02 impreza 2.5 RS

[RussellW]

I talked my friend into buying an 02 RS,because I thought it would be a good car for him.I have a 98 lego wagon,knowing the head gasket problems with those models,I wanted to find him an outback sport-good luck finding one that someone is selling.Through reading on this message board,I don't think I did him any justice,the head gaskets are leaking,there is a black colored crud in the cooling system,the previous owner said he replaced the engine not too long ago,I don't know if it was because of gaskets or bearings,because I learned here there is now an issue with bearings.I guess my questions are do I replace the gaskets and check the heads out?Could bearing failure be prevented?Should I put an oil pressure gauge in it?I've done a few older head gaskets on the DOHC 2.5,how different is the newer SOHC 2.5.I think the previos owner said he also put in the cooling system supplement.Do I need to do that again?Is that the black colored substance or is it combustion byproducts?This car also seems to have what sounds like a transmission bearing noise,it is a manual and the noise is present when driving,not when the clutch is depressed.Maybe an input shaft bearing?It may be valvetrain noise but I don't think so.Is the valvetrain adjustment the same as the DOHC -with shims?Any advice would be appreciated.Thanks in advance.

[Legacy777]

You've got a lot of questions. I don't think I can give you answers on everything.

 

Regarding the head gaskets, I believe there has been some improvements/changes. I'd suggest talking with one of the local subaru dealership service centers to see if they can clarify that.

 

I haven't heard about the bearing issue.

 

Regarding the transmission. It probably is a bearing. My 97 impreza outback sport has the same symptoms. I'm just going to drive it until something craps out on it.

 

I'd suggest searching over on NASIOC as there are more impreza owners over there that may have experienced similar problems.