Best Sources for low mileage engines or re-man legacy 2.2L?

[filmplane]

Does anyone have any suggestions as where I might buy a low mileage or re-manufactured engine for a 1999 Subaru Legacy L Wagon 2.2L?

Any online links or best places to search would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[harrymaneuvers]

What area are you in?

If you are looking for cheap then your best bet is probably a JDM motor but I dont know if the Phase 2 2.2L was ever made in Japan.

Other than that you can buy a reman short block from subaru for about $2000.

If you are in Northern California I could "Reman" one for you... I have a source for core short blocks.

Why not just pull your motor and have someone replace the internals?

[filmplane]

What area are you in?

If you are looking for cheap then your best bet is probably a JDM motor but I dont know if the Phase 2 2.2L was ever made in Japan.

Other than that you can buy a reman short block from subaru for about $2000.

If you are in Northern California I could "Reman" one for you... I have a source for core short blocks.

Why not just pull your motor and have someone replace the internals?

I am in North Carolina, USA. I had head gasket replaced just over a year ago (about 20,000 miles of driving) and I just had it tested because of intermittent overheating after mountain driving and coolant loss (but no leaks). The mechanic confirmed that it is a cracked head or block due to pressure test results (mechanic put gauge on the radiator cold, the pressure went from 0-5 psi when loading engine. Then let it warm up and did it again, went from 0-25 psi instantly).

Mechanic says it is not worth opening up engine again so exploring my option i.e. low mileage / re man engines.

Besides a reman or low mileage, I don't really see any other options besides ditching the car and getting another? Thanks for the input so far!

[ctbrighton]

i see 2.2L ej's on craigslist all the time in new england, sometimes for pretty cheap.

the only problem would be is they're usually phase I, and you're almost certainly Phase II

[Garrison]

What part of NC are you in?

You can swap any block into your 2.2L, so don't stress over the phase model. As long as your heads remain the same, your manifold, ecu, ect. all remain the same. I doubt your heads are cracked (whatever that means); it could be that the headgasket wasn't installed correctly.

[filmplane]

What part of NC are you in?

You can swap any block into your 2.2L, so don't stress over the phase model. As long as your heads remain the same, your manifold, ecu, ect. all remain the same. I doubt your heads are cracked (whatever that means); it could be that the headgasket wasn't installed correctly.

Thanks for the info Garrison, I am in Greensboro. About every third car I see in Asheville is a Subaru :lol: . I am tempted to find a Subaru mechanic in Asheville as I don't know of any here. Our dealership is useless. What kind of part and labor cost does swapping a block involve? Are you saying that Subaru engine heads don't crack typically? And incorrect head gasket installation? What else besides a pressure test can be done without opening up engine to diagnose?

This week the mechanic (who replaced the head gasket) is the one that suggested that the head was cracked or even the block fter a pressure test. Unfortunately, I did not take it back to him before the 12,000 mile or one year warranty expired (maybe would have found the issue then?). 20,000 miles later, lesson learned.

I had the mechanic test for head gasket failure this week because I have been having intermittent over heating issues since March and loss of coolant but no visible leaking. The overheating issue first happened on a drive last March, driving highway I-40 West from Greensboro to Asheville. Best I can guess, is the Legacy doesn't like the engine load on it when it drives up and over the mountain at Old Fort. Both times I have made that run, when pulling off the exit, the car seems like it is struggling to lower RPMs/ revvving and the temp gauge jumps into the red. Turned the heater on to get the temp down and that has gotten me back driving and leveled off the temp.

Last week after the last series of overheating (after driving from Asheville, then stopping in Winston-Salem) the car over heated again, this time, heater blew cold air. I had no access to coolant so let the car sit, added water to radiator and finally got the heater to blow hot and with the heater on, drove the car 25 min down the road to Greensboro.

The following day I burped the radiator following the procedure outlined in the forums and ended up adding almost a gallon of 50/50. This is why I took to the mechanic to diagnose the unexplained coolant loss and random, intermittent overheat. This is the mechanic who replaced the head gasket over 20,000 miles ago. Since that head gasket repair, I have had the water pump and thermostat replaced (the replaced ones were both installed new with head gasket replacement).

At this point I definitely don't think it is either the water pump or thermostat since those have both been replaced as of March. And my other question is that the overheating seems so specific to this particular drive: 2-3 hours of highway driving, up over the mountain and then coming to a fast stop, i.e. pulling off at an exit. I mean since March, I have been driving up and down the highway in the Piedmont (very little mountain roads) and NO issues overheating.

Think I should get a second opinion from a Subaru expert? Does the issue outlined in this post bear any responsibility to my intermittent overheating or is it separate issue (http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=27262)

Thanks for the help!

[Garrison]

Yeah, the other night I actually pulled up to a light and had 3 other soob BK wagons roll up next-to and behind me, haha

hopefully you replaced the thermostat with a oem unit, as aftermarket tend to fail.

Your symptoms sound a lot like headgasket failure. Check your overflow bottle for gray oil residue, and your tail-pipe for white smoke.
Definitely check out Subaru's R Us, they're the local specialists and they take great care of their customers. I would expect >$500 for the engine pull and such, and they usually have core shortblocks there that they'll make you a deal on.

Definitely have them check your situation out though, as they'll be able to lead you in the right direction. They're good people, I wouldn't hesitate to bring my soob to them anytime.

[filmplane]

Yeah, the other night I actually pulled up to a light and had 3 other soob BK wagons roll up next-to and behind me, haha

hopefully you replaced the thermostat with a oem unit, as aftermarket tend to fail.

Your symptoms sound a lot like headgasket failure. Check your overflow bottle for gray oil residue, and your tail-pipe for white smoke.
Definitely check out Subaru's R Us, they're the local specialists and they take great care of their customers. I would expect >$500 for the engine pull and such, and they usually have core shortblocks there that they'll make you a deal on.

Definitely have them check your situation out though, as they'll be able to lead you in the right direction. They're good people, I wouldn't hesitate to bring my soob to them anytime.

Thanks for all of the fantastic info and also for the Subaru's R Us recommendation - I have heard good things about them too and will definitely talk to them about our situation.

Any chance you have had experience using the Subaru Cooling System Conditioner? (http://www.scoobyenthusiast.com/subaru- ... -soa635071 (http://www.scoobyenthusiast.com/subaru-maintenance/all-about-subaru-cooling-system-conditioner-soa635071))

Would there be any harm in giving the coolant conditioner a go until I can save up funds for a long term solution?

[Garrison]

I've heard that the coolant conditioner is a giant band-aid for the problem; the recommended use is right after a new headgasket has been installed. It might prolong your engine's life, so why not go for it?

[filmplane]

I've heard that the coolant conditioner is a giant band-aid for the problem; the recommended use is right after a new headgasket has been installed. It might prolong your engine's life, so why not go for it?

Yeah, I think I will have a go at it. For $1.75 a bottle why not? I am going to call Subarus R Us and set up an appointment to bring my car in. I've got family in Asheville so it wouldn't be a chore to drop it off there (and right over the mountain where the overheating has happened!)

Need to get a second opinion from mechanics who only work on Subarus. Since I burped and added coolant after last overheat, I have had no significant coolant loss and have driven almost 300 miles intown and highway combined. I know the pressure test suggests a head gasket leak but I do not think it is as fatal as a cracked head or block as my mechanic says. No white smoke in exhaust and the coolant reservoir doesn't smell like oil or gas. As far as gray oil residue, I don't see any - would it be on the reservoir top and on the sides and very noticeable? I'll have to see if I can find of picture online of what that looks like.