I'm pulling the motor on my '98 2.5RS this weekend. I have a good used 100k mile engine for it and i want to swap head gaskets and do the water pump and timing belt just to ensure reliability. I want to get feedback from someone that has done this job. I will get dealer parts if necessary but if you have had good luck with aftermarket parts I'm all into saving cash. Head gasket: Subaru the only way to go here right? Subaru redesigned the gasket as I recall. Timing belt: Using aftermarket parts or dealer only? Are people commonly replacing idlers and tensioners as well? Valve cover gaskets: dealer only? Water pump: dealer only? Anything else you would do while you had it on the stand? valve stem seals? All advice is welcomed and appreciated! -Chad
Yes, replace the tensioner and idlers. They're alittle expensive at the dealership, I got all 3 on the interwebs for the price of 1 at the dealer.
be careful though with the internet ones, the ones i got were not engineered to the same degree as the subaru ones
Head gaskets are 100x better now from Subaru. There a multilayer metal gasket. I said it before to patrick about aftermarket timing kits. Does the aftermarket idlers, tensioner, and belt have a warranty? If your aftermarket belt snaps and takes out your motor, Is the company gonna cover it? All Dealership parts have a 1yr unlimited miles parts warranty. Meaning if our belt breaks for any reason, we will cover the parts to replace what broke and also what it broke. Also same thing for the water pumps. If the aftermarket one locks up. Is that aftermarket company paying for the possible new motor? Valve covers are another thing. Since there are easy to replace and only bad they can do is leak. Its a 50/50 deal.
replace all the gaskets and seals that you touch. Even do the rear main, front main seals, rear plate cover with new one and new bolts. You might want to even resurface the heads. Do NOT use STi HG as a replacement. Only time I would use that is on '99-04 SOHC EJ25. AND if I was using a phase2 SOHC shortblock with phase1 DOHC heads.
my post in the timing belt sticky. http://mnsubaru.com/forums/showpost.php?p=544676&postcount=3 I've used this setup in a few cars. Great way to save a few bucks on the parts without getting cheap parts.
Yea, I just ordered a PCI timing kit on ebay for 230ish shipped for a WRX. I would never do a timing belt without changing the pullys, I've seen too many of them grenade their berings to trust them.
