methusalah Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 So, I could use some advice: I'm seriously looking at picking up a 2004 Imp wagon - 5spd; problem is the timing belt broke. As I recall, it is an interference motor...so rebuild or buy a low mileage used motor. Any problem with a 2.5 that's not the same year? Any adive or assistance would be very much appreciated. Overall the car is in excellent condition w/ new tires and a nice aftermarket sound system...all for $1K. What do y'all think? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
methusalah Posted August 27, 2011 Author Share Posted August 27, 2011 One more thing: I have a 2.0 WRX motor (JDM i think) in my garage - condition unknown other than it came out of an auto car. I have all the bits with it minus the trans... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 (edited) good deal, this should be simple. lots of good news for you. replace the bent valves and go to town, this should be a relatively easy fix. this engine is easy to pull the heads off in the car too, so if you don't mind working in the engine bay for a couple hours don't even bother pulling the engine. i actually have one exactly like it to do as well and i'm not going to pull the engine. use Subaru only on the headgaskets, they are prone to headgasket failure and a few of us have seen aftermarkets fail on this engine only. this engine also requires a Subaru Coolant Conditioner (it's only like $1.57 or something silly from Subaru). be sure to add that. install a new timing belt kit - ebay has kits for $160 or $180 that include all new belt, tensioner, and pulleys. do that and you're good for another 105,000 reliable miles. Not sure if i should mention but a board member, *very* prominent, offers great deals on subaru parts - he quoted a great price of like $211 for all Subaru timing components last week...not sure if it was the same motor or not though. maybe he'll post here. no - you can not just swap it with any EJ25. yours will need to be 2000-2004 EJ25. later models work but i'm not solid in the differences, years, etc. 1999 RS and Forester will work too. same years EJ22's will work as well (1999-2001 or 2002...whenever they quit making them) - plug and play, though you may have to swap cam gears (simple). but, it's unlikely you even need an engine so why bother! Edited August 28, 2011 by grossgary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
methusalah Posted August 28, 2011 Author Share Posted August 28, 2011 Thanks for the info; I will appreciate any additional input including parts supply advice and any good deals...I really want to add this car to my 'stable' of Subarus!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 parts: online prices are about %20 cheaper than your local dealer. subaruparts4you, subarugenuineparts, liberty subaru - you can google all those. my dealer matches those prices, so go in with a list and ask them if they'll match that for you as well. thepartsbin.com and rockauto are excellent aftermarket Subaru parts sources for some things. good prices and if you're on the mailing list or google for a coupon you can usually get an additional %5 off or more and free shipping is easily had as well. *rockauto listings are terrible - if you drill down, they still list the wrong parts for the vehicle, engine, trans you selected - it's really stupid how they do it, but just pay attention and make sure you're getting the right part. they'll show parts for the same model/year even if it's not for the engine you selected. guess that's why they're cheap! i just bought CV boots from them for like $5.40 each for the entire kit - boots, grease, clamps, etc. for gaskets/seals: go Subaru only on the headgaskets and water pump gasket (aftermarkets are weak). everything else get whatever you want. timing kits: get them off ebay valves: Subaru will have them not sure about sourcing them aftermarket. plugs and wires are best kept OEM on this motor as well if you end up replacing those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
methusalah Posted August 28, 2011 Author Share Posted August 28, 2011 How about tools? Anything special for this job? What's the likelihood pistons may be damaged? Thanks for all of your help - I love this forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 piston and cylinder wall damage isn't likely on most (if not all) subarus...but i'm sure anything is possible when things start bending/breaking. Tools: 22mm socket for the crank pulley bolt and everything is metric. 14mm 12 point socket for the head bolts (14mm 6 point won't work). That's about it for special tools - it's really not hard at all - just a bunch of bolts and hoses to remove. a 10mm ratcheting wrench is the key to doing this job in the vehicle, makes it a breeze. go ahead and adjust the valves while everything is apart, it's really easy on this engine anyway, takes just a couple minutes. you'll need the 0.008" and 0.010" feelrs for that i believe (double check first though). remove intake manifold (lots of wires, hoses, connections, etc here), timing components, valve covers, heads, reinstall in reverse order. lots to keep track of and a bit overwhelming the first time but not much to it really, just keep track of everything. some folks use cardboard and bunch the bolts in it to label them, zip ties, color coded tape, labels, etc. i dont' use anything. i just talked to a friend today with a Forester (same engine as yours) whose timing belt broke. he was quoted thousands of dollars to fix/replace engine. he's lucky he knows me so i told him if he gets it to my house i'll fix it. his valves are bent but engine is probably fine...we'll see when i get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
methusalah Posted August 29, 2011 Author Share Posted August 29, 2011 Good news! Looks like I can pick-up the 04 Impreza TS for $750! Now, worst case it needs major work...I looked at it and it seems like a good deal. Car is in good shape overall and one downside is he already pulled the timing belt (broken) and some small bits. Hopefully this will work out ok. Probably will need some valves if the belt broke as he says; I guess even if I sink 2k into it, it will be worth it. Wish me luck and expect to hear a lot from me in the next month or so. Thanks again everyone for your help and support! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92_rugby_subie Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Good luck! That seems like its going to be great! Pics a must! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 that's a very good deal. should be an easy fix. you can slap another belt on and see if it got lucky, might not need anything? usually not the case, but i did it to a friends Nissa Xterra a couple weeks ago and he got lucky - no valve damage. worth a shot to hang a belt and see. don't even bolt it all back together or install the crank pulley or covers - just hang the belt and see if it runs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
methusalah Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 I'm going to pick it up this coming Saturday and will post pix as soon as I can; I'm not sure if I'll bring it home or take it to a friends to work on...we'll see. I can't wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
methusalah Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 Sorry more questions: what performance mods are simple, effective, and fairly inexpensive; I was thinking an aftermarket intake and/or exhaust cat back. I intend to replace the trans, diffs and engine oil with synthetic so any recommendations for that and best coolant for the car. Also, if I have to put in a clutch, what do y'all recommend for parts and what else to replace while I'm working on it and have access? Thanks muchismo!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrach Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Good news! Looks like I can pick-up the 04 Impreza TS for $750! Now, worst case it needs major work...I looked at it and it seems like a good deal. Car is in good shape overall and one downside is he already pulled the timing belt (broken) and some small bits. Hopefully this will work out ok. Probably will need some valves if the belt broke as he says; I guess even if I sink 2k into it, it will be worth it. Wish me luck and expect to hear a lot from me in the next month or so.Thanks again everyone for your help and support! Wow, If this were anywhere close to me, I'd buy it! I'd even consider shipping it to the Seattle area if you decide you don't want it. Anyway, best of luck with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrach Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Sorry more questions: what performance mods are simple, effective, and fairly inexpensive; I was thinking an aftermarket intake and/or exhaust cat back. I intend to replace the trans, diffs and engine oil with synthetic so any recommendations for that and best coolant for the car. Also, if I have to put in a clutch, what do y'all recommend for parts and what else to replace while I'm working on it and have access? Thanks muchismo!!Use the Subaru Extra S gear oil for the 5MT and in the rear diff. I'm personally not fond of synthetic motor oil for the engine; I like to change oil more often than synthetics suggest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olnick Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Use the Subaru Extra S gear oil for the 5MT and in the rear diff. Hey Ed, I thought you liked the Red Line 75W90ns in the tranny? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
methusalah Posted October 12, 2011 Author Share Posted October 12, 2011 Sorry it's been awhile...work, travel, ugh! I'm going to attempt to post the pics, standby... Also, other than the timing belt, tensioner, idler pulley...what else should I replace while I'm working on it? I'm going to try just the timing stuff before I pull the heads and check the valves. If I need to do the valves, can anyone give me the parts list so I don't miss anything? thanks for all the help and support everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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