mrroot

I've got a 1986 XT Turbo 2wd. I've ripped the engine apart doing various repairs and replacements, and I'm wondering if there's a blown head gasket. On the bottom of the driver's side cylinder head, about two inches aft of the exhaust connection, and right behind the EGR pipe, there is a small hole. Looks like a weep hole ( read about those in other threads ), except this one is weeping coolant. So that's the first sign of a possible head gasket failure. A friend of mine, exister99, recommended a head bolt re-torque. So, I started pulling out the head bolts one at a time and cleaning/re-torquing them. Well, I was going to. When I got to the number 2 bolt, I pulled it out and it was *soaked* in coolant. I already re-torqued the passenger side, which does not have a coolant leak, and none of the bolts were covered in coolant. So this problem is restricted to the driver's side, with the known coolant leak and suspected gasket failure. So the question is: should I continue with a retorque, put the whole engine back together, then hope it doesn't leak any more ( and risk head stresses from hot spots b/c there could be a gasket problem )? Or do these symptoms pretty much guarantee a head gasket failure, and I might as well replace it while I'm in there? Thanks for your replies!

Ok.. I've seen references by people that you don't really need your timing belt covers. But of course, they were put on there by Subaru for a reason.. So I'm wondering what experienced people have to say on both sides of the argument. Personally, I went to a jy and pulled a set so I could replace mine ( previously owner managed to strip the bolts ). Cheers

Well, at $15 off ebay, and considering I don't absolutely need it, I'm not too worried. But that's good to know.. Spare parts for my collection if it doesn't fit.. Here are some tasty pics of the timing belt implosion. Warning: I haven't resized them yet, so they're huge pictures: http://www.mrroot.net/subaru

Hello all, Just thought I'd post about my first Subaru and say hello. Been reading the forums for the last couple of weeks and really appreciate all of the wisdom and information available. Anyhow, here's the fun part: 1986 Subaru XT 2WD Turbo Picked her up for $350, *running*. Even got to drive her home! Well, most of the way.. Lost the driver's timing belt when I was just a couple miles from the house. Yay non-interference! Only 150k miles on it! TOD, but I'll be fixing that with some Mystery Oil quick enough. Only 2 real "problems" - exhaust shot from catalytic back ( common, I hear. ). I'm fairly proficient with metalworking, so I'll be doing most of these repairs myself. Other than that, just a sticky clutch cable. I think she'll pass inspection after that! Anyhow, thought I'd list out what I was doing to her ( set for over a year ), and see if anyone has any further suggestions: 1) Obviously, replace all the fluids. All, including brake and power steering. 2) Replace timing belts, tensioners and idler. Incidentally, had to replace the passenger side timing belt cover b/c a previous owner stripped the nuts on it. Yay for junkyards! Already found my parts, and located soobs for future stripping. And started collecting spare parts! So it begins.... 3) Replace camshaft seals. 4) Replace crankshaft seal. 5) Inspect oil pump tolerances, then replace seals/gaskets. 6) Replace water pump. ( scored a brand new one on ebay for $15! ) 7) Replace all hoses. 8) Replace clutch cable. ( sticking real bad ) 9) Replace drive belts. 10) Check pads/cylinders ( brakes worked great when I was driving her home, so I'm prolly good on calipers ) 11) Replace filters: oil, fuel, air, 12) Backflush radiator. 13) Replace thermostat. 14) Replace plugs/wires. 15) Replace cap/rotor. 16) Replace O2 sensor. 17) Replace exhaust gasket. 18) Replace valve cover gaskets. 19) Replace oil pan gasket. 20) Replace PCV Valve. And of course, I'll be checking/inspecting everything else possible.. Timing, charcoal container, wheel bearings, etc, etc, etc. I won't bother listing all of that stuff out. Anyhow, if you know of something I should definitely replace, drop a note on it. Just remember I'll be checking almost everything else about the car, and replacing as necessary ( mounts, shocks, brake lines, etc, etc ). Cheers!