May 14, 200421 yr Bummer............ My Son calls me up and say's his '86 wagon is being bad, (blowing smoke, running bad, blah, blah blah). I go check it out, but it's blowing steam, not smoke. Water in the oil and vice versa. The compression check is good, 180 to 200 PSI on all cyliders but #4 is wet. I just did the head gaskets on this motor about 2000 miles ago. Pity...... What do you think, cracked head? head gasket?
May 14, 200421 yr Please excuse my potential stupidity, but isnt 180-200 PSI about double what an engine is supposed to have?
May 14, 200421 yr A VERY tight engine could pull numbers like that. Either way, looks like you'll have to pull the head. Could be gaskets - did you use OEM or aftermarket? Some of the aftermarket stuff is junk. Felpro gaskets have always been good for me... GD
May 14, 200421 yr intake manifolds can leak and do the same stuff. maybe you'll get lucky. it could all go down one side.
May 14, 200421 yr Either way, looks like you'll have to pull the head. GD EASY there big shooter Intake manifold could easily be leaking water into a cylinder AND be bias twoards a particular one if the leak is in the right spot. Lets start easy TRIPPLE check all bolts you have touched when you did the head gaskets. This will not fix the problem but I bet you find some loose ones and particularly on the intake manifold. If they are loose then you will need to redo those gaskets. Retorqueing a part down on already leaking gaskets does not fix the problem but can buy you enough time to fix it. After checking everything then lets talk about pulling heads
May 14, 200421 yr This is true - leaking manifold gaskets could be the culprit. Jack up the rear end and see if leaks into #2 instead. And if you do have to redo the manifold gaskets, use a proper amount of RTV on them. A nice thin bead will do the job nicely, and PLEASE use anti-seize on the manifold bolts in case someone ever has to remove it again.... GD
May 14, 200421 yr well how would a leaky intake manifold gasket let oil in water and water in oil? burnig water, sure, but mixing? i dont know, if it is possible, id sure like to know. thanx. but to me it sounds like a head/gasket. could be manifold. still learning
May 14, 200421 yr YEAH! What he said.... darn you guys for making me rethink my post! I restate my former analysis - remove the head. GD
May 15, 200421 yr Even with the cooling issues that EA82's normally have, it might be a quick solution to toss some of that radiator sealer stuff in. I think that I had a manifold gasket leaking (sweet white smoke, plugs on left side nasty) and i used the sealer-in-a-bottle and the problem dissapeared. With the coolant going into the oil, this may not be such a good idea, who knows what it would do to the pump/ lifters, but you might get away with it. If you haven't lost compression, the ssealer shouldn't be under too much stress. It all depends on whether the engine is meant to be a limping laster or a smooth runner.
May 15, 200421 yr I recommend you NEVER use that sealer in a bottle stuff in a Subaru! A nice packet of pepper (like from Burger Biggie) will do the job nicely and not cause any internal problems, like totally screwing up your entire cooling system. Emily http://www.ccrengines.com
May 18, 200421 yr Author Well, the head's coming off no matter what. I can't see any issue that won't involve that. I guess I'll just wait and see what I find.
May 21, 200421 yr Author Well, I pulled the head. It looks like there was a gasket failure near the #4 cyl. There was a spot where the gasket hadn't stuck to the head or the block when I pulled it off. I guess that's the problem. I'll use sealer this time.......
May 21, 200421 yr Well, I pulled the head. It looks like there was a gasket failure near the #4 cyl. There was a spot where the gasket hadn't stuck to the head or the block when I pulled it off. I guess that's the problem. I'll use sealer this time....... Damn that sucks man Nothing worse then tearing down an engine you just built. Grrrr.... Good luck this time Gotta kick this thing in the butt so you can do that tranny!
May 21, 200421 yr sealer.. on a head gasket? i wasnt aware that there was a sealant for that application. are you talking about a "form a gasket"?? i didnt think anything else went on.:-\ well sorry to hear about the leak, and have fun.
May 22, 200421 yr Author I usually use the copper stuff..... I didn't on this one last time because the instructions for the gasket said not to. So does this one but I don't care! I'll use it this time anyway, I'm getting way to good at tearing down these EA82s (this is only the third engine I've had in this car)..... I'm starting to seriously consider swapping a good ole' EA81 in if this happens again.
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