Head Gaskets - anything else I should do?

[RMVR53]

EA82 non-turbo in an 87 XT thats running hot and leaking oil on the right side so I'm assuming its head gasket time. Any recommendations on what else I should do while in there (besides split the case)

 

Bill

[Quidam]

EA82 non-turbo in an 87 XT thats running hot and leaking oil on the right side so I'm assuming its head gasket time. Any recommendations on what else I should do while in there (besides split the case)

 

Bill

 

Hey There,

 

Don't assume it's head gaskets. Check the radiator, the lower center area is prone to rot and not easily seen. Check the whole cooling system over. If I'm not sure, I do a leak down...you'll find out if you have a motor.

 

Doug

[idosubaru]

definitely make sure it's not something else. cooling system issues are frequent at this age...water pumps, hoses, radiators, clamps, thermostats, there are plenty of other things to cause overheating.

 

if it is headgaskets, locate, borrow or rent some air tools and go to town. the EA82 headgaskets are super easy to do. they can easily be done in a day no time. i like to have a fresh set of heads ready to go to reduce down time, but it's certainly not necessary. air tools help tremendously when removing all the cam carrier bolts and head bolts. there are a bunch of them. and when cleaning the head bolts holes i like to run the bolts holes down about three times in a row and clean the threads. three times in and out of dozens of holes adds up to alot...but is quick and easy with air tools. i do the 6 cylinder XT6 head gaskets and they're not bad at all....EA82's are super easy. it's money that it's a non turbo, the turbo's kind of suck.

 

while you're in there get a valve job done, new cam carrier o-rings (you'll need two) and valve covers. timing belts, water pump, cam seals, crank seal, oil pump are nice too but not that hard to do anyway so they can wait if they're in good condition. i'd probably definitely replace the water pump if it's never been replaced. thermostat too.