Part 2: Great....I've joined the headgasket club....

[mnwolftrack]

original thread here:

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=75016

 

Quick summary, headgasket blew in May (Mother's day), and I'm finally getting around to doing something about it.

 

I've decided to take the engine completely out to work on it as grossgary recommended. The extra work to pull the engine (4 block to transmision bolts, engine mount bolts) aren't difficult.

 

So far, it's going smoothly and I'm taking my time labeling things really well and taking my own notes of steps. I'm loosely following the Haynes manual, but even IT says it's more of a guideline or to-do list, rather than an actual procedure. About the worst thing so far is just waiting for coolant to drain. I got impatient waiting for the radiator drain to take care of it, so I just disconnected the lower radiator hose and it went much faster! I was surprised how easy it was to pull the radiator. I'm used to it being much more of a pain on other vehicles and was hoping I didn't have to do it (but I did).

 

While the engine is out/apart, I'm going to do the following:

 

-new belts, including t-belt

-OEM headgaskets (obviously)

-heads checked for warpage

-plugs/wires are only a few thousand miles old and OEM, so I'm not changing them

-any misc. seals such as valve covers, cam seals, perhaps the rear main seal if leaking, and the oil seperator plate (if plastic).

-upper/lower radiator hoses

 

The engine ran mint, so I don't think I'll have the shop do valve job unless they tell me they found something wrong. I haven't priced out a water pump or oil pump, but I'll probably at least do the water pump since I'm in this far. I don't plan on owning the car for ever, so I'm not going to spend a great deal of money on it other than replace what needs to be fixed.

 

Are there any recommended online wholesale OEM parts suppliers?

[Legacy777]

www.subarugenuineparts.com

[2X2KOB]

Reference:

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=77160

 

www.1stsubaruparts.com

sells at 28% off list price.

[mnwolftrack]

Reference:

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=77160

 

Thanks for the links--I don't think your engine parts reference list is valid for me because I have a DOHC and I think yours is a SOHC (phase 1 vs. phase 2)?

[2X2KOB]

Good point, I didn't consider that. Mostly I posted it for the water pump price. Good luck!

[mnwolftrack]

I called the local dealer just for kicks. They weren't too helpful. They said to call back with a VIN # because there are 3 different kinds of valve cover gaskets alone for 1998? They also said there wasn't any kind of "gasket kit" available. Strange, many other vehicle manufacturers have complete engine gasket kits and "valve regrind kits (a.k.a. all gaskets needed for head gasket jobs).

 

I didn't see this kind of confusion on the online parts supplier sites. I'm not seeing head bolts listed online though. I'm used to replacing them and figured I'd have to on the 2.5. I'm sure it's a sticky subject (seems to be on many cars)--anyone know for sure on their re-use?

 

I'm going to do the water pump, gasket "set" if there is one, timing belt, and t-stat. Any reason I should be replacing any of the other timing-belt parts (idler, tensioner, etc...)? Those prices add up fast so I'm trying to keep costs low.

[ron917]

I bought the parts for the headgasket job on my '99 Outback 2.5L DOHC form 1stsubaruparts. I called them and told them what was doing, and they helped me get everything together. There was an engine reseal kit, which had almost every gasket and seal including HGs. I also added timing belt, tensioner, water pump, thermostat, V-belts, hoses, etc.

 

I ended up handing all of those parts to a local independent Subaru specialist because I simply didn't have time to do the job. They re-used the head bolts. I ended up needing some valve work as well, a couple of the exhaust valves were leaky.

[mnwolftrack]

I'm actually not even able to find head bolts after market (short of Ebay cheapies which I don't trust), so that leads me to believe it's not so critical to reuse the old ones. I will end up calling 1stsubaruparts today. I tried to yesterday but got delayed. I will at least get the main gasket set on order. Stuff like belts and other misc. items I am ok with just getting locally.

[86BRATMAN]

Inspect the timing idlers, if they are rough spinning or make noise replace them. If they are still free and noise free you can regrease them, grossgary has a writeup somewhere of this procedure.

 

The biggest and most important factor to consider in the idlers is that this IS an interference engine. Old worn out idlers can cause premature t-belt failure and in most cases(especially dohc ej's) will lead to significant engine damage ie: bend valves, and or holes in pistons.

[idosubaru]

reuse the headbolts, noone uses new headbolts - dealers definitely do not.

 

definitely thoroughly inspect all the timing pulleys. most likely at least one will need to be addressed - replace, regrease, or new bearings. regreasing is the cheapest method and requires a special needle insert, new bearings is another option but is typically time consuming sourcing the bearings and can end up being expensive anyway after you pay for the bearings and someone to press the old out and new in. new ones are rather expensive from subaru, i'd keep my eyes out for aftermarket kits on ebay that include all brand new bearings.