blown headgasket

[szucchet]

so as some of u may already know i have a blown headgasket. i have a few questions.

how much should i do to the engine, would it be safe to just replace gasket or do i just need to rebuild the engine (has 105k)?

does anybody know anybody with a trailer big enough for my car? i have access to a truck just not a trailer and i need to get my car down to sac.

[Dean]

So, you confirmed the gasket?

If you have to pull the motor to do the head, at minimum, do both gaskets, timing belt and idlers if you haven't already. You could add water and 11mm oil pump if you want to that.

You could obviously do more to the motor while it is out. Pistons and rings would be the simplest next step (This is where I am with the top list.) all the way to larger valves, injectors, turbo, etc...

Where is it? Why get it to Sac? Do the work yourself? Sorry, my trailer is full of a dead mercury.

[szucchet]

its like 99% sure that is a blown head gasket the car is in incline village at my moms house. i need to get it to sac to the shop i work at. I am planning on doing all the work myself with the exception of any machining.

i decided to just go ahead and rebuild the engine. i don't really know what to expect from till i tear it apart but ill likely need help deciding on parts to and not to replace. ill likely make a motor rebuild thread once i start tear down.

[Dean]

If you have the truck, you can probably rent a trailer for pretty cheap for a day.

[silversuby]

I had good luck with trailer rentals from uhaul. Bummer about all this. Good luck with the build. Just curious but what shop do you work at in sac?

[Blueline Tuning]

Originally Posted by Dean

So, you confirmed the gasket?

If you have to pull the motor to do the head, at minimum, do both gaskets, timing belt and idlers if you haven't already. You could add water and 11mm oil pump if you want to that.

You could obviously do more to the motor while it is out. Pistons and rings would be the simplest next step (This is where I am with the top list.) all the way to larger valves, injectors, turbo, etc...

Where is it? Why get it to Sac? Do the work yourself? Sorry, my trailer is full of a dead mercury.

+1 on the timing belt and seals, if not done recently. You're due for that anyway at 105K+

[szucchet]

Update... Got the car down to sac. I did the block check for the coolant, the I did a compression test and leakdown and it passed. I also pressure tested the cooling system. I found a leaking waterpump. I will b doing the timing belt, waterpump, crank seal and cam seals latter today or tomorrow. If it all goes well I should be at the last auto-x next week..

Is there any tricks, tips or anything I should know about the job? I've done sohc timing belts on legacy but never done the seals or a dohc

[szucchet]

Originally Posted by silversuby

I had good luck with trailer rentals from uhaul. Bummer about all this. Good luck with the build. Just curious but what shop do you work at in sac?

I'm a smog tech in woodland called Presision auto care

[Dean]

Originally Posted by szucchet

Update... Got the car down to sac. I did the block check for the coolant, the I did a compression test and leakdown and it passed. I also pressure tested the cooling system. I found a leaking waterpump. I will b doing the timing belt, waterpump, crank seal and cam seals latter today or tomorrow. If it all goes well I should be at the last auto-x next week..

Is there any tricks, tips or anything I should know about the job? I've done sohc timing belts on legacy but never done the seals or a dohc

Did you check coolant for HydroCarbons? The typical leak is combustion gases into the coolant. Only catastrophic failures have coolant in the oil and such.

A cold block may well pass compression, leakdown and coolant pressure tests and still be bad.

[MPREZIV]

Originally Posted by szucchet

Is there any tricks, tips or anything I should know about the job? I've done sohc timing belts on legacy but never done the seals or a dohc

There are a couple of dirty little tricks. Once you get the covers off, just give me a call and I'll tell you how I go about lining everything up, and removing the cam gears. If I don't answer, I'll get back to you asap. I'll be working on cars this weekend too...

[100_Percent_Juice]

Search YouTube for meaty's timing belt install. He made a really nice 5 part video.

[szucchet]

Originally Posted by Dean

Did you check coolant for HydroCarbons? The typical leak is combustion gases into the coolant. Only catastrophic failures have coolant in the oil and such.

A cold block may well pass compression, leakdown and coolant pressure tests and still be bad.

yes the block test is the coolant test and its not overheating anymore. kinda wierd but the water pump is leaking for sure

[szucchet]

Originally Posted by MPREZIV

There are a couple of dirty little tricks. Once you get the covers off, just give me a call and I'll tell you how I go about lining everything up, and removing the cam gears. If I don't answer, I'll get back to you asap. I'll be working on cars this weekend too...

hey im def going to call you. i havent done it because i was missing the cam seals and havent had time lately due to finally graduating from school but i have time now. i think im doing wheel bearing this weekend anf the timming belt weekend after that. thanks cory!!!

[cody]

Originally Posted by szucchet

graduating from school

Congrats, Dude!

[szucchet]

so car started acting up again block tested it this morning and failed . I'm moving to Atlanta in 3 weeks and i really need to fix the car. so my real problem is I'm short on funds (have about 2k saved for this) and at the job I'm have right now there is a strict no working on your own car policy. id like to see if anybody could help me out by maybe renting me a spot to do it and maybe giving me a hand.
Ive never done a head gasket on a Subaru but I'm pretty good tech (have lots of tools as well).

I also need to buy parts I kinda figure i would need a complete engine gasket kit (oil pan, valve covers are leaking), oil pump and either studs or bolts?

I did a timing belt, water pump, pulleys, cam seals and crank seals about 4 moths ago so i don't think I'll need those.

thanks,
silvio

[knucklesplitter]

Originally Posted by szucchet

I also need to buy parts I kinda figure i would need a complete engine gasket kit (oil pan, valve covers are leaking), oil pump and either studs or bolts?

I did a timing belt, water pump, pulleys, cam seals and crank seals about 4 months ago so i don't think I'll need those.

thanks,
silvio

You are better off buying the individual gaskets you need rather than a whole engine set. I wouldn't consider using anything other than Subaru OE head gaskets.

Check the heads and block for warpage ( < .0014") and the heads for cracks. Be careful cleaning the deck surfaces - no motorized scotchbrite pads, etc. You can remove enough material to jeopardize the gasket seal if you overdo it.