88 head gasget????

[srepair]

I've got 2 88 subaru wagons. one with and one without turbo. I bought the turbo for some parts cheap on ebay since it was less than the pic-a-part prices. Problem is it runs great for about 5 minutes then starts getting water in oil, still runs great, though. So--- I am thinking of trying to fix it rather than just using it for parts. I suspect a bad head or gasget but am surprised it runs so good if that is what it is. I have looked at drawings in the books i have and can't see other ways for water to get into oil. I suspect it is on the return side since it does not get oil in water and the water pressure is less than the oil pressure. (maybe this explains why it runs well)

 

1. Is this more likely to be a bad head or a bad head gasget? ( or something else?)

 

2. Anyone with knowledge or ideas to tell which side it is???

 

3. any other thought or ideas welcome.

[MorganM]

1) Typicaly its head gasket before head. Keep driving it like it is and it will be both Mine ran okay mixing oil and coolant. It's not really effecting the combustion process (unless water starts shooting into the cylinder) but it is drasticly effecting your oil's ability to properly lubricate. read: lots of funny lines on your crank, main bearings, cams, etc etc...

 

2) Not really one worth doing. Just pull them both off and do them both

 

3) It's all doable by the weekend warrior. Just upto you if you really want to do it. Heads can be done with engine in the car. I'd prefer pulling it and doing everything I could then but I've already pulled mine before and 'gone through it' so its alot easier than pulling a stock engine.

[srepair]

Thanks for info. Haven't run it much ( 3 times for less than 5 minutes) so hopefully the bearings are OK I don't know history before me. On my non-turbo, pulling the engine was exceptionally easy so I will probably pull this one and do both per your advice