msmithmmx

An answer to question #3. If you are seeing that much oil on the cat that quick its not the rear main seal but the oil seperator plate. Regardless you have to remove the flywheel to fix. The part is like 11 bucks, they make it metal now.

I drove 15,000 miles with a bad wheel bearing, it was not pretty. I warped the hub and bent the drive axle. Cost a G to fix.

Here is what I did when I had the engine out 1) Harmonic balancer (50 ebay) 2) AC and Alternator belts (20 pepboys) 3) Rear cam seal (5 dollars) 4) Oil Separator Plate (sure to be leaking, original is plastic) (15 dollars) 5) Rear main seal. (20 dollars) 6) Spark Plugs (10 dollars) 7) PCV Valve ( 8 dollars) 8) Valve cover gaskets (2 of these) and grommets for the bolts (30 dollars) 9) Reseal the oil-pan and replace both gaskets that are internal. (RTV temp sealer 4 bucks, gaskets are 10 bucks) 10) new o-rings for the AC hoses you disconnect 11) new o-rings for the power steering lines you disconnect

And the answer is Ebay. I suggest you use an upgraded Subaru OEM Radio, I know it works as I have done it. I was unable to find your exact radio on Ebay but they always pop up. Just search for "subaru radio" every few days. They should cost around 15 bucks. Upgrade 6 disk with tape http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/02-03-Subaru-Impreza-AM-FM-6-Disc-Cass-Radio-Changer_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38641QQihZ009QQ itemZ190065857698QQrdZ1

And the answer is Ebay. I suggest you use an upgraded Subaru OEM Radio, I know it works as I have done it. I was unable to find your exact radio on Ebay but they always pop up. Just search for "subaru radio" every few days. They should cost around 15 bucks. Upgrade 6 disk with tape http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/02-03-Subaru-Impreza-AM-FM-6-Disc-Cass-Radio-Changer_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38641QQihZ009QQitemZ190065857698QQrdZ1

First, the overflow tank aside for now are you able to locate an external leak? If so you may have good results with the Subaru stop leak coolant conditioner. If not you have an internal leak, to verify this I would take some of your existing antifreeze to an engine shop and have them test for hydro-carbins. This will just confirm what we allready know. If you change the head on one side you should go ahead and do the other since you will have so much from the top of the engine allready off. You might want to check with the dealer, you may be covered under the HG extended warrenty sinve you are under 100K

Cookie, you left off the fact that you probally don't drive those BMW's daily and leave all the work to the Subaru (as you should). Regardless, I can't belive its has been cheaper to maintain those cars. Question for all, When is the last time you have seen an old BMW on the road? When is the last time you have seen an old Subaru on the road?

I would NO WAY pay 2,500 for a 2.2 in a million years. You can get one of Ebay for 400 bucks. If my engine failed @ 72K miles twice I would dump the whole engine. While you are at it CHECK that radiator and or replace it.

TO THE MODERATOR: Can we have a Forum just for complaining and or head gasket issues. Tired of seeing the same thing everyday. From: Wrenchless in PA.

Have you spent much money on repairs over the years on this car. If not you could have this fixed for 1500. In the end you will have an engine that will do another 100K and only have spent 1500. But I do disagree that a busted head gasket is normal wear and tear @ 150K

I replaced mine due to a blown head gasket. I did not have the skills to replace the Head Gasket but I did have the skills to replace the engine. I used a 120 peice tool set from Costco, impact wrench and a borrowed cherry picker. From what I have learned I could probably do a head gasket on a 2.2 if I had to now.:cool:

You need one? I have a 90 2.2 sitting on a engine stand.

Are you serial, its not a straight swap on the JDM transmission

All of this transmission talk is making think about picking up a spare. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUBARU-LEGACY-FORESTER-IMPREZA-TRANSMISSION-4WD-EJ25_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33727QQihZ004QQitemZ140065446234QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Me to, what is that thing, other then orange.

No, My God. Sounds like a bunch of techs may have gotten in over their head with the sub's transmission. What is done is done. Next step, Call corporate and open a problem ticket. Give the shop 3 times to fix it (no more cost to you). If its not to your linking its time for court.

A 2.2 will bolt right up. If you are serious about that conversion I can list everything needed for the swap. ONLY way I would recommend a used 2.5 is if it had less the 60K otherwise you will be in the same position anytime after 125K miles.

Another Sub soap opera "As the engine turns". That engine has over-heated a few times! Are you sure you still want to use it? You might want to start looking for a 2.2 and have that shop swap it. You can grab a JDM of EBAY for a few hundred bucks. You might get lucky and find a wrecked chassis on ebay with engine. I found one there.

Ahhh, The cup holder, make sure it works.

Does the 97 have the 2.2? If so that would be my pick

I can drain the oil and place a new filter on in 8 minutes. I can fill the oil back up in 5 minutes. Not sure how much easier it can get on a Sub. BUT I realy like this idea for an automatic transmission flush.

Its simple, If you buy a subaru with a 2.5 before 2003 and it's at or about 125K miles sock away 1500 for a headgasket repair Its not if it will happen, its when! Put that number in your price.

When I go in to replace it will it spin freely thus causing me problems.

I bought a 2.2 engine (ebay) that I could do a dry run on before I actaully do the timing belt for real on my production 2.2. I noticed a leak on the mock engine behind the pully on the rights side. I then checked my working sub and it has the same leak (real wet). What seal is this and is this common.

I am leaving well enough alone. Its working fine with the 2.5 ECU.