General tips and tricks for Subaru head gasket replacement service. Yank the motor? Surface the heads? Answers to these questions and more!
know that Subaru is the official vehicle of Alaska? The Subaru dealership in Anchorage, Alaska sells more Subaru’s than anywhere in the world. Popular for its renown handling in winter driving conditions, we are privileged to service many of these vehicles at our shop. With that comes the most common repairs such as cylinder head gaskets and timing belt replacements.
To watch the SMA Subaru head gasket video click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Xe6pvCk7JM
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My thanks to you. Folks don't realize what talent is….and you have it. When a tough procedure looks easy, you are watching a master at work.
I agree with Tom. Also, a sign of excellence is when gives credit where it is do. Thumbs up.
shot in the dark here asking a question and hoping for a response, but i'm at witts end. I just did a headgasket replacement on an 05 Outback XT (EJ255). after getting everything back together and the engine back in the car, it wont start. it would crank and crank but never actually start or even want to try to start either. At first, I thought it may be timing so I pulled the covers and double checked. all my marks are perfectly lined up. So I ran a compression check. cyl1-75psi; cyl2-50psi, cyl3-55psi, cyl4-40psi (i'm at 6800' elevation so I should see around the 120psi range). after that test, I thought for sure it was a timing issue again. so I removed the timing belt and rotated the crank 360 degrees (all valves closed obviously) and put the belt back on. marks are perfect. still nothing. ran a leakdown test to make sure my rings, valves, and seals weren't the problem. cyl1-99/100,1%; cyl2-92/95-3.2%; cyl3-99/100,1%; cyl4-80/85,5.6%. all those values seem pretty reasonable. I couldn't get a full 100psi on the left side of the engine because I had to fight the pistons from being forced back down. So, i'm at a loss as to what could be causing the low compression. The engine was most certainly put back together properly. I used OEM headgaskets and brand new OEM head bolts torqued properly using my Snap-On digital torque wrench. cams are in their proper position L-Intake, L-Exhaust, etc. all torqued to spec. I even removed the cam sprockets again just to make sure the dowel on the cam wasn't somehow misalligned on the sprocket causing the marks to be right, but the cams to actually be off. cams and gears looked perfect. all vacuum hoses and electrical connectors are on correctly as well — I used my 05 Legacy GT as a reference as well. I tested for, and have, fuel and spark, but the low compression is what is preventing the car from starting. no codes at all — nothing stored or pending per my scan tool. Please help!!!
NOT Torque to yield bolts, but great video!
hey i got a question for you did you remove the cylinder head with the rocker assembly on?
note to self…stay away from Subaru
My 99 Subaru legacy be5 overheats still after my mechanic change the head gasket and it's not leaking, no radiator blockage, i did a burp test (Not sure if i did it right) , heat temp sensor working fine, when i start the car, rev between 2000 – 3000 rpm, it stays half way between Cold and hot, doesn't move there, even when i rev higher to 4-5000 rpm in idle…but when i drive at high speed the temp go up to H and if i turn on the a/c for a good while..Fan work perfectly, could the cooling fan blow the wrong way and not cool the radiator , is that possible to happen..need help
Hey thank your for this video man. Does this work for a 2005 outback the 2.5? thank you!
Sense I have been watching Eric O. I haven't been watching anyone else, except for you, really enjoy your video's. Thank you
hi there in had both my left and right gasket replaced today…I've only been 5km..and its smoking around the engine..would you no why…the mechanic said that he spilt Some oil …would it be that how long should it take to burn of
hi doc i haave 2011 nisssan rogee keep going to safe mode i dont know what wrong any idea you my h
Subaru updated OEM gaskets or six star are the best ones to use.
Hey Tim, I did my first Subaru head gasket job on a 06 Forester 2.5 SOHC. Found out that Victor & Mahle brand gaskets are Subaru's OEM replacement parts. The best head gaskets are multi-layer for Turbo's for more $$$, FelPro, & Beck/Arnley. Why are there two different water pumps one for the automatic & one for the standard transmission? Both look the same, both bolt up the same, & none of them touch the trans.
Great job on your videos, Thanks, learning more & more
I always turn my crank back 45 degrees on everything when installing heads so i can freewheel the cams then lock em.
I noticed on the ones ive done they all overheat real easy. These engines run hot. I dont know if i got them after they were blown real bad but the ones i got all overheated. No coolant flow combustion in the radiator. Block test. I always pulled the engines but this was on the older models. These engines come out quick. What do you think of steel shims if the heads or block are real bad? Ive never used them
At the dealership we always pull the engine and place it on a stand. We can then get a good look at any other areas that need to be resealed. We generally do this as a maintenance item and combine all timing components and water pump into the job. For the customers who want corners cut, we generally send them up to Midas or somewhere else. Reputation is too valuable.
I just did a head gasket on my 03 durango 4.7 4×4
Now I'm concerned, the wife has a Tribeca with the H3 engine, have you seen any issues with them? Good video and info as always Tim.
What kind of light are you using? I've seen you use them in a lot of your videos.
The last Subaru i did head gaskets on had studs. I was stubborn and did it in the car. By the time i completed that job nobody would talk to or come close to me for days after.
The best engine i ever had was a 3.0 lt Mitsubishi in a 95 Caravan. I know that doesn't sound possible but it lasted 364000Kl before it blew a head gasket. It leaked a bit of oil for years but it was great on gas and lots of power. I beat on that thing every day for 12 years but i took care of it.
Horizontally Opposed Engine?
i understand the process of torking the bolts in steps, but what is the reason for backing them off 180 and starting over ?
I had a Subaru once. I don't anymore and I'm happy about that. Nice tips
great video! i want to share that i've had great luck with the Six Star brand MLS head gasket on several subarus and have 349,000 miles on my 2.5i engine. I think that repairing the head gaskets properly, the first time is essential and that people shouldn't run away from these engines. Replace the head gaskets properly with good parts, keep the oil topped off when needed and it's admirable how well and long they will run…