Replacing/fixing a 2.5 Legacy GT Phase I Head Gasket Leak

[jlsirois23]

First let me intro myself. John Sirois from Omak, WA and I have a 98 Legacy GT that has served me quite well. I have some issues with the motor now that it has 127K miles on it. Thank you for letting me post here and I look forward to any suggestions you may have.

I have a couple of questions for you all.
First, in replacing the Head Gasket which came out of nowhere, and could be a fatal problem, I have come to some pricey and tough decisions. I have no idea how bad the damage is: ie, just the head gasket and all is fine (750-1500 bucks depending on where it is done), further damage to the heads/block which could run anywhere to $4K+. In reading a lot of what you all have talked about in this forum is the differences between motors and potential problems. What is a better choice, replace my current engine 2.5 DOHC Phase I with the same model used only to have another incidence like this occur? Repair motor and hope nothing is wrong but the gasket? Look to repair with another more reliable motor like the EJ22? What would you all recommend?

I have a really good friend who will do the mechanic work who has worked on Subarus and imports for years, so he will give me a break on labor if I help turn wrenches, etc.

Thanks again for your consideration!

[THAWA]

do the work yourself and save hundreds. It can be done in a weekend if you have all the parts and dont want to mill the heads. Since it is from the ej25 in the 98 leg those are notorious for bad hg's some go at 60k miles but at anyrate, if it just started then it's mostlikely only the head gasket. those are like 30 a piece, you'd also need new intake and exhaust gaskets like 20 for all, new headbolts 60-70. so you're only looking at about 150 ish in parts. If you haven't done your timing belt or water pump yet add another 60 ish for both and you're up to 270 with just general maintainence. It's not a hard job to do at all. Just drain the coolant, relieve fuel pressure, remove the rad if you want but you dont have to(it's easier if you do and only two bolts to do it) remove the alt/ps and ac belts(two bolts each), remove the crank pulley (easier than it looks), remove the intake manifold and disconnect whatever wires there are, remove the timing belt covers, loosen the cam pulleys with the timing belt still on(easier this way), remove the timing belt (and waterpump if you're doing this at the same time), unbolt the heads(clean and mill if you want), put new gaskets on and torque to specs, the rest if the reverse. Like it said it's pretty easy to do, just takes a lil while, I'd set aside a weekend to do it. But if you're going to just get your friend to do it you shoudl try to help as much as possible, can't hurt to learn more about your car right or just have him looking over your shoulder helping out

[ciper]

I say go over to forums.nasioc.com/forums and ask, probably hundreds of people who have had your exact problem.