My daughter is getting ready to sell her 1995 Hatch back Impreza (182,000) so as a selling point I thought I’d point out its good and bad points. She just bought a nice low mileage 96 Legacy to replace the cosmetically challenged Impreza. In our case the EJ18 doesn’t drip oil anytime, unlike our 98 Forester.

 

So I thought I’d get people’s opinions on this engine. I understand all EJ18 engines are non-interference. We are looking forward to hearing your opinions.

EJ18s = easy (if gutless) 250,000 miles.

 

Dont overheat or ignore oil and the car will go to the scrap yard for something other than the engine.

 

New timing kit and tune up and VCGs and it’ll be very reliable.

What’s VCG?

EJ18s are solid solid engines.

 

change the oil.

 

identical T-belt and VC gasket setup as EJ22. easy parts still.

VCG must be valve cover gasket

 

I’ve heard from a local mechanic that some Subaru engines are picky about spark plug brands? Is that true?

 

Timing stuff was changed 10,000 miles ago. So I thought we’d change oil, filter, and plugs as good selling points.

NGK plugs only

Yes EJ and newer engines aren’t forgiving with plugs. With modern cars it’s usually best to install OEM which is usually, and preferably, NGK for Subarus.

What about the NGK iridium or platinum plugs?

If you want but there’s not much reason. Since it doesn’t matter then so whatever you want.

 

The platinum plugs used in H6 engines are awesome. I pull them at 100k and they still look awesome and I’ve never seen the h6 EZ plugs have issues. Nice on an engine where plugs are much more time to replace. But there’s not much need for them in an EJ18

Edited May 22, 20187 yr by idosubaru

Copper core plugs such as NGK will be fine. I totally forgot about swapping mine on the 22 for ages - as in 100k km ages. No running issues what so ever - but I may have worked the coil pack harder as the gap increased.

 

For a sale I'd do a set of decent quality plugs over a set of expnsice plugs - and have the old ones on hand for viewing if asked about. Some potential buyers may be suss as to why spark plugs and oil are changed just before a sale. Personally I prefer to see oil mid way through the interval change period to get an idea of the rings' condition etc.

 

Cheers

 

Bennie

Copper core plugs such as NGK will be fine. I totally forgot about swapping mine on the 22 for ages - as in 100k km ages. No running issues what so ever - but I may have worked the coil pack harder as the gap increased.

 

 

Exactly!!

 

That's why I always slather em up real good with anti-sieze, cause there's more danger in them getting stuck than they ever stop working!

 

I've pulled out standard NGKs with at least 75k miles (and probably more) to find the center electrode worn to a point, and still hitting every lick!