Heironymous Josch Posted November 23, 2007 Share Posted November 23, 2007 I'm shopping for a newer subaru to replace my old EA81 sedan. Ideally, I'm looking for a 91-96 wagon to avoid both head and timing belt woes but I'm open to low mileage EJ25's as well. There's a local subie specialist that has both an 02 H6 LL Bean and an 02 Outback 2.5 H4. I went over today to chat with him and both cars had a hell of a time starting in the cold. Granted it's 24 degrees out but my carburetted EA81 started this morning with minimal coaxing. I couldn't even get the 3.0 to start and the 2.5 took like 5 minutes. Is this normal? I can't imagine cranking a 5 year old car for 5 minutes every morning. Also, I know quite a bit about the 2.5 but what should I look out for in the 3.0 H6? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xrturbo Posted November 23, 2007 Share Posted November 23, 2007 That is odd for them to take that long, either car shouldn't take more than a few RPMs to kick off. The H6 is an absolutely amazing motor, I have a few customers that have over 200,000 miles and literally havent done a thing to them except change the oil (literally!). The 2.5 doesn't really matter much whether it has 20,000 miles or 100,000 you will still have cat replacements and normally one round of headgaskets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted November 23, 2007 Share Posted November 23, 2007 not at all, they start right up, first crank like any other normal car. those batteries probably have issues. i wouldn't get an 02 or earlier EJ25, i would stick with 03 or later for EJ25 due to head gasket issues, mileage doesn't matter. or...check to see if it's been replaced yet, that's your best bet. no need to discuss this here, it's a rather lengthy topic. just click on the "Search" arrow on the gray line above and type in "head gasket" or "headgasket", search "titles only" in the "New Generation" forum and spend some time reading if this topic or this 02 engine really interests you. it may be eligible for Subaru's extended 100,000 mile head gasket warranty though - double check that of course with a search and calling your local dealer, i think only some 00-02 models are eligible for this. a nice, low mileage 95-96 legacy would be awesome (i personally don't like the looks of the older models). can't beat those for the reliability and the price you can get them at these days. keep in mind some legacys up to 99 or so still had the EJ22, the lower end models (not the GT's, SUS, and such). the interference isn't a big deal, just change the pulleys, water pump and timing belt which if you like reliability and given the age of the vehicles should be done anyway in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heironymous Josch Posted November 23, 2007 Author Share Posted November 23, 2007 That is odd for them to take that long, either car shouldn't take more than a few RPMs to kick off. The H6 is an absolutely amazing motor, I have a few customers that have over 200,000 miles and literally havent done a thing to them except change the oil (literally!). The 2.5 doesn't really matter much whether it has 20,000 miles or 100,000 you will still have cat replacements and normally one round of headgaskets. I'm having a real tough time finding info on the H6 on this forum. Thanks for your input. What's that motor called? EJ30? A search for H6 turned up zero. "3.0" turned up zero. EJ30 pulled up 2 threads. The only complaint I've heard is that they went with a timing chain on the H6. So the head gasket issues the EJ25 had are non-existent on the H6? How many miles could I expect that timing chain to operate without fail? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heironymous Josch Posted November 23, 2007 Author Share Posted November 23, 2007 not at all, they start right up, first crank like any other normal car. those batteries probably have issues. i wouldn't get an 02 or earlier EJ25, i would stick with 03 or later for EJ25 due to head gasket issues, mileage doesn't matter. or...check to see if it's been replaced yet, that's your best bet. no need to discuss this here, it's a rather lengthy topic. just click on the "Search" arrow on the gray line above and type in "head gasket" or "headgasket", search "titles only" in the "New Generation" forum and spend some time reading if this topic or this 02 engine really interests you. it may be eligible for Subaru's extended 100,000 mile head gasket warranty though - double check that of course with a search and calling your local dealer, i think only some 00-02 models are eligible for this. a nice, low mileage 95-96 legacy would be awesome (i personally don't like the looks of the older models). can't beat those for the reliability and the price you can get them at these days. keep in mind some legacys up to 99 or so still had the EJ22, the lower end models (not the GT's, SUS, and such). the interference isn't a big deal, just change the pulleys, water pump and timing belt which if you like reliability and given the age of the vehicles should be done anyway in my opinion. Thanks for the info. Yeah, I've read plenty about the 2.5 to know that I'd prefer to steer clear of it unless I know the HG's have been replaced. I didn't know that the problem was remedied in '03, so thanks for that. I just did a head job on my 83 EA81 and I certainly don't want to do it on a relatively new car! I believe I read elsewhere on this forum that the the 2.2's, post '96, went to an interference design. Is this correct? I am all about preventative maintenance but a non-interference design makes things much more simple. I don't have to verify that the timing belt has been done or plan to have it done immediately after a purchase. If I bought a pre-97 EJ22 I know that I can drive it off the lot and, in a worst case scenario, drive it until the belt goes out without fear of major damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted November 23, 2007 Share Posted November 23, 2007 I'm having a real tough time finding info on the H6 on this forum. Thanks for your input. What's that motor called? EJ30? A search for H6 turned up zero. "3.0" turned up zero. EJ30 pulled up 2 threads. The only complaint I've heard is that they went with a timing chain on the H6. So the head gasket issues the EJ25 had are non-existent on the H6? How many miles could I expect that timing chain to operate without fail? the H6 is an EZ30. this forum does not like three letter search, so stuff like "3.0" would not work probably. you might get results with 3.0* or *3.0. head gasket issue is EJ25 only and only 1996-2002 EJ25's. it's the only Subaru engine with head gasket related issues. timing chains are designed to last the life of the vehicle. even trucks doing significant towing, 200,000 miles is easy for a timing chain, i imagine in a car it's even easier though i'm sure it's lighter duty. when you go look, check out the owners manual for timing chain maintenance. actually that might be a good search term since that's the only subaru engine with a timing chain. search for "timing chain" in the New Generation forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted November 23, 2007 Share Posted November 23, 2007 post '96, went to an interference design. Is this correct? yep, sure is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heironymous Josch Posted November 23, 2007 Author Share Posted November 23, 2007 (i personally don't like the looks of the older models) Come on! This car has loads of sex appeal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heironymous Josch Posted November 23, 2007 Author Share Posted November 23, 2007 the H6 is an EZ30. this forum does not like three letter search, so stuff like "3.0" would not work probably. you might get results with 3.0* or *3.0. head gasket issue is EJ25 only and only 1996-2002 EJ25's. it's the only Subaru engine with head gasket related issues. timing chains are designed to last the life of the vehicle. even trucks doing significant towing, 200,000 miles is easy for a timing chain, i imagine in a car it's even easier though i'm sure it's lighter duty. when you go look, check out the owners manual for timing chain maintenance. actually that might be a good search term since that's the only subaru engine with a timing chain. search for "timing chain" in the New Generation forum. Excellent! Will do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted November 23, 2007 Share Posted November 23, 2007 Come on! This car has loads of sex hey, quit taking my posts out of context, we're in agreement! a nice, low mileage 95-96 legacy would be awesome (i personally don't like the looks of the older models). that picture is of a 95-96...or later just like i mentioned. they are much nicer than the 94 and earlier models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotshot Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 Picture actually should be of a '97 Outback. The previous owner of mine completely fried the original engine, and since a newer one has been put in, I haven't had any problems or complaints. (although I did just manage to break the backlight on the gear selector tonight....grrrr) If you find one that has already gone through the whole ordeal with the HGs then you are pretty safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urabusman Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 There is a reflash for cold start problems on the 3.0L.You will have to go to the dealer to get it done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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