and you are good to go. The EJ 22 is less powerful but typically problem free. Always exceptions to all of the above!


Correct. That seems to be the case. 2.5's have the issue much more commonly than the 2.2's. I watched my brother replace them in both his 1998 Legacy Outback and his 2001 Forester. The engines come out quite easily for the HG R/R. They're like pulling the engine out of a little pickup truck.

The 1998 started consuming coolant at an alarming rate, but otherwise ran/performed well. The 2001 has some minimal coolant/oil seepage. It would have probably gone another 30K miles as is. Both had well over 100K miles on the original HG's.

I'm personally not ambitious or skilled enough to tackle such a job, so as much as I like Soobies, I would not buy an older, well-used one unless I knew the HG's had been replaced with known good ones. Then again, you can budget in the cost if the purchase price is good enough and do everything once the engine is out. I bet that would be $2000 easily though.

Oh and in regards to the 5w20 references, the new Subaru FB series 2.2 and 2.5 spec 0w20. These are the "new" timing chain equipped boxers. Soob is doing all they can to squeak out that last fraction of a MPG.

Joel
 
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Yep, between wheel bearings and headgaskets and clutches, then throw in timing belt jobs, I'm not sure I would touch a used Forester unless if it was given to me. I mean, TB is due at 105kmiles, and those other three items like to show up around then or shortly thereafter.
 
Would simply get a 2.2L Legacy if it were me. Looked at a 97 a few years ago. Great car, nice and simple. Plenty of power, and the EJ22 is a tank.
 
Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Would simply get a 2.2L Legacy if it were me. Looked at a 97 a few years ago. Great car, nice and simple. Plenty of power, and the EJ22 is a tank.


I now know the Legacy is available with a 2.2. Thought it was a 2.5 only. I was wrong.

Quick Q: If it is a "raised roof" Outback of MY 96 or 97, is it guaranteed to be a 2.5 and not a 2.2?

I do not have a VIN but I have a pic. This is what I got my eye on. Ive also heard that not ALL 2.5L engines have HG issues, just a fair amount of them that maybe have batteries left in a long time or not properly coolant maintained. ?

581464_397421136991105_1712294397_n.jpg
 
Asked and answered..

EJ25D



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_EJ_engine

EJ25D Head Gasket Failure
The EJ25D has demonstrated leaking head gasket issues on occasion. This was due to a design flaw of the OEM gaskets. Since the release of the EJ25D, an updated gasket is available that is not prone to failure. There were two variations of the EJ25D sold in the US market. The engine was introduced in 1996 in the Legacy 2.5GT, LSi, and Legacy Outback. That version of the engine used HLA heads, was recommended to be run on 91 octane fuel, had lower power and torque ratings than the later '97-99 EJ25D, and was only offered with an automatic transmission. In 1997 a revised engine was introduced that used heads with shimmed bucket lifters (versus the HLAs), was designed to run on 87 octane fuel, and was available with either a manual or automatic transmission. Because of the DOHC valve architecture, the spark plugs are more difficult to service in comparison to SOHC variations. The DOHC engines are therfore installed with platinum spark plugs and an extended spark plug service life of 80,000 miles

That also means this car is a 1997, if not 1998 or 1999 but probably a 1997.
laugh.gif
 
Yeah, looks like a turbo which I *think* is always an EJ25 for these years. I need to re-read this thread but if the HG have already been changed then no worries.
 
Originally Posted By: GearheadTool
Would a 1996 Legacy Brighton have a 2.2


I would think that one is a 2.2L. Looks extremely clean and that's a great price for a dealer.

Joel
 
It is too good to be true! I have sneaking suspicion there is going to be a catch. If I were in your shoes, I will put a refundable deposit on it and grill the dealer before making the trip to NJ or have a nearby friend visit the dealer.
 
Originally Posted By: Vikas

It is too good to be true! I have sneaking suspicion there is going to be a catch. If I were in your shoes, I will put a refundable deposit on it and grill the dealer before making the trip to NJ or have a nearby friend visit the dealer.


The issue is how to get to South NJ. I know how to get from Boston to NYC on mass transit. My significant other has income enough that she can perhaps approach the dealer about financing 40 to 50% of the vehicle at whatever APR they want. We can buy a sub-$500 to $1000 vehicle comfortably; This $1595 is at our virtual ceiling. That, or, if financing is an option, then a 2000+ model year Subie (reliability concerns on the larger engine; methinks this one has the 2.2.) We also need to figure out how an MA license will be able to do this from NJ seller, we like the idea of how the dealer is more reputable as far as doing business with than some private sale person. That ar is lookign good, perhaps it is the smaller engine and non-Outback making it not desirable?

Its Planes Trains now we just add Automobile. And cars out here cost omore than in NH. We just confirmed it, we looked at CL and the prices doubled and tripled when it switched from "NH" to "Mass."
 
I would post this on the legacygt forum. There is a section for pre-buy questions. Its either a bargin or hiding something
 
Originally Posted By: joaks
I would post this on the legacygt forum. There is a section for pre-buy questions. Its either a bargin or hiding something


Got the linky one more time?

Sure enough, a 1996 Limited Edition Outback (does not appear to have raised non-sunroof roof, however is not a brighton.. Looks like a moonroof Outback with a roof rack, three roofs on this Subie?) with most likely the 2.5 wins. So.. How does this thing act on regular-grade gas?

5N55K55M73F83Jb3lcc9j95e355e95bd71c4d.jpg
 
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