Subaru head gasket concerns

[dblshock]

Amazing that Subaru continues to struggle with this after all these years.

 

[JT20]

Amazing that Subaru continues to struggle with this after all these years.

I am taking comfort in the fact that the EJ20 (smaller bore) has a better protection against that problem than the EJ25 (larger four.. sucks.)

 

[JT20]

Wrong thread, please disregard.

 

[MrPlow]

I owned an ej22. The ej22 is a closed deck design where the block meets the head. Back when I was involved, the 22 was considered to be the sturdier of the 2. Even back then around 97, the 2.5 was open deck, but was not known for HG problems.

my 2.2 was in an awd wagon, with slightly oversized tires and stiffer springs in the rear. I lived and commuted around the DC beltway and was a MTB trail junkie every Saturday and a couple of nights per week. i was merciless on that 2.2 keeping up with beltway bmws and dirt trails. On the beltway, the throttle was binary - either on or off. It never let me down.

some pin slap showed up early in life... I want to say before 20,000 miles. When we sold it around 112,000 it was still there, no better and no worse. In my personal opinion, the ej22 was one of their absolute best. I have no clue, but hope that it is the direct pedigree into their forced induction units.

Was that the ej22 or the ej22t? The NA ej22 was open deck. I think only the turbo version was closed deck.

Those closed deck designs were some of the more sturdy Subaru engines. BUT, they are pretty bad for modding extra boost, due inpart to poor cooling compared to the later semi-open deck turbo engines. Also needed an intercooler added.

The main thing I liked the most about the ej22 cars, was how easy it was to disconnect the ECU harness just enough to keep the engine from starting if someone wanted to steal it. Of course, go backpacking for a week and come back, forgetting the ECU was pulled and wondering why it won't start was a fun thing. LOL

 

[OVERKILL]

Where'd the OP go? This thread reinforces my inclination towards an E46 for his plans.

 

[ram_man]

Where'd the OP go? This thread reinforces my inclination towards an E46 for his plans.

I am here I am not sure what I'll do yet..not ever owning a bmw makes me nervous since all I hear is people saying they aren't reliable

 

[OVERKILL]

I am here I am not sure what I'll do yet..not ever owning a bmw makes me nervous since all I hear is people saying they aren't reliable

I wouldn't say they are unreliable, as I noted in the other thread, they can be "needy" though. But an E46 isn't lunching its head gasket, which is far more serious than anything you are likely to experience with it, which will primarily be the replacement of rubber and plastic bits.

 

[ram_man]

I wouldn't say they are unreliable, as I noted in the other thread, they can be "needy" though. But an E46 isn't lunching its head gasket, which is far more serious than anything you are likely to experience with it, which will primarily be the replacement of rubber and plastic bits.

Definitely agree it seems like Subaru makes some fun cars but head gaskets are kinda a big deal.

 

[JT20]

Head gaskets are looking good/better on these two.

 

[Huie83]

I've owned 3 Subaru's, vintage 1997-2002, flavors of the ej25. All needed head gaskets, all 4 CV axles and exhaust work.

They were a blast to drive in the snow, very sure footed and built well on the inside.

They were also the most expensive and time sucking cars I've owned to keep going. Head gaskets, exhaust and drivetrain are not cheap. Not sure if I could bring myself to buy another. I got tired of working on them and sold them all off eventually.

 

[JT20]

I've owned 3 Subaru's, vintage 1997-2002, flavors of the ej25. All needed head gaskets, all 4 CV axles and exhaust work.

They were a blast to drive in the snow, very sure footed and built well on the inside.

They were also the most expensive and time sucking cars I've owned to keep going. Head gaskets, exhaust and drivetrain are not cheap. Not sure if I could bring myself to buy another. I got tired of working on them and sold them all off eventually.

My H6 got stolen but I'm thinking it is the best car I've ever had.

Can I put leather front seats (from an H6) In a Base or "L" model Subie?

Got the JDM swap.. I should be good now, as long as the occasional scraping/groaning noises when I turn the wheel (intermittent) don't get too bad, right?

 

[Huie83]

My H6 got stolen but I'm thinking it is the best car I've ever had.

Can I put leather front seats (from an H6) In a Base or "L" model Subie?

Got the JDM swap.. I should be good now, as long as the occasional scraping/groaning noises when I turn the wheel (intermittent) don't get too bad, right?

My dad has a 2014 Ouback with the H6 and 5 speed auto. IMO, the best Outback made. No head gasket issues and it has an actual auto trans, not a CVT (yuck).

Nearing 100K on it now, no issues to date.

 

[JT20]

My dad has a 2014 Ouback with the H6 and 5 speed auto. IMO, the best Outback made. No head gasket issues and it has an actual auto trans, not a CVT (yuck).

Nearing 100K on it now, no issues to date.

I'd really like another H6.

For now, I'm just rocking a JDM EJ20 (most cars have an EJ25 and it was "okay" but knowing what I know now, not impressed.)

Maybe I'll get an older Legacy with an EJ22 like a pre-1998 ? (Reading different things about this.)