Just had to have head gaskets replaced on my stock '98 2.5RS, @115,000 babied miles (aaahhh, my aching credit card!!!). My mechanic (Subie specialist) said both Subie dealership and machine shop he deals with are getting in a "rash" of these (the 2.5 DOC engines only) within the last few weeks. Said he's never had to do this before. All mileage, young & old. Poss. result of fridgid weather we've been having?. Could be particular problem to the 2.5 DOCs?

Anyone else run into this lately?
Nice people, great site!

Appreciate feedback,
SRB2.5

 

i wouldn't say its happening just recently here. but we had many 2.5's (dohc) come in w/ blown head gaskets. problem is most people drive them a little too long w/o knowing they have blown, and the heads are often warped. this adds a lot of time and money to the job. one of the ej25's major weaknesses is heat. they overheat easily, and warp heads easily. don't know what the causes could be for the 2.5's, but i am sorry to hear about your problems. i have had to tell more than one person they needed a $900-1100 engine rebuild. its not nice!

-PJ

 

Thank you, PJ.
I watched the temp gauge like a hawk, pulled over as soon as it started reaching for the sky, hopefully didn't do too much damage. Mechanic still sent the heads out to check for warp. No matter what, doubt it'll ($$$) be pretty!
Thanks for the reply,
SRB2.5

 

I drive a 99 2.5 RS SOHC... and I live in Canada... so you know the weather is crazy here..

and I think my gaskets are gone.. but I'll need to find out...

How much were your replacements?
I need to save me money for rims...Muwahaha :P

Regardless... I think it is becasue of the weather....

 

Mechanic says it's only the dohc 2.5s (pre-'99) so far, but sounds like yours are gone, too (overheating, cool air from heat vent, oil/gas in coolant?). Sorry, but didn't get the bad new$ from the shop yet, maybe tomorrow or Thurs., so can't give you heads-up on cost. Hear it could be up to $1,000 (or more), if heads are badly warped from overheating.

Best of luck... to us both!
SRB2.5

 

Rather then just put new gaskets in have you looked into having it ringed to reduce the chances of it happening again in the near future?

 

what are you reffering to, having it ringed??

 

Ringed? You referring to a type of O-ring mod on the heads? Please explain.