What years and motors are prone too head gasket faliures?

[jrobe]

I really want to get my first daily driver Subaru.

I know some years had problems with head gaskets, bearing problems and piston slap.

Does any one know which years and motors to stay away from?
I want to make my first experiance a good one.

Thanks Jeff

[bakergtt]

use the search funtion and I bet you will find lots :smile:

[Huffer]

I really want to get my first daily driver Subaru.

I know some years had problems with head gaskets, bearing problems and piston slap.

Does any one know which years and motors to stay away from?
I want to make my first experiance a good one.

Thanks Jeff

Just about every DOHC motor from 1995-1999. But if they've been fixed with the new 4-layer headgasket, you should be fine. Personally, my cars are on original HG's and have been fine.

Bearings - not normally an issue in a normally aspirated engine. Piston slap is common in the DOHC engine. It's a design issue, but it's not that harmful.

[bakergtt]

damn it huffer they wont learn if you keep giving the answer :lol:

[grayguy]

I know my 98' DOHC 2.5 was fine...until I mechanically over revved it to 8500-9000rpm (don't know cause the tach doesn't go that high)

as long as you replace with the newer style head gaskets, you'll be fine.

[jrobe]

I have heard that the DOHC motors had issues. What years did they put those in? With the search I did it looks like they were all 2.5's and they started useing them in 96 but I can't find when they quit useing them.

Am I correct in assuming all 2.2 are SOHC.
Thanks Jeff

[Reason]

damn it huffer they wont learn if you keep giving the answer :lol:

lol touche

[Huffer]

I have heard that the DOHC motors had issues. What years did they put those in? With the search I did it looks like they were all 2.5's and they started useing them in 96 but I can't find when they quit useing them.

Am I correct in assuming all 2.2 are SOHC.
Thanks Jeff


Just about every DOHC motor from 1995-1999. But if they've been fixed with the new 4-layer headgasket, you should be fine. Personally, my cars are on original HG's and have been fine.

Bearings - not normally an issue in a normally aspirated engine. Piston slap is common in the DOHC engine. It's a design issue, but it's not that harmful.[/quote]

[bakergtt]

damn it huffer they wont learn if you keep giving the answer :lol:

lol touche

Just throwning some shizzzz :razz:

[Wiscon_Mark]

The DOHC applies the EJ25D engine which was found in the following Subarus:

'96-99 Legacy GT
'96 Legacy LSi
'97-99 Legacy Outback
'98 Impreza RS
'97-99 Forester

I think that's it.

[Sarra]

It's not like they blow the HG every week.

IMO, DOHC 2.5 > SOHC 2.5

[blackgtbeauty]

Anyone that starts with "Sub" and ends with "aru" (as it seems to me.)

[Wiscon_Mark]

Anyone that starts with "Sub" and ends with "aru" (as it seems to me.)

I haven't heard of headgasket failures on any of the turbo motors, or the EJ22s...or the more recent EJ25s (although their mettle has to be tested a little longer).

[Sarra]

Anyone that starts with "Sub" and ends with "aru" (as it seems to me.)

I haven't heard of headgasket failures on any of the turbo motors, or the EJ22s...or the more recent EJ25s (although their mettle has to be tested a little longer).

I had a headgasket go on a 1995 BK. There was an STi at the local dealership getting HG's replaced after one blew. So, yeah, any Subie can explode a headgasket, but the 2.2's and turbo motors do so way less.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Any engine with headgaskets can blow one if the conditions are right. I've just not heard of a lightly used EJ22 that never had overheating issues have problems with one. Same goes for the turbo motors.

It's extremely unlikely unless you have a vehicle that I listed above.