elkaboom

Alright, first off if this is inappropriately placed, feel free to murder me -you may end up doing me a favor... Moving on, here's my dilema: I have recently purchased a 98 Forester S with leaking head gaskets. The normal course of action would simply be to fix the head gaskets, but it would be expensive. Prohibitively so for someone such as myself (single parent, no garage, no more money). However, I do have a 90 Legacy LS with an extremely well-maintained EJ22. I've searched the forums to the best of my (limited) ability, but what I can't seem to find out is whether it's feasible to swap the EJ22 into the Forester. From what I can gather, the Forester running the EJ22 will be at worst, underpowered. However, considering the nigh invulnerability of the EJ22, I could probably live with it -I simply need a dependable, AWD, car. I suppose if I could I find someone willing to do the HG on the cheap, I would just do that and not worry about convoluted engine removals/conversions, but as I am extremely limited by my financial situation, I'm looking at the least expensive alternatives. Like I said, I can live with driving an underpowered car as long as it's rock solid dependable (which my Legacy has always been -the 4EAT tranny in it, however, weeeell, not so much). I'm disappointed in the DOHC EJ25, but repairing the HG is a $1500.00 job, and if I simply can't afford something like that, all the while entertaining the possibility of having it reoccur later on, or have something else (bearings, etc) go wrong as well. I would rest much easier knowing I had the reliable EJ22 to depend on instead. Again, I'm simply looking at options at this point; maybe I'm reaching. Who knows. However, I AM becoming desperate at this point -the HG in the Forester are bound to go pretty soon -it's inevitable. So unless, I can find someone to help me do the HG repair locally, and not charge me a fortune, I'm going to continue the head scratching until I can come up with a solid plan. ANY and ALL advice is appreciated and graciously welcomed. Bob in NE Ohio p.s. just an FYI -the Legacy has a bad tranny and it's got the rusting disease (the motor, however, is immaculate)

Alright, first off if this is inappropriately placed, feel free to murder me -you may end up doing me a favor... Moving on, here's my dilema: I have recently purchased a 98 Forester S with leaking head gaskets. The normal course of action would simply be to fix the head gaskets, but it would be expensive. Prohibitively so for someone such as myself (single parent, no garage, no more money). However, I do have a 90 Legacy LS with an extremely well-maintained EJ22. I've searched the forums to the best of my (limited) ability, but what I can't seem to find out is whether it's feasible to swap the EJ22 into the Forester. From what I can gather, the Forester running the EJ22 will be at worst, underpowered. However, considering the nigh invulnerability of the EJ22, I could probably live with it -I simply need a dependable, AWD, car. I suppose if I could I find someone willing to do the HG on the cheap, I would just do that and not worry about convoluted engine removals/conversions, but as I am extremely limited by my financial situation, I'm looking at the least expensive alternatives. Like I said, I can live with driving an underpowered car as long as it's rock solid dependable (which my Legacy has always been -the 4EAT tranny in it, however, weeeell, not so much). I'm disappointed in the DOHC EJ25, but repairing the HG is a $1500.00 job, and if I simply can't afford something like that, all the while entertaining the possibility of having it reoccur later on, or have something else (bearings, etc) go wrong as well. I would rest much easier knowing I had the reliable EJ22 to depend on instead. Again, I'm simply looking at options at this point; maybe I'm reaching. Who knows. However, I AM becoming desperate at this point -the HG in the Forester are bound to go pretty soon -it's inevitable. So unless, I can find someone to help me do the HG repair locally, and not charge me a fortune, I'm going to continue the head scratching until I can come up with a solid plan. ANY and ALL advice is appreciated and graciously welcomed. Bob in NE Ohio p.s. just an FYI -the Legacy has a bad tranny and it's got the rusting disease (the motor, however, is immaculate)

@SubaruAlliance: Hmm.. I've considered using those gasket/block repair chemicals before, but I've never actually had the guts to do it -I'm always terrified that they'll do more harm than good. However, if you've actually had some success with these products, I might give it a shot just to see what happens. Presently, I have no external leaks from the heads, so this is pretty definitely internal. I did, however, switch to a slightly lower pressure radiator cap with an external pressure relief valve (14psi as opposed the stock 19psi cap) in hopes that it might help to relieve a teensy little bit of strain on the cooling system. Will that make an appreciable difference? Who knows. Doubtful probably, but until the weather warms up, I come into an extra $1500.00, or I suddenly inherit a fully functional garage, I'm going to try and squeeze all of the extra mileage out of this thing as I can. Like I said, it's not a bad vehicle: comfortable, clean, nice looking, and (for the most part) mechanically sound. If I have no choice but to keep it, I will. We'll see what happens! haha

Interesting. Just a shot in the dark here, but would you or anyone you might be an associate of be willing to consider doing the repair work my vehicle is in need of? Or are you do work strictly on your own vehicles? At this point, I'm considering all of the available options. Just a thought. Bob

Hey Davebugs, I just wanted to send you a quick reply in regards to your earlier inquiry about the Forester that I mentioned in the forums (specifically, that you have a friend who may be interested in a Forester). The vehicle is (obviously) a 98 Forester S. It's got 195000 miles, and as far as I know, the HG's have never been done. In spite of the miles, it runs very well, strong. It's an auto, but the tranny shifts very crisp and precisely, and there is no slop in the rest of the drivetrain. As far as the rest of the car goes, there is damage to the right front fender and passenger side door (result of a pickup backing into the seem between the fender and door); it's not terrible, and the passenger window still goes down most of the way. Additionally, the damage doesn't/hasn't affected the wheel or strut/suspension -it was purely cosmetic. The rest of the body has numerous dings and dents. Inside, the car is clean, free of funky smells and completely intact. There are a few very small cigarette burns in a couple of places (presumably from ash fall or some such), but on the whole, the interior is in very, very good condition. Beyond that, the car has not been overheated, and hasn't overheated while I've been driving it. The oil is free of coolant contamination, and clean. I am driving it occasionally, but I tend to baby it (keeping the revs below 3500 for the most part), and only drive it long enough to warm up the oil (generally speaking, 15-20 mile round trips). There isn't much else to tell; it's a good car but it does have a few issues. If you're friend is still interested, I have a bunch of photos that I snapped earlier in the week -I can forward those if he want to take a look. I'm contemplating picking up new sheet metal for the fender, and possibly pulling the dent/s in the door, but I've decided that it's not worth it to repair the HG at present -I'm in NE Ohio, have no garage facilities, or suitable tools to complete the work necessary (engine hoist/jacks, quality tools, etc) -so it would be easier to sell it and look for another, more user-friendly Subaru (read: 2.2 liter. lol). Anyway, I'm looking to get about 2500.00 out of it -which STILL wont cover what I put into it, but oh well... =/ However, I'm reasonable and willing to negotiate for the right offer. Bob in Ohio

Car is a 98 Forester S. Here's the skinny: Car generally runs very well. However, I've lately noticed some "odd" issues with the heater and loss of coolant (as well as a unusually high level of fluid in the overflow reservoir). To wit: I have the sound of rushing water behind the firewall, limited heat capacity -as in: when the car is at idle, my heater blows cool or cold air. When the car is in drive or under load, the heater blows warmish (but not hot) air). Also, my overflow tank will stay "overfull" -to the point of overflow. Finally, I'm not seeing any water in the oil whatsoever. I changed the oil a few days ago, and the oil was nice and clean, no contamination. I am, however, seeing some bubbles in the overflow, and I have burped the system twice now... *shudders* So what is it? Head gasket, like I'm afraid it is? Or could it be a bad/clogged radiator? Thermostat not activating properly? Heater core? Or all of the above, God forbid. If it's a head gasket (which I'm beginning to fear sadly), I'm going to be seriously pissed, as I can't afford the cost to farm this out and I have no place to do the work myself -it's NE Ohio, and it's cold outside. I've also learned that in order to do the HG's, the engine needs to come out of the car on these 2.5's, and that's yet another procedure that I, basically, cannot perform by myself. Should I replace the radiator and t-stat, burp it again and hope for the best? New radiator cap as well? Or just drive the car until it explodes? Sadly, I really like this car (but not nearly as much as I like my 2.2 Legacies), and it's in pretty darn shape. I'm in need of a miracle USMB... is there any hope or am I doomed to drive another Subaru time bomb?!?! Disheartend (Bob) in NE Ohio

Umm, go to a muffler shop? I've never heard of anyone replacing their own cats, but I'm sure people do it. Just make a few phone calls.

Aye, PST or the Tirerack are the places to buy your suspension stuff. I've done some pretty extensive cost comparissons and these two carriers are signifigantly better than than their competitors. Do yourself a favor and lok there first.

Sounds like valve cover gaskets. It's a cheap fix and, fortunately, very easy to do. Parts are roughly 20-30 bucks? I replaced mine about a year ago, but I can't remember exactely how much the gasket set was. In any event, it's inexpensive and it should only take an hour or two depending on how familiar you are with your car.

I'm gonna guess valve train noise. Mine does the same thing -regardless of oil weights or it's respective condition. In fact,I change my oil religiously every 3-4k miles; typically I use Castrol GTX 10W30, but I recently switched to Mobile1, and still I get lots of valve chatter. If I drive with the windows up, you can't hear it, but with them down and driving next to a curb or a fence or something, the sound is very pronounced. The interesting thing though, is that my performance doesn't really seem to be effected. It's possible that if I were to somehow correct the issue (assuming it's even a problem) I might notice a difference in acceleration/power, but as far as I can tell it's always done this. How difficult a job is it to bleed the lifters anyway? Easy enough for a backyard mechanic? I'd be willing to attempt it given enough coaching, but... Sure does make me wonder.