98 Outback engine replacement

[RKent]

I have the dreaded head gasket leak in my 2.5. Since it has 135000 miles on it,

my local garage will not touch the job and I do not have the time. Since the 2.5s have the problem, I thought about replacing it with a used SOHC. Then I heard that the SOHCs have problems as well and that it isn't a straight swap anyway. Is there a newer engine that does not leak and that will fit in my 98?

I hate to give the car to the junk yard.

 

Thanks,

[Commuter]

Call CCR Inc. They can provide you with a rebuilt 2.5L, or 2.2L engine with a 3 year warranty.

 

Commuter

[idosubaru]

best bet is find someone to replace the head gasket. get a new gasket from subaru, they have remedy the issues of the originals.

 

the newer engines/models have the upgraded head gasket in them and they will work in your vehicle....you will have to verify years, but i believe at least some of the 2000 year models (and up) have the upgraded gaskets.

 

money is better spent on your motor, new gaskets, timing belt, and pulleys.

[Roamer]

I have the dreaded head gasket leak in my 2.5. Since it has 135000 miles on it,

my local garage will not touch the job and I do not have the time. Since the 2.5s have the problem, I thought about replacing it with a used SOHC. Then I heard that the SOHCs have problems as well and that it isn't a straight swap anyway. Is there a newer engine that does not leak and that will fit in my 98?

I hate to give the car to the junk yard.

 

Thanks,

 

If you know that it is definitely the heads just have them replaced, find a shop willing to touch it. Not worth risking a junkyard engine and at the sametime not worth the $$$ of a rebuilt engine. But definitely dont junk the car on the count of bad heads. With 135k your car has plenty of life left in it and investment in replacing the heads is well worth it, should not cost more than $1200, and that is on the high end side IMO.

[lmdew]

Get a motor from CCR and you problem is FIXED!

 

A 95 2.2 will fit if you want something different.

[NoahDL88]

I'd go with the Deuce Deuce, down just a little on power, but those engines are dang near the most stout engines ever.

 

If CCR builds the 2.5 with the new EJ257 head gaskets, that engine would be just fine too.

[rweddy]

I have the dreaded head gasket leak in my 2.5. Since it has 135000 miles on it,

my local garage will not touch the job and I do not have the time. Since the 2.5s have the problem, I thought about replacing it with a used SOHC. Then I heard that the SOHCs have problems as well and that it isn't a straight swap anyway. Is there a newer engine that does not leak and that will fit in my 98?

I hate to give the car to the junk yard.

 

Thanks,

 

Here are your options as I see it.

 

1. Fix what you have, Subaru has updated the hg so you should be able to get this done by a good shop and like was stated on another post this should cost no more than $1200 to fix.

 

2. Replace with the newer SOHC 2.5 from 00 up, but these two have HG issues, my father in laws 03 just had to have his replaced at 45,000.

 

3. Replace the motor with a 2.2 which besides the 2.2 turbo is considered to be the strongest motor Subaru has made.

 

I agree with what has already been stated on this thread, CCR has great motors, but my opinion I would do option number 1, get the redesigned head gaskets and if you have a good shop do the work you will be good for another 100,000 miles.

 

The 2.5 besides some rouge hg issues is a very solid motor that can go 300k.

[Cougar]

I would go with a CCR rebuilt engine as the others have stated also. You will have a good car with basiclly new engine and a warranty. At least give them a call and see what they have to say, or send them an email. You will have a car that will go another 100k miles plus.

 

If you do get a rebuilt from them I would consider replacing the radiator also at the same time.

[zyewdall]

I have the dreaded head gasket leak in my 2.5. Since it has 135000 miles on it,

my local garage will not touch the job and I do not have the time. Since the 2.5s have the problem, I thought about replacing it with a used SOHC. Then I heard that the SOHCs have problems as well and that it isn't a straight swap anyway. Is there a newer engine that does not leak and that will fit in my 98?

I hate to give the car to the junk yard.

 

Thanks,

 

If you're going to give it to junkyard, I'll save you the trouble.... give it to me instead:grin:

 

Why won't the local garage touch it? It's not that big of a deal, and it would most likely last another 150k with new head gaskets, and the rest of the car is well worth fixing the engine. Or getting a rebuilt engine from CCR. But whatever you do, don't have it crushed up.

[RKent]

Get a motor from CCR and you problem is FIXED!

 

A 95 2.2 will fit if you want something different.

 

Does CCR have a web site? I searched and came up empty.

 

Ray Kent

[outback_97]

Type "CCR Subaru" into google and it's the first link,

 

http://www.ccrengines.com/

 

Steve

[Cougar]

Here's a link for your convenience. But I see I was already beaten on it.

 

 

http://www.ccrengines.com/

[Ranger83]

I replaced my HG at 140K miles, preemptively. It's around $1200.

 

Go to Car Talk and look in the MechanX files for local foreign car repair garages. Folks who work on Subarus are common in the snow belt, but there should be someone to help yall.