Hi everyone,
I just bought a '72 Volkswagen Bus with a Subaru conversion in it from a '95 Legacy 2.2. However, it has a coolant leak and after driving it for a short while, the coolant overflows (drops coming out). I'm suspecting this is the head gasket that needs replacing. I know you need to take the engine apart to replace the head gasket, but I've heard that it's a common problem for Subarus and every few months or so, the head gasket might go. Do you have any suggestions for me or ways to go about this problem?

Here are pictures of the engine...
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1e_...-x7A4xtIUlqc-M

Edited May 19, 20196 yr by omacdon2

lol, no, they do not "go every few months or so" if they are fixed correctly the first time. And this issue is most common with the early 2.5s, not the 2.2 that you have. In fact, the 95 2.2 is probably one of the best years for that motor.

Not to say that it never happens with a 2.2, but it is fairly uncommon.

To start with, where exactly are you seeing the leak from?

give us a few more details on the issue.

Thanks for the tips. Sorry I don't have much knowledge about Subaru motors, but it's coming from the black tube on the left of the engine compartment. If you didn't see, here is a link to some pictures https://drive.google.com/open?id=1e_...-x7A4xtIUlqc-M I checked the oil and there was no milky substance in it so I'm thinking it might just be a coolant leak so far, not the whole head gasket blown

8 minutes ago, heartless said:

lol, no, they do not "go every few months or so" if they are fixed correctly the first time. And this issue is most common with the early 2.5s, not the 2.2 that you have. In fact, the 95 2.2 is probably one of the best years for that motor.

Not to say that it never happens with a 2.2, but it is fairly uncommon.

To start with, where exactly are you seeing the leak from?

give us a few more details on the issue.

Thanks for the tips. Sorry I don't have much knowledge about Subaru motors, but it's coming from the black tube on the left of the engine compartment. If you didn't see, here is a link to some pictures https://drive.google.com/open?id=1e_...-x7A4xtIUlqc-M I checked the oil and there was no milky substance in it so I'm thinking it might just be a coolant leak so far, not the whole head gasket blown

are you referring to the black tube that I pointed the arrows to?

if yes, this is a fairly common failure - this is a coolant tube, and it is still available new, but will also require you to pull the intake to change it (means you will also need intake gaskets)

in a Subaru, this is a fairly straightforward job to do and does not take that long - but being this is in a VW bus, you may face other challenges - working space wise.

It wouldn't let me upload the picture before, but here it is. The vertical glossy black tube is where the leak is coming from.

Edited May 20, 20196 yr by omacdon2

13 minutes ago, heartless said:

are you referring to the black tube that I pointed the arrows to?

if yes, this is a fairly common failure - this is a coolant tube, and it is still available new, but will also require you to pull the intake to change it (means you will also need intake gaskets)

in a Subaru, this is a fairly straightforward job to do and does not take that long - but being this is in a VW bus, you may face other challenges - working space wise.

New picture posted above 

ok that is not stock equipment on a subaru. have no idea what that is, or what it is for

the location suggests something cooling system related, but sorry, no idea

 

Edited May 20, 20196 yr by heartless

Likely the coolant overflow bottle. Probably a head gasket.

The 2.2's are good for about 250k miles on a set of HG's. Do them properly (search the forum for parts and procedures) and put it back in. You'll be fine. 

GD