bstone

Glad you made it. Before you spend money on a new trans drain the fluid and refill three times. Also add in a thi for Lucas stop slip. It might buy you some life. IL is less greedy than it used to be. I'm from there and moved out to mass 7 years ago. Every frakkig road has tolls here both getting on and off.

Stating the obvious here: check the coolant for exhaust gases. That will let you know.

Your mileage is around when the trans begins to die. I would try draining the fluid, replace it with new fluid. Maybe add in a can of Lucas Transmission Stop Slip.

Your heads are probably not true. They are likely warped. Take em off and send em to a machine shop.

You have to make sure you get a trans that is both compatible and that also has had the Duty C Solenoid and AWD clutches replaced.

It sounds like the 1/3 band is slipping. You can tighten it if you pull off the transmission extension housing. At some point the band will snap, as it is a moving parts. All moving parts eventually fail.

It's on the external transmission. If I recall correctly, it's on the passenger's side.

Let us know how it goes. Also, bring me some cookies.

Lots of good info here: http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/check-engine-light-code-7297/#post85844 Tell your mechanic to get a new code reader.

100k is around when the head gaskets tend to go. You need to replace it with an OE Subaru t-stat. Anything else simply doesn't work and tends to overheat the engine. If you compare the aftermarket and OE t-stats you'll notice a huge different. When did you check the coolant? Sincerely doubt it was replaced. Find a mechanic who specialized in Asian cars and know Subaru well. Have them check the coolant for exhaust gases using the chemical test. If I had to put money on it I would bet your head gaskets are going. Sorry. :/

Neyt. The SOHC is non-interference, aka the ej22 is SOHC and non-interference. I'm unfamiliar with a SOHC ej25.

What?!

Rick, what's the deal with removing the t-stat? I am curious how that works.

You may have thrown a rod but you won't know until you can drop the oil pan to take a look.

He doesn't have the money or the ability to do the work on his own, so the engine will either be used until it cooks and dies or it'll sit forever. In this case one might try a chemical sealant.

Try some of that Barrs Head Gasket sealer? Steal Seal? If you've got no options then it's worth a try.

I am moving the NGK Laser Platinum plugs from my dead ej25 to the ej22 (from 99, I think). Any reason to believe they wouldn't work well?

You can do the heads with the engine still in, you just have to jack it up a little bit to make for more clearance.

Once you get the engine out you'll realize how simple it is to take the head off. It isn't all that hard. Just take pictures of all the parts you took off to make sure you put them back in the right place.

You can rent all the tools you need at AutoZone or Advance Auto Parts. As far as knowledge, we can walk you through it. As well there are many videos on YouTube that literally show you what to do, step by step.

Do it yourself!

An external head gasket leak? I didn't know the 95s did this. I strongly suggest a second and third opinion from other shops. If it is an external leak then you can go to your local dealer and get a bottle of Subaru Coolant Conditioner and add it to the coolant when the car is cold. The price quote is very high for a head gaskt job. For that price you could get a fully rebuilt engine installed. I suggest the ej22.

Get some engine degreaser and liberally spray down the engine. You need to clean it all up. Let it dry for a day. Come back the next day, turn on the engine and see where the leak is coming from. Report back your findings and bring me cookies.

Neutral Safety Switch?

Same place on both the ej22 and ej25?