Thank you for reply & all your help.

I will follow your recommendations.

FYI: I went to the Dealer & spoke to the Mechanic that is doing the head gaskets replacement, & he said that if supply the MLS head gaskets, he will install them. It cost me a case of beer, but well worth it.

Best,

Jack O’Donnell

1. What other parts, seals and/or gaskets should I have replaced while the engine is out of the car? Which seals and/or gaskets are easy to get to (not a lot of added labor) while the engine is out of the car?

2. Should I replace the head bolts? Some dealers will some wont

3. Should I have the oil pump resealed and the rear separator plate or “inspection cover” replaced, with an Oil Pump Reseal Kit and/or Separator Plate Kit? The sep plate will be metal so now, We usually suggest resealing the oil pump.

4. Should I replace the Cam Seals & Cam Plug Kit? If they show signs of leaking, or any residue at all

5. Should I replace the Valve Stem Seals & Valve Stem Seal Kit? Not typically

6. Should I replace the Coolant Cross Over O-rings? If they are leaking

7. Should I replace the Timing Belt Tensioner? YES

8. Should I replace the Timing Belt Idlers (1 geared Timing belt idler, and/or the 2 smooth Timing belt idlers? YES

9. Should I replace the Timing Belt guides? You dont have them

10. Should I replace the front and/or rear Main seals?

The dealer will decide what should be done and should not be, based on a combination of factors, some on a visual inspection some based on not wanting any down time waiting for a machine shop to replace the Valve stem seals and most Dealer techs aren’t capable of this them selves.

I am going to leave you with this.

I know your wife is the boss, but here is a link to why your about to waste your money!! If you read the comments to the post where all of the Dealer repaired cars last a year or 2 why set your self up for that?

http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-repair/

Hope that helps

Justin

You have a great Blog, lots of great info & recommendations…

I can not thank you enough for your informative website that helped me recently with my 2002 Subaru Legacy Wagon L.

I have a 2002 Subaru Legacy Wagon with 2.5L (engine) with 104k miles on it. I had the timing belt, water pump, and all the belts replaced (along with a new coolant) 6 months ago. One year ago I replaced the valve cover gaskets & seals, because I fond oil on the spark plugs, when I doing a spark plugs change. The car is in very condition, except for the head gasket.

Earlier this week, I was doing an oil change (myself) & I noticed oil leaking from the bottom of the driver’s side head gasket… I thought that the head gasket would probably need to be replaced. So I googled/searched “Subaru head gasket leak”, & up came your Blog” Subaru head gasket problems explained”, I spent a couple hours reading many of your recommendations & answers (great info). Then I called “Subaru of America” (as your Blog had suggested) & SOA agreed to pay 50% of the head gasket replacement (repair) if I have the work done at the Subaru Dealer.

I would prefer to have MLS head gaskets installed, but unfortunately the Dealer said that they can only use the “Subaru improved composite head gaskets”. It’s my wife’s car & she wants to get the car repaired at the Subaru Dealer, for half price (she the boss).

These are questions that I hope you can answer:

1. What other parts, seals and/or gaskets should I have replaced while the engine is out of the car? Which seals and/or gaskets are easy to get to (not a lot of added labor) while the engine is out of the car?

2. Should I replace the head bolts?

3. Should I have the oil pump resealed and the rear separator plate or “inspection cover” replaced, with an Oil Pump Reseal Kit and/or Separator Plate Kit?

4. Should I replace the Cam Seals & Cam Plug Kit?

5. Should I replace the Valve Stem Seals & Valve Stem Seal Kit?

6. Should I replace the Coolant Cross Over O-rings?

7. Should I replace the Timing Belt Tensioner?

8. Should I replace the Timing Belt Idlers (1 geared Timing belt idler, and/or the 2 smooth Timing belt idlers?

9. Should I replace the Timing Belt guides?

10. Should I replace the front and/or rear Main seals?

Thank you for all your help,

Best,

Jack O’Donnell

2.2l have less HG issues, but we still replace them as well as perform valve jobs.

Putting a 2.2l in place of a 2.5l is really a bad idea, its just better to fix whats there and move on.

Most of the ones we have seen have left a lot to be desired I am afraid, I sincerely home that’s not the case with yours.

Justin

Two like Baja’s can have completely different service aspects, its all about the uses and maintenance aspects. Its hard to say where this one falls into. We see cars at 60k with leaks and cars over 200k with none.

You should have it inspected by a Subaru guy local to you and go from there.

Justin

Justin

The 2011 Subaru Impreza has the same gasket in it as a 2003 Subaru Impreza, it it develops a leak it should be over 100k and a oil leak as long as its maintained properly that is.

Justin

I know now that I have made a poor decision by purchasing this vehicle. So here are my related questions. I have a 1998 legacy GT limited that has had the original 2.5 engine replaced with an EJ22 engine. The seller (who claimed to be a subaru machanic) claimed the engine came from a subaru impreza, but the dealer looked at the part number on the coil pack and has said that part number is from a legacy. So, I really do not know where this engine came from and the seller is no longer answering my emails. My question is how do I know what parts to order for this engine? Is there something (a mark or serial number) on the engine itself that tells me if it came from an Impreza or from a legacy and what year the engine is, so I know how to order a replacement part? Or, does that really make any difference for an EJ22? Second question is are there problems with head gaskets on EJ22 engines? Thanks for any guidance in advance.

Terry

I previously owned a used 2005 Legacy GT, and the turbo went out twice on me in two years. I am not wanting to relive those expensive memories. Thanks!