2000 subaru outback won't start after replacing engine

[CluelessOutback]

I'll start off by warning that I am not a mechanic, my knowledge is limited, my neighbor is a mechanic(or at least used to be) and offered to do this work for me, so I may not have all the relevant details or answers you need.

 

I have a 2000 subaru outback wagon, had a 2.5 in it. A few months ago it started randomly overheating, I would add coolant to the radiator and it would be fine, my neighbor had looked at it and said it was probably the thermostat. Unfortunately he hadn't had the time to change it for me (and I wasn't going to nag him to do it) beginning of November it did it again, added coolant and then only 2 short weeks later it was out again. At this point neighbor said it was probably a head gasket(I've had the car since 5/2010, it had been replaces once before I got it and again in 8/2010 after I bought it, so no huge suprise there). He started working on it last Friday and found a boat load of other issues, oil where it shouldn't be, lateral play in the camshafts (I think) oil leaking in multiple places. He basically said that it was pending catastrophic failure. He tried to talk me into junking it, but what can I say, I'm attached (and I don't have money to afford something in much better shape). So we started looking for replacement engines. Ended up with a jdm ej20 2.0, it was a complete engine for 750. He needed to use the manifold from the 2.5 but the "new" engine came with everything else (and it was all in much better condition then on my current engine). Today he and his mechanic friend spent the day installing the new engine, we got new plugs and a new radiator. However he called me after trying to start it and said "there's no spark" afterwards he text me and said that there's "spark at the coil" and he think I need new wires, which are the wires from the 2.5, which were working last week. So could it really be as simple as the wires just stopped conducting(?) Working(?) Or is there something bigger going on? I'm just worried I'm gonna spend another 40 on wires and it still not work.

Anyone have any thoughts? I plan on picking up wires on my lunch break tomorrow, at this point I'm not getting my hopes up that my car will ever run again, which will devastate me in many many ways lol.

[matt167]

Did he change the cam/ crank gears from the original 2.5? Most of the EJ20's you find are from 2002-2004 ( EJ203 most common ) models and use different parts in that respect.. They work just fine in the older cars EXCEPT the triggers are different and you need to swap parts..

 

The EJ201 would be the one you would not have had to do that to but they are getting harder to find. Most now list them all togther.

[CluelessOutback]

No idea if he did, but I will certainly ask him tomorrow if he did.

I just looked on the website I got the engine from and it doesn't specify which ej20 it is. http://jdmengineworld.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=409

Thanks for your reply!

[matt167]

EJ20 with EGR generally means it's an EJ203 because the JDM's didn't get EGR when the USA did... So yup, I almost guarentee that he didn't swap those parts. They would cause some signal at the coil but it wouldn't run like that. It gets a LOT of people.

[CluelessOutback]

Thanks, I'm gonna guess you're right. How much of a job is it gonna be to swap them out? What are the chances that the ones from my old engine are shot? I'm having trouble finding any listing in any auto parts stores or anything.

[matt167]

They don't wear out. But if your originals were somehow damaged. The dealer will have them or can order.. Basically no bigger job than a timing belt and cam seals would be to swap them. Same procedure really

[CNY_Dave]

A friend of mine was bit by the pickup difference, I don't think it was a big job to swap.

[montana tom]

Most likely it is the crank gear, but once you are in there remove and check left (driver) side cam gear as well.   Job is basic timing belt R&R , only your not replacing the belt. Once belt is removed carefully slide cogged gear off crankshaft snout, the number of and placement of the (ears) at the rear are the signal points for the crankshaft senser... DON'T BREAK THEM BY PRYING . The rear side of the left cam gear will have magnetic pickup points as well , it must match the original.  Only the originals (or matching ) will work with your cars computer. 

[CluelessOutback]

Just wanted to update that he changed out the cam pully and crank gear and the car is running. The weathers been bad so I haven't really been able to drive it hard enough to notice a difference in pick up but I don't drive long distances anyway.

 

Now I have to have the exhust system fixed, a few months ago my muffler had broken off, I had bought a new one and they were going to install it for me, however when I where messing with it (or whatever they were doing) they said the "y" pipe pretty much just crumbled, so now I've gotta drive with the windows down(and damn is it cold lol).

My question, if it's broken at the y pipe, does that mean I'll need a new catalytic convertor and if so, do I get one meant for the new engine? This whole different engine is making my head spin lol, I'll end up bringing it to a shop for this as my neighbor doesn't have a lift or anything, but depending on cost, I may buy the cat. So that they don't install a ridiculously expensive one,I've found them for about 100.

[matt167]

The Y pipe is bolted to the Cat and the engine. I've never seen one rust out but they are common in junkyards. A dual port Y pipe up to about 2004 will fit. I don't know the exact year they made them go around the oil filter but any before that will work.. You may need a new Cat if the flange on the one you have is bad.