Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

1989 XT6 bad Motor


 Share

Recommended Posts

So I have this xt6 with a little over 40 k miles but the motor uses 1 quart of oil every 60 miles. I put in a new clutch and then found out the oil pump seal was bad so put in a brand new pump and seal and found that it was smoking bad. So gave it to a Subaru mechanic to diagnosis. He drove it put new valve stem seals in .

Diagnosed a flat came lobe and messed up rocker arm on one side. It runs and drives but I assume that the oil pump was bad and the engine was run with low oil pressure and that ruined the cam and rockers and likely scored the pistons or cylinder walls.

Seems like not a candidate to rebuild.

Thinking of buying a used engine and found one with a reported 55 k miles and 150 lbs of compression across the board

Thought or other options or repower ideas ??

I paid 700$ for the car and 600 for clutch install and have about 300 into the oil pump so not feeling like throwing a lot more $ at it.

JOHN

Link to comment
Share on other sites

how much time you got?   replace the cams and see what happens?  might be out of it for only $100. 

 

in some ways - those engines are great - cheap, reliable, fairly straight forward to work on and make an easy 250,000 miles with little effort if the oil is never compromised and they're not overheated.  so to that end - a used engine is a great fit. 

 

replace the valve cover gaskets, PCV valve, reseal the oil pump, replace the cam cap seals and orings and the water pump with new timing belts and address the timing belt pulley bearings.

you'll make 100,000 on nothing but timing belts after that on oil changes and ignition stuff (plugs, wires..)

 

three common issues - each takes a few minutes and couple bux to address, i just do them when i first get a dialy driver XT6 and then you're done:

water temp sensor always corrodes, cut it and install a cheap and easy fuel injector harness with pigtail.

same with alternator connector - they're brittle by now.

clean out the IAC - just remove and blow it out wiht carb or brake cleaner. 

 

an EJ swap isn't a terrible idea either....but out there those EJ engines are probably expensive. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Grossgary

Well I have more info. My engine has compression of 60 lbs across the board. The engine I found they want 1075 not including shipping.

When you swap in an EJ motor what does that involve ?

Seems like I might have a fair amount of wiring to do ?

John

PS thanks for taking the time to read and respond !!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

An EJ swap will require wiring changes. Has been done by Members on here, so there is knowledge to be found on the details.

 

I suggest doing a leak-down test on your ER engine to determine if it's rings or valves causing the low compression.

 

If it's due to the valves, or even the cams, I have heads and cams available. Can't say they're top shape, but engine ran good.

I pulled engine from a parts car, tore engine down for various parts needed. Stuff is just sitting here, taking up space.

Also have another complete engine, but shipping that to you would be costly.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...