taylormac1993 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I just took the heads off of my EJ25D out of my 98 Legacy Outback Wagon. I suspected that the head gaskets were the problem, after a major overheat/breakdown on the highway. I took some pictures of the heads, block, and gaskets to get everyone's opinion. I know you can't tell just by looking at it, but trust me, it looks totally fine to me. My next step is to get the heads and block micro'd to make sure they're flush. I don't have a true straight edge or the gauges to slide under it, so I'm just going to have a shop measure them with their tools. Here are the pics: http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg341/scaled.php?server=341&filename=hgpics.jpg&res=landing The top row is the driver's side, bottom row is the passenger's side. First pics are the engine block, where it meets the head. Second pics are the head, where it meets the block. Third pics are the gaskets. How do they look guys? What should I do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylormac1993 Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 More info: The head bolts were in tact and seemed to be torqued correctly. When the heads were removed, coolant spilled out. I think the block is coolant-free because there was no coolant on the dipstick (before we drained any fluids in the car). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Donated broknindarkagain Posted July 19, 2012 I Donated Share Posted July 19, 2012 Since when was there a coolant dipstick? -broknindarkagain My Current Project - Click Here COME AND TAKE IT "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJay03 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Since when was there a coolant dipstick? I was wondering that too. Those pictures are too small also to be able to tell anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Donated broknindarkagain Posted July 19, 2012 I Donated Share Posted July 19, 2012 It must be JDM....yo -broknindarkagain My Current Project - Click Here COME AND TAKE IT "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJay03 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Did you try a new thermostat and radiator cap before tearing into it? If you over heated it a lot though you might of warped something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylormac1993 Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 Wow. Let me try this again. Dipstick = Oil Coolant on dipstick = Coolant in oil I don't want to tear into the block, so I'm relieved that there's no coolant in there. @JJay03 Radiator cap? I have no clue what that is... lol. I was thinking the thermostat was the problem, but it was "just replaced" by the dealer. It's easier to get to with the engine out anyway... lmao. I was absolutely sure that it ws a gasket problem because it guzzled coolant and had tons of bubbles. Also, I thought I saw oil in my coolant reservoir during the overheating. So you don't think that the head gaskets are the problem? Would It be visible if they were? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subikid90 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 You need pictures of the gaskets. When you have blown headgaskets the outside black layer will be missing between coolant passages and oil passages. -Subikid90 1997 Legacy GT 5spd & EJ251 w/EJ25D heads ~10.5CR 1998 Legacy GT Limited waiting for EJ22T hybrid swap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylormac1993 Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJay03 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 The gasket in the first picture looks like it was leaking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Tried to open the pictures, but no joy. - Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylormac1993 Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 I posted those other pics to see if anyone saw something I didn't. I want to make sure I don't slap it all back together just to have to take it apart again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylormac1993 Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 @JJay What are you basing that off of? I don't see it really... @SBT they're hosted on Facebook because my phone uploaded them there the easiest. Might be an issue for some people... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Did you smell coolant? Have you checked to make sure that your heater core isn't leaking, or that the heater hose(s) aren't leaking? - Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJay03 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 See the layer of black missing between the coolant passages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylormac1993 Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 I smelled some kind of burnt coolant I think. Everyone tells me I'm crazy, but I was sure it was coolant burning. No, I didn't check the heater. Nothing was leaking though. There was never any fluid under the car that I saw. I'm not sure which one's the coolant passages are. BTW, these aren't the stock gasket's right? The composite one's that everyone hates? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylormac1993 Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 Every time I smell it, the first thing that pops into me head is "fuel" but it's not distinct enough. It smells kind of like sulfur too, but again, it's not a smell that I can point out right away. There's black residue in the coolant overflow, and when the engine overheated, it started burping and purging the coolant. It even shot out the top of the radiator when I had the cap off and started it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Coolant would be in the car under the carpet if the core were leaking and the HVAC drain was backed up. If the heater hose(s) were leaking, would likely be while you were driving, so they would drip while under way, but might not drip while your parked. Depending on how much fluid you're losing, how quickly, hard to tell, but the heads/gaskets look reasonably good. Someone mentioned a warped head, but again, no coolant in the oil and no oil in the coolant, again, hard to tell and it's impossible to do a leakdown test with it all apart. Hope you find out what's going on. At this point it looks like - Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Donated broknindarkagain Posted July 19, 2012 I Donated Share Posted July 19, 2012 Here is another example of a failed gasket. See how the black coating is chipping away? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:97_-_99_Subaru_Head_Gasket_Failure.jpg -broknindarkagain My Current Project - Click Here COME AND TAKE IT "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Brok - good example. - Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compsurge Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Check your mating surfaces for square, clean the residual gasket material off, and slap it back together? It seems like you had a very small leak. The first gasket could have been leaking a small amount into the combustion chamber, hence the burning coolant smell. If there is anything I've learned over the years, it is that a little bit of oil/coolant/engine fluid makes a lot of smoke/smell. I don't think you're crazy. I had a similar looking gasket on my bro's '05 LGT. The head gasket was suspect and turbo oil seal a higher suspect, but we did them both (probably should have done a leakdown first...). Runs great now and no oil in coolant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Donated broknindarkagain Posted July 19, 2012 I Donated Share Posted July 19, 2012 Brok - good example. Thanks. That was the head gasket from my EJ20R. They are prone to the same failure. -broknindarkagain My Current Project - Click Here COME AND TAKE IT "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylormac1993 Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 If it were leaking a small amount, would it suddenly overheat and impair the vehicle? I'm sure the car overheating triggered some kind of alarm that killed the starter, but would it do that on a highway drive as I mentioned? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecBamf41 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Yea those gaskets are toast. The only place you should be looking is that first half inch around each gasket bore Sent from my Galaxy Tab using TapaTalk 2 BNR18g on 93oct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NINmh Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 If it were leaking a small amount, would it suddenly overheat and impair the vehicle? I'm sure the car overheating triggered some kind of alarm that killed the starter, but would it do that on a highway drive as I mentioned? When you burn coolant, there are 2 key things to look for. The exhaust always comes out white, because its steaming. The second is that it will smell sweet. If you're loosing coolant, and don't see it dripping anywhere under your car when you park in a clean/dry parking spot, then it has to be going somewhere right!? Your pics show some greasyness on your valves. Are you adding a lot of additives? perhaps thats where the fluid is going. If your rings are good, then you won't notice any coolant in the oil, as the leaking coolant is just going straight out the valves, thru the hot exhaust and evaporating it. You should notice an extreme amount of water coming thru the exhause at start-up. Did you do a compression test before you tore apart the engine? Always a first step! What about the timing? You need to verify things are right before you go and tear apart the block. I do agree, that head gasket looks F'd! Take the heads in, get them checked. No point putting them back on if there's a chance they're warped.. Cheers:bbq: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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