EJ22T Loose Crank

[wtdash]

Looking for confirmation on what I'm afraid is bad news:

 

When I was putting in the rear main seal on my EJ22T project, the crank would move in/out-forward/aft a good 1/8".

 

Rumor is this means the bearings/rings need replaced, which of course requires splitting the engine open...... Not currently in my bag of mechanical skills. The engine has roughly 160K on it, so maybe it's due anyway.

 

I was told the engine may run this way for awhile (or Not), but could cause further damage to the block rendering it junk.

 

Comments welcomed before I put anymore time into this.

 

Thanks

Td

[subaru360]

The thrust bearing is probably bad. You could drive it like that for a while if you had to. If it get bad enough, crank will start to hit the block as it turns and ruin it.

[Jerry DeMoss]

Ya the thrust bearing definately. The crank may be really worn also. My ej22t has a little over 170k on it and hasn't done anything that drastically yet. I wonder what could have caused that?

[Log1call]

Sitting at the lights with the clutch in is bad for them. Starting the motor with the clutch in is even worse due to no oil pressure at that stage.

[ericem]

Sitting at the lights with the clutch in is bad for them. Starting the motor with the clutch in is even worse due to no oil pressure at that stage.

 

automatic no worries?

[wtdash]

I wonder what could have caused that?

 

I bought the short block w/a bunch of other turbo parts, incl. heads and intake, from a guy locally....and they were all used when he got them, too. So hard to say.

 

But I (am) was too much of a noob to check for these issues when I bought it.

Edited May 14, 2009 by wtdash

[erik litchy]

i would split the block and have a machine shop check the crank out.

[subaru360]

It really wouldn't be a horribly expensive repair if you can find somebody familiar with subaru engines in your area who doesn't charge a lot. Pull the engine and take them the shortblock. You can get new bearings for about $100 and a used EJ22 crank is cheap if you need it. You don't need an EJ22T crank, they are all the same.