ccrinc

What year is the Forester? The '99 Outback will have the EJ25 DOHC engine. The Forester went to the SOHC engine earlier than any other. While many parts do swap, keep in mind that the Forester is built on the smaller Impreza chassis, while the Outback is on the larger Legacy platform. Yes, there are differences. Emily

At that age and mileage (and the fact that it's a Subaru), accept the fact that's it's going to leak fluids somewhere unless the owner has really kept up on maintenance. With that in mind, open the hood and look for any evidence of seeping oil and/or antifreeze and signs of corrosion. Are the rubber parts (hoses, belts) in good, flexible condition? Is there sludge in the coolant overflow bottle or radiator? I trust my ears a lot when looking at a used Subaru. That's not going to help you because you aren't as familiar with how the engine should sound, but if it has knocks, walk away. Taps and ticking can be fixed: knocks need major work. As for the AWD vs. 4X: I must prefer it unless I need to climb a tree. Emily

The most common issue we see in that engine with the problem you're describing is cracked ring lands on the pistons. This is most frequently caused by running too rich. Over revving can also affect it. Have you ever had the screen filters for the cam phasers cleaned or changed? What kind of oil are you using? How often have you been changing it? Do you have the factory turbo or a bigger one? Why didn't they do a compression check on all 4 cylinders since you've had misfires on all of them? Aside, from all the questions, yeah...you need at least a new shortblock which is what Motion Labs is offering. Emily

There are NO oil pan gaskets used in any Subaru engines post-EA82. RTV sealant only. Emily

Sorry, but Bwahahahaha!!! I know it's frustrating and a pain, but to us city folk, that's damn funny!

Once any Subaru overheats that badly, the head gaskets are sure to be shot. Every. Damn. Time. If you're sure you've solved what was making it overheat, proceed with the head gasket job. AND, get the heads surfaced! Emily

Oh, and replace your radiator cap. Use either a Subaru Genuine or Stant. Cheapo aftermarket ones are terrible! If it hasn't overheated, the head gaskets are likely not a problem. But there is NO way you should be losing coolant out of the radiator! Emily

Yes. They all have oiling issues which is what causes the bearing failures. In fact, the older ones are worse than the newer models. Ringland failures are usually the fault of the owner: too aggressive on the tuning, stupid tuning, running too rich or too lean, constant redlining, etc. We can hardly build these fast enough! Emily

GREAT engine. BUT...faithful oil changes are a MUST. But they are very reliable when maintained properly, which includes the cooling system. Changing the timing chains is not for the faint of heart. Over 100 bolts just to take off the front timing cover. To replace the tensioners, you must also take off the inner timing cover: another 100+ bolts! And, they must be removed/reinstalled in a specific order, then torqued in a specific order. I've seen the job and I don't want it. Emily

You are correct. Even traveling in Europe and South America, I (so far) have never encountered a RHD vehicle.

So, I mis-misquoted myself? Dang.

There is no actual thing as an EJ251. That is something that is found only in internet forums. Also, EJ253 or EJ25D. It's internet shorthand. Just FYI. Emily

"Left" and "right" are always noted as if you're sitting in the driver's seat. Therefore, left is always driver's side, right is always passenger's side. The belt guard is to protect the belt from skipping time. An automatic won't roll backward when the car is stopped and in park. A manual will, unless the E-brake is set. You know...that little backward roll for a few feet...it's enough to jump time and cause problems in these zero tolerance engines because the engine actually rotates backward when that happens. Recuperation. HA! If anyone ever says they want to fuse your entire spine AND put titanium screws and rods in you from your neck to your butt, tell them to go to hell! I did it for good reasons but I still wish I hadn't. I work from home, I haven't driven in 2 1/2 years, I'll never be able to bend ever again and I have constant spasms unless I'm lying flat on my back. I may just be the most badass woman you will ever know, because I've gone through it TWICE. Otherwise, I'm good. How about you? Or, as they say in New York, "how's by you?" Emily

Um, yeah. I misquoted myself: it's the other way around. They went from an 8 bolt to a 4 bolt. Otherwise, my post was correct. Emily

I remember one time when we bought the last EA71 head gaskets available in the country. They came from the only Subaru dealer in Wichita, KS. The packaging looked like it had been on the shelf since 1977! Ya never know.

Thanks, Larry!

Check your coolant temperature sensor, located on the coolant crossover pipe beneath the main intake manifold. When they go bad, or get dirty/corroded, you get a run rich condition like you have (which is really bad for your engine bearings, BTW). In general, remember that if it's rubber, it's going to deteriorate sooner than later. Emily

The engines will swap, BUT The left cam gear and the crank sprocket will have to be swapped between the engines. Also, since the Forester is a manual, you really should have a timing belt guard on the oil pump. Otherwise, no problem. Emily

There is a difference you should be aware of: the engine from an automatic does not have the bracket on the oil pump which keeps the timing belt from jumping if the car rolls back a bit like one out of a manual does. You know how a manual car does: it rolls back slightly when you stop if you don't have the E-brake set. Plus the EGR setup Matt noted. Also, '98 is the year that Subaru went from a center thrust to rear thrust crank and 4 bolt to 8 bolt bell housing. 6/98 to be precise. That said, the rear of the crank bolting to your transmission is identical on both. Emily

I have always used the Subaru Genuine pads too. They last longer, they're quiet...they just work. But, if I was going to go aftermarket, Akebono would be on my short list. Emily

Old School valve spring compressor, hand held. Check Goodson.com or Cylinder Head Supply. I'm not sure there IS any easy way to do them on EJ25 heads. Emily

Are we assuming you checked the oil level? Emily

We use Permatex Ultra Grey 599. Just don't get any gobs floating around and clean the surfaces very well before applying. Also, it can't sit and wait: it must be joined quickly. Emily

FYI, that oil pan is supposed to have a gasket, not RTV (which is a royal PITA). They are available at NAPA for a moderate price. Make sure you get one for the right year, they are famous for trying to give EA81 pan gaskets instead.

You're going to hate me, but that tiny o-ring is for the oil pick up tube in the oil pan. If the one you have now (assuming you have one) has even a nick in it, oil won't suction up into the engine. 4 thick ones - fuel injectors I'm not sure why you have MPFI intake and exhaust manifold gaskets for an SPFI, but that's what you have. I "think" the blue ones are for carburetor mounting: I don't "do" carburetors. That's a French word meaning "leave it alone". Emily