BigMattyD Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdjdc Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 It can be done in the car. Clearance is not an issue. Just make sure that you clean the block surfaces very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMattyD Posted January 4, 2011 Author Share Posted January 4, 2011 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike104 Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMattyD Posted January 4, 2011 Author Share Posted January 4, 2011 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMattyD Posted January 4, 2011 Author Share Posted January 4, 2011 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdjdc Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMattyD Posted January 7, 2011 Author Share Posted January 7, 2011 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subaru360 Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olnick Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Only use the trailing edge of a razor blade . . . . Can you explain the technique a bit? Thnx! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMattyD Posted January 7, 2011 Author Share Posted January 7, 2011 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subaru360 Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subaru360 Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 I have heat and AC in my garage. nicer than my first house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMattyD Posted January 8, 2011 Author Share Posted January 8, 2011 I was able to find some used lifts on craigslist for reasonable prices... so maybe I will go that route... Thx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ionlyhave3suubs Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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