Head gasket issues... what's the skinny?

[Michael Pardee]

With an eye toward shopping for a '90something Outback, I'm gathering the
hard-earned wisdom here. I hear about head gasket issues with later models -
anybody able to say when the vulnerable engines came out, and any other
details?

TIA!

Mike

 

[Clifford Heath]

With an eye toward shopping for a '90something Outback, I'm gathering the
hard-earned wisdom here. I hear about head gasket issues with later models -
anybody able to say when the vulnerable engines came out, and any other
details?

Just a quick one since it's time for bed. I spent over $AU3000 a couple
of months ago having our EJ25 engine rebuilt - this is the vulnerable
DOHC engine. The problem is that the crossover pipe that takes coolant
across from one side to the other is the highest point in the engine,
and without some extreme gyrations, will trap half a pint of air when
the coolant is refilled. On starting, the air flows to sit at a point
in the head which overheats and the gasket fails.

The solution is correct filling procedure, or better, tap a small tube
into the top of the crossover pipe to return the air to the radiator
during bleeding. The folling procedure has been described here recently,
I guess Google groups can find it.

Clifford Heath.

 

[Michael Pardee]

Just a quick one since it's time for bed. I spent over $AU3000 a couple
of months ago having our EJ25 engine rebuilt - this is the vulnerable
DOHC engine. The problem is that the crossover pipe that takes coolant
across from one side to the other is the highest point in the engine,
and without some extreme gyrations, will trap half a pint of air when
the coolant is refilled. On starting, the air flows to sit at a point
in the head which overheats and the gasket fails.

The solution is correct filling procedure, or better, tap a small tube
into the top of the crossover pipe to return the air to the radiator
during bleeding. The filling procedure has been described here recently,
I guess Google groups can find it.

Clifford Heath.

Tired or not, you gave me some golden info there, Clifford. Thanks!

Mike

 

[Clifford Heath]

Tired or not, you gave me some golden info there, Clifford. Thanks!

You're welcome. I found Edward Hayes' message about refilling
the coolant: <http://tinyurl.com/8da7b> or

<http://groups.google.com/group/alt....coolant+refill&rnum=3&hl=en#fdf6e9e3133c4f46>.

Clifford Heath.

 

[Frank]

Trying to remember. I changed on my '98 Forester and seem to recall a
bleeder screw on engine. This head gasket thing makes me think I
should have done in shop.
Frank