98 Impreza 2.2L ?

[jazzmandolin]

Is the 2.2L 1998 impreza motor interference or non interference? I was under the impression that all suby engines after 1996 were interference? Then I saw somewhere that only the engines up to 1994 were non interference? I just dont get why any engine was EVER build as interference! Anyway might be able to pick up a 98 impreza non outback wagon tomorrow for 1200.00 OBO and wanted to ask you guys the what for on the engines in this year impreza. Thanks for all your great input. Peace out

[Olnick]

I think you're getting two different "systems" confused. All EJ22 engines through MY '96 are non-interference. After that they became an interference design. Why? Because it allows for slightly more efficient operation.

 

All EJ22s through '94 were OBD-1 compliant. From MY '95 they are OBD-2.

 

Hope that clarifies for you.

[zacyork]

fairly certain its an interference motor, my 99 gc8 is.

[jazzmandolin]

Thanks for the replies, and yes i am getting the systems a little confuses as I do not have it strait which years have which systems this is why I asked. I think I got it now that all 2.2 up to 1996 are non- interference and all 1997 to present are interference! I still does not make sense to me how a little more efficiency is worth the risk of a broken timing belt bending valves! I think all commercially sold engines should be non-interference but thats is just my personal opinion and I respect those who differ! Thanks again for any and all replies.

[johnceggleston]

Is the 2.2L 1998 impreza motor interference or non interference? I was under the impression that all suby engines after 1996 were interference? Then I saw somewhere that only the engines up to 1994 were non interference? I just dont get why any engine was EVER build as interference! Anyway might be able to pick up a 98 impreza non outback wagon tomorrow for 1200.00 OBO and wanted to ask you guys the what for on the engines in this year impreza. Thanks for all your great input. Peace out

 

how many miles??

 

the 98 ej22 is almost the same engine as the 90 - 96 non-interference engine, ALMOST. it is an interference engine and if the t-belt fails you will need a head job, $$$.

 

BUT if you change the t-belt, water pump and all the idlers including the tension idler, as scheduled, you don't have much to worry about. i think the 98 is still on a 60k belt interval. so do the math on the miles. ask the seller, and use your best judgment. if the seller has service receipts for a recent belt change you should be good. but if the shop only did the belt, not the idlers, you could be in for trouble. it is very hard to know unless the bill lists all the parts used.

 

when these engines get over 120k - 150k miles it is not unusual for them to start leaking oil. replacing all front seals, 2 cam shaft, 1 crank shaft, 1 oil pump o-ring, 2 cam cap o-rings, will correct this and is usually done with the timing belt.

 

the only way to be sure is to do the belt your self, or have it done, ~$600 - $800. depending who you use.

 

drive it in tight circles at idle speed. see if it jumps, binds or chirps. this could be torque bind. repairable but it will cost you, $$$. fairly rare in 5 speeds, but it can happen, especially if it was driven with mis-matched tires.

 

i saw the ad, it sounds like a good car, depending on the miles.

[jazzmandolin]

Yes sounds like a great car, 167,000 miles, only mechanical problem is a rough idle??? The price is WAY right unfortunately I am second in line to see the car and am pretty curtain the first will buy it. We will see. Thinking I really may want to wait on a 96 or earlier with working cruise control as I do drives from Va to Ark. regularly and am planing a trip to Cali this next year so cruise would be WAY nice. I just like the idea of a non-interference motor! Wondering about adding cruise? Some cars have the system in place all you have to do is add the switch? Anyway thanks again for the excellent replies. Jay

[idosubaru]

cruise youll need to add all the components, not just a switch. but it is doable and folks parting cars on here sometimes sell the complete set up to add it. simpler to find one with it of course.

 

as to interference, that's the nature of our society. subaru marketing folks deem that a tiny performance increase generates more sales and is worth the risk of a few folks that won't like it.

 

go to any store...products like to use words like "NEW...Innovative..."...NEW NEW NEW, change, companies want to be branded as in line for the next great thing, always on the ball, always keeping up and leading and changing....it's a marketing trick and it works well.

[Olnick]

I just dont get why any engine was EVER build as interference!

 

Although I gave you the "logical" answer earlier, I tend to agree with your feeling. That's why I drive a '95 Legacy with the bulletproof NON-interference EJ22!