Question on Engines

[Bhatman]

I was wondering about something a dealer told me about the Subaru Legacy(2000) when I was inquiring about: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/car/614783980.html

He said that the 2000 model Legacy's and Outbacks had a "New Style" 2.5 engine which was basically the old 2.2.

So is this so, and if this is true are the 2000's less prone to HG failure or do they still have the same issues as the older 2.5's?

Does this also correlate with the Phase I and Phase II 2.5 engine blocks as well?

[SilentRacer]

yes, the 2000s are single overhead cam instead of double overhead cam. This makes them less prone to headgasket failure.

[Huffer]

I was wondering about something a dealer told me about the Subaru Legacy(2000) when I was inquiring about: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/car/614783980.html

He said that the 2000 model Legacy's and Outbacks had a "New Style" 2.5 engine which was basically the old 2.2.

So is this so, and if this is true are the 2000's less prone to HG failure or do they still have the same issues as the older 2.5's?

Does this also correlate with the Phase I and Phase II 2.5 engine blocks as well?

www.cars101.com (http://www.cars101.com) and thank Joe Spitz for that info.

The newer SOHC's are more reliable due to less moving parts and are smaller, whilst producing the same power in a lighter engine.

[Sarra]

I was wondering about something a dealer told me about the Subaru Legacy(2000) when I was inquiring about: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/car/614783980.html

He said that the 2000 model Legacy's and Outbacks had a "New Style" 2.5 engine which was basically the old 2.2.

So is this so, and if this is true are the 2000's less prone to HG failure or do they still have the same issues as the older 2.5's?

Does this also correlate with the Phase I and Phase II 2.5 engine blocks as well?

www.cars101.com (http://www.cars101.com) and thank Joe Spitz for that info.

The newer SOHC's are more reliable due to less moving parts and are smaller, whilst producing the same power in a lighter engine.

The SOHC motor was also a successful attempt to produce better low end power, too. They have the same torque and power peaks, but the SOHC makes more power down low. Or, supposedly, it does. IME, it's the opposite, but that's just my experience.

[Bhatman]

Thanks for the help! I guess then I should not worry about HG failures in the 2000 models or should I still worry? (I ask this because I have read postings on subaruoutback.org and some have 2000 model Outback Legacies)

[Sarra]

Always be watchful of a headgasket problem with a non-turbo 2.5.

[Monkhouse]

I have a 2000 2.5 SOHC and within the past year I paid $1700 for a headgasket replacement.