January 4, 201115 yr Hi, y'all. I am wondering if it is possible to change the head gasket of the 2.5 L SOHC engine in my 2003 Outback without removing the engine from the vehicle. If anyone has experience with this, would you please let me know if it's possible and if any special things need to be done to make it possible? I have changed the timing belt and water pump with no problem, but I am wondering if there's enough clearance on the sides to allow the head to be removed in place.... Thanks for any help... Matt D.
January 4, 201115 yr It can be done in the car. Clearance is not an issue. Just make sure that you clean the block surfaces very well.
January 4, 201115 yr Author Good, I just wanted to be sure before I get into it. I would hate to get it taken 80% apart and then find I can't get the heads off the block. Matt
January 4, 201115 yr Here is a link to a thread that has some info on doing a 2000 SOHC in the car HG replacement: http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/99-do-yourself-illustrated-guides/7867-2000-my-obw-car-head-gasket-replacement.html Its a similar installation to your 2003
January 4, 201115 yr Author Thanks, this is perfect. I just want to see what I am getting into. I have changed a head gasket or two on other cars, but the heads were facing upwards, so clearance was not an issue. Matt
January 4, 201115 yr have really good equipment and/or materials for cleaning the block. the right angle access is annoying to get them clean but otherwise the saved effort and time is well worth it in my opinion. i use a right angle drill with one of those abrasive attachments for aluminum, NAPA carries them, they're yellow discs.
January 4, 201115 yr Author Thanks, Gary. I'm going to try the Subaru "Coolant Conditioner" first since it is only a small external coolant leak, and I don't really have the time or money for the full HG job right now. I just want to know what I am getting into when I do decide to take my engine apart.... Matt
January 5, 201115 yr I should have asked if the problem was the external leak. I bought a 99 forester 2 years ago and it too has the external leak. I put a bottle of the conditioner in and I just have to top the resivior bottle off every couple of months now. A much better idea than pulling the engine right now. I am not put out by having to check it every so often. Heck, I am always check the fuids anyway, so what is one more. Good luck
January 7, 201115 yr Author Ok, I've had the conditioner in for 2 days, and have only done limited driving (to and from work, 15 min each way) and it seems to have helped dramatically. I was skeptical that it would work, but it seems to be working well. Now I can plan for any repairs in the future... Thanks to all. Matt
January 7, 201115 yr Hi, y'all. I am wondering if it is possible to change the head gasket of the 2.5 L SOHC engine in my 2003 Outback without removing the engine from the vehicle. If anyone has experience with this, would you please let me know if it's possible and if any special things need to be done to make it possible? I have changed the timing belt and water pump with no problem, but I am wondering if there's enough clearance on the sides to allow the head to be removed in place.... Thanks for any help... Matt D. Yes you can. But it makes the job twice as hard. The engine comes out in an hour, it's not a big deal. It's 10 more bolts and 4 nuts to pull the engine. have really good equipment and/or materials for cleaning the block. the right angle access is annoying to get them clean but otherwise the saved effort and time is well worth it in my opinion. i use a right angle drill with one of those abrasive attachments for aluminum, NAPA carries them, they're yellow discs. Never, ever use those. They remove material from the block surface leaving it with high and low spots. You'll end up with blown head gaskets again when they don't seal. The also get grit into the engine and ruin the bearings. Only use the trailing edge of a razor blade and brake clean to clean the block and head surfaces.
January 7, 201115 yr Only use the trailing edge of a razor blade . . . . Can you explain the technique a bit? Thnx!
January 7, 201115 yr Author No, I wouldn't try grinding the gasket sealing surfaces.... I usually use a soft scraper and solvent. Also, I would love to be able to remove the engine from the car, but I don't have a suitable apparatus for lifting it out of the vehicle. Maybe I unknowingly have a friend with a shop crane. I should ask around. Thanks for the advice. Matt
January 7, 201115 yr Can you explain the technique a bit? Thnx! Pull the blade over the surface with the sharp opposite of the direction you are scraping. You don't want it to dig in. No, I wouldn't try grinding the gasket sealing surfaces.... I usually use a soft scraper and solvent. Also, I would love to be able to remove the engine from the car, but I don't have a suitable apparatus for lifting it out of the vehicle. Maybe I unknowingly have a friend with a shop crane. I should ask around. Thanks for the advice. Matt 2 guy can lift it out if you get desperate. They only weigh about 300 lbs. My buddy and I do it all the time when buying junkyard engines.
January 7, 201115 yr Also, I would love to be able to remove the engine from the car, but I don't have a suitable apparatus for lifting it out of the vehicle. Maybe I unknowingly have a friend with a shop crane. i bought mine from a guy who bought it for his engine repair. he paid retail, i paid half. they are not terribly expensive, especially if you resell it and get half of your money back. the bigger issue for me was a roof to work under. i don't have a garage, just a shed i can nose into. pulling the engine in the drive way / parking lot versus pulling the heads in the car i might opt for in the car.
January 7, 201115 yr In the middle of winter if you don't have a garage, I'd pull the engine and take it someplace warm to work on it. You can get it out in about an hour vs. being outside for hours on end bending over a fender. I have heat and AC in my garage.
January 8, 201115 yr Author I was able to find some used lifts on craigslist for reasonable prices... so maybe I will go that route... Thx
January 8, 201115 yr I have used a thick beam run across several rafters in my garage and a ratcheting cable hoist to pull a couple of Subaru engines and re-install. The hoist is much safer alternative though. Just make sure you have a good hard surface to work on so your hoist doesn't sink into the ground.
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