Quick question about doing head gaskets

[bAbYbEcKy]

do I have to remove the engine to do them? is it possible to do them with the engine still in the car? my 2.2 is running like crap, it's missing :( I'm pretty sure the head gaskets are blown :(

[Huffer]

A misfire isn't necessarily a symptom of head gasket failure. Could just be a bad sparkplug.

You can do the HG's with the engine still in the car but it's worth it to replace all the seals etc at the same time so you might as well have the engine pulled and work on it outside. It's just easier and takes less time to disassemble the heads that way.

But check for HG failure symptoms first.

[green97gt]

most definitely rule out all other possibilities first.

run a compression check, test coolant for gasses, etc.

then if you find it is the HGs pull the motor to do them. then get rear main seals, oil plate thing, front seals, etc while your at it.

[bAbYbEcKy]

I'm pretty postive it's the head gasket. but I'll run a compression check first.

I need to replace the oil pan anyways, so I should just pull it. I was being lazy. lol.

Thanks you guys!

[bAbYbEcKy]

what should the cylinder compression be? It's a 2.2l.

also, I get a catalytic converter error code when I have the car ran -- would this have any effect on how the car runs?

[bAbYbEcKy]

also, I pulled my plugs and they were full of carbon, so I'm assuming the engine is running rich. what would cause this? I'm also having trouble with my fuel gauge all of a sudden -- it reads EMPTY, but I can still drive at LEAST 100 miles before triggering the fuel light. weird.

I really appreciate your help.

[Reason]

All Subaru engines run rich.

[bAbYbEcKy]

I'm only getting 8 mpg, so it's REALLY rich. too rich.

[Reason]

Damn girl you got something going on wrong. What have you replaced recently?

[Huffer]

O2 sensor will cause richer run. Sounds like the car needs a tune-up. If you're mis-firing then you're dumping gas into a cylinder that isn't igniting properly, causing bad MPG among other things.

Oil pan can be done with engine in car, just not without some trouble.

[bAbYbEcKy]

I haven't replaced anything recently. ugh.

the CEL came on so I had it run and it came up at the cat. That light has been on for a few months now.

I put new plugs in, new wires too yesterday. No change. I'm thinking maybe the timing belt skipped a tooth or 2? I plan on checking the timing today. All cylinders have about the same compression, 215ish, but doesnt that seem high? maybe not. I don't know.

The fuel gauge things is driving me batty. lol. maybe it's unrelated and just happened to happen all at the same time.

[bAbYbEcKy]

also, the car has less then 150k miles on it. I think it's right at 130k or so. and it's not raced or anything. mostly just a work car.

[Reason]

Yea the timing could be off, I think mine is off as well. The fuel gauge COULD be a separate matter. So if you are getting a code for the cat, why don't you replace it?

[bAbYbEcKy]

Yea the timing could be off, I think mine is off as well. The fuel gauge COULD be a separate matter. So if you are getting a code for the cat, why don't you replace it?

I plan on it. They aren't cheap to replace. lol

[Reason]

unless you score a used one :smile:

[bAbYbEcKy]

unless you score a used one :smile:

I'm trying. Craigslist here I come. lol

[Mr_Legacy]

yea i seem to be havin the same problems with what is goin with her car, i have changed the spark plugs an the boots but i get a CEL that says that my idling control module or a idle system part. I'm not sure even where to start. an mine is the same engine 2.2L

[bAbYbEcKy]

hmm...I ran the codes on it and got this:
P0170 *Fuel Trim Malfunction

wtf? I *might* have an exhaust leak. would that cause this? I'm gonna have to crawl under the car and take a peek

[jey]

In most states it is illegal to buy/sell used catalytic converters. Just go to an exhaust shop and have them weld on a new generic cat - should be around $200.

[Huffer]

hmm...I ran the codes on it and got this:
P0170 *Fuel Trim Malfunction

wtf? I *might* have an exhaust leak. would that cause this? I'm gonna have to crawl under the car and take a peek

Bad front O2 sensor. Bad air filter. Dirty intake. Failing MAF sensor

[theboyo19]

my original motor was a 2.2. ran like crap. TERRIBLE gas mileage terrible power everything your talking about. it died so i took it apart. ended up that the previous owner had run cheap old gas in it.. alot of carbon built up on the valves it lost compression and would not seal. if the compression test shows your losing it you can run seafoam through it and see if that can clear it up. i ended up taking the valves outta my heads and re-grinding the seats with a "valve reseating compound"
anyways now that ive rambled run some seafoam though it and see what happens. put it in the gas and run that puppy lol

[ouch1011]

215psi compression is WAY high for these engines. I would expect to see that on a nearly brand new engine running about 11:1 compression, not an old 2.2L running like 9.5:1 compression. 160psi or so is what I would expect to see.

Higher than normal compression usually means carbon buildup on top of the pistons. If you have that much carbon buildup on there, a simple fuel injector cleaner isn't going to cut it. Not sure what Subaru would suggest, but Mazda had this problem on at least one of their engines, and their first suggested repair was to pull all the spark plugs, pour top engine cleaning solvent into the cylinders via the spark plug bores until each cyl was full and let it set overnight, then turn the engine over by hand to pump out all the solvent, reinstall spark plugs, change the oil, then fire it up and take it out to do a few full throttle 0-60 runs to try and blow all the crap out. This should work fine on the SOHC Subaru models since the spark plug bores are on the top side of the engine, but not so good on the DOHC models for obvious reasons.