EJ22 HGs... to replace or not to replace?

[Fairtax4me]

I need some experienced opinions/advice here.

If you've read any of my previous threads you might recall I'm picking up a 96 Legacy, EJ22, manual trans, that needs a bit of work. My plan is to just yank the engine out and reseal it, and do some other PM while I'm in there (TB, WP, tensioners, clutch etc.).

 

Now I've gotten the idea in my head that I should also pull the heads and get a valve job and new HGs since they'll be easy to get to. It has 166k on it. From searching/reading here at USMB I can't find much that shows the 2.2s ever having major trouble with the head gaskets. Assuming that they aren't already leaking, should I be concerned with replacing the HGs while I have this engine out?

 

I figure it would nearly double the amount I'd have to spend on the project with the cost of the new gaskets and valve stem seals, plus shop labor and machine charges.

 

More than likely I'll have this thing 2 years or so and decide to sell it. That seems to be the norm for my cars, about two years and I'm ready for a change. If it doesn't get wrecked and the engine doesn't totally blow up before then.

 

One other thing, has anybody made the switch to full synthetic oil with this many miles? I'd like to but I'm kind of worried about the seal in the middle of the case leaking. Advice?

[Olnick]

Personally I wouldn't touch the HGs if there's no obvious problem--especially if you might only keep the car a couple of years. Hey, if it ain't broke . . . !

 

Don't know what to tell you about going to synthetic. I love the stuff. Switched my '95 Legacy over at about 85k, it had the original cam and crank seals and I never had a problem. I upgraded the seals 30k later while doing the TB but not because of any leaking problem.

 

Good luck.

[johnceggleston]

how many miles a year, 15k, 30k, or more?

 

i wouldn't touch the hg unless it is blown. depending on the t-belt you use you'll be good for 60 or 100k miles.

[davebugs]

2.2 HG's. I'd leave them alone.

 

One note would be when these do rarely fail typically they create white smoke out the exhaust like most cars. Not like the 2.5 failure's that cause the coolant to be blown out the overflow bottle (95-99) or leak coolant when parked (2000 and up - but I've only worked on HG's as new as 2000).

[idosubaru]

EJ22's do not blow head gaskets. What will cause them to fail is the previous maintenance and condition of the car. If it's ever been overheated or run hot chances of head gasket failure escalate significantly.

 

In general I would never touch EJ18 or EJ22 head gaskets unless there was some very compelling reason too. I don't see that in this case.

[952.2LX]

my 2 cents. Back around 160xxx on my 2.2 i lost a timing belt and it over heated a bit....twice.... Never replaced the HG's. I now have 257xxx miles on her and ...still running good.NO HG's problems. She runs a lot better after i did a nose job on her.

[Fairtax4me]

Well that settles it, I'll save myself the time and money and stick with the original plan. Thanks guys.

 

how many miles a year, 15k, 30k, or more?

Probably not even 10k. I don't drive as much as I used to. This car will mostly see the 3 miles to work and back once or twice a day, and maybe a trip to NC or VA Beach here or there.

[johnceggleston]

Well that settles it, I'll save myself the time and money and stick with the original plan. Thanks guys.

 

 

Probably not even 10k. I don't drive as much as I used to. This car will mostly see the 3 miles to work and back once or twice a day, and maybe a trip to NC or VA Beach here or there.

 

there's no way that engine will fail in the next 20k miles unless you run it without oil. i'd bet the price of the car on it, which is exactly what you are doing.

 

it's a safe bet.