Lower OEM gasket at #4 was where mine leaked oil. Aren't felpro MLS gaskets already coated. Would that void the so-called warranty on the gaskets? Permatex copper is good stuff for exhaust joints and manifold gaskets. Felpro says use new headbolts but Subaru mechanics will reuse them at least once if not damaged. I've done the belt leaving the lower two pulleys to last, but leaving the tensioner to last actually looks easier. Good job Kenny.
You helped to remove some fear when you showed the bad design of the motor bekause of the oil return passages relative to the lokation of the head bolts and the fact that this design block, head, and the single layer head gasket therefore kan't kreate a proper seal in the area of the oil return passages, especially with the oil return passages on the bottom konstantly soaking that weak thin koating or laminate(as per other presenters NOT my own experience I am learning more before I open the motor) koupled with the fact that Subaru from approximately 1998 through 2010 Alleged time frame (from other presenters and possibly longer) refused to put the better MLS gaskets in all the EJ motor series despite they did put them in their iconic STI'S AND WRX'S. They went away being cheap asses from the previous klosed deck designs which had a better surface area available to klamp the head and gasket against the block. This kan only be viewed as intentional korruption on Subarus part bekause they klearly had the motor experience as evidenced in previous designs. They DIDN'T GO BACKWARDS WITH THEIR AWD DESIGN. I DON'T rekall any other presenter pointing out this head bolt lokation in the block design fact in their videos or articles that I have watched and read so first as of about 15 minutes earlier SaturdayJanuary 27 2024 approximately 7:15pm cdt Lincoln Nebraska that I saw the chances increase to re-seal and re-use the motor block side(I am still in fear of to expect for the heads given what issues have been shown by different presenters). My fear changed when you stated the internals are okay but aktual made a simple focus on the the block\ head bolt lokation and the inability that this kreates to klamp\ Kompress the oil return passage area of the head and gasket to the block. The fear had been there for lack of knowledge and hands on experience and when different motor builders have said about both the cylinder ovulation at the top and the aktuall movement of the cylinders against the SLG and the head relative to the block that increased the fears for potential internal damage if the bastards kan't make a block korrecktly and then I saw the motor builder\ racers talking about the previous klosed deck blocks Subaru made and seemly ditched bekause they were perhaps more like the expression bullet proof or tanks. Therefore as long as the oil level and pressure didn't drop to low at any time then the aktual internals kould be in good kondition to do a simple home DIY re-seal kit and be good for perhaps another 150k miles.
Well done! I often wondered why these old Subaru engines are prone to leaking oil along the head gasket interface.
Thank you !!
I salute your skill and thanks for Sharing your knowledge…!
Lower OEM gasket at #4 was where mine leaked oil. Aren't felpro MLS gaskets already coated. Would that void the so-called warranty on the gaskets? Permatex copper is good stuff for exhaust joints and manifold gaskets. Felpro says use new headbolts but Subaru mechanics will reuse them at least once if not damaged. I've done the belt leaving the lower two pulleys to last, but leaving the tensioner to last actually looks easier. Good job Kenny.
Kenny, what happens if you do not fix the oil leak, but just continue to add oil? Will the constant oil leak destroy the engine? Please advise...
how much is the cost of the job? i have same problem with my forester
This engine it's starting leaking above the rear main seal. Maybe main cap
Man that engine is low and wide
Air file
You helped to remove some fear when you showed the bad design of the motor bekause of the oil return passages relative to the lokation of the head bolts and the fact that this design block, head, and the single layer head gasket therefore kan't kreate a proper seal in the area of the oil return passages, especially with the oil return passages on the bottom konstantly soaking that weak thin koating or laminate(as per other presenters NOT my own experience I am learning more before I open the motor) koupled with the fact that Subaru from approximately 1998 through 2010 Alleged time frame (from other presenters and possibly longer) refused to put the better MLS gaskets in all the EJ motor series despite they did put them in their iconic STI'S AND WRX'S. They went away being cheap asses from the previous klosed deck designs which had a better surface area available to klamp the head and gasket against the block. This kan only be viewed as intentional korruption on Subarus part bekause they klearly had the motor experience as evidenced in previous designs. They DIDN'T GO BACKWARDS WITH THEIR AWD DESIGN.
I DON'T rekall any other presenter pointing out this head bolt lokation in the block design fact in their videos or articles that I have watched and read so first as of about 15 minutes earlier SaturdayJanuary 27 2024 approximately 7:15pm cdt Lincoln Nebraska that I saw the chances increase to re-seal and re-use the motor block side(I am still in fear of to expect for the heads given what issues have been shown by different presenters). My fear changed when you stated the internals are okay but aktual made a simple focus on the the block\ head bolt lokation and the inability that this kreates to klamp\ Kompress the oil return passage area of the head and gasket to the block. The fear had been there for lack of knowledge and hands on experience and when different motor builders have said about both the cylinder ovulation at the top and the aktuall movement of the cylinders against the SLG and the head relative to the block that increased the fears for potential internal damage if the bastards kan't make a block korrecktly and then I saw the motor builder\ racers talking about the previous klosed deck blocks Subaru made and seemly ditched bekause they were perhaps more like the expression bullet proof or tanks.
Therefore as long as the oil level and pressure didn't drop to low at any time then the aktual internals kould be in good kondition to do a simple home DIY re-seal kit and be good for perhaps another 150k miles.