DON'T Run Your Subaru Low On Oil - EJ253 Short Block Tear Down

Please Like, Comment, and Share. Be sure to subscribe for future videos. Don't forget to hit the bell icon for notifications. KZbin has changed what they show subscribers!
Subaru Specialty Tools - www.amazon.com...
Subaru OEM Parts - www.amazon.com...
Must Have Tools - www.amazon.com...
StoreFront - www.amazon.com...
If you like the vids and want to help make more: paypal.me/MrSubaru1387
----I assume no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. I recommend safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond my control, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not myself.----

[@JC-cm9bn]

Subaru EA81 engines may not have been the most powerful, but were by far the most reliable and longest lasting!

[@scottyetter5661]

Just recently bought my first Subaru now looking to purchase another one with blown head gaskets just because I wanna tear into one for knowledge since I started watching your videos it makes me to not want to turn Subarus away. Always where into the big three until now

[@eggpod4567]

This is literally one of the best car videos on KZbin. I've been binge watching your videos literally everyday for a minute now. On my breaks at work, when i get home and I'm chilling, etc. I hope you're doing well, brother!

[@beckers1330]

Stick 2 broom handles through the piston pin holes then turn the crank. Easiest way to split the case halves.

[@jeffreygoss8109]

beckers1330 excellent idea. Do you put them through the rods or not?

[@christopherbeddoe406]

I used to love Subaru's but my 2015 Forester changed my mind. So many problems, quality and reliability issues, class action lawsuits and recalls. I feel Like Subaru's Quality has gone severely downhill since about 2007. Videos demonstrating major repairs are going to be more and more popular. ;-) Thank you from those of us who are trying to keep these things on the road.

[@fjb4750]

FINISHED A 2006 WRX TODAY. IT'S RUNNING GOOD. GREAT VIDEO NEVER SEEN A SUBARU MOTOR SPLIT

[@ChasePhilport]

200 Likes and zero dislikes. Exactly how I feel about this vid. Definitely considering saving up a few hundred bucks and buying a beat-up subaru with an EJ i can just take apart and not have to worry about dailying. Just hard to find space for it! Would love to swap but i think a cheap car I don't need to worry about is a good way to start off.

[@courtneyblackwell9211]

Since I have an short block tear down in teh immediate future, this was a good guide and refresher......thanks

[@KDD8]

the one dislike is an evo owner

[@thesniperofcs]

Wasn't a short video but i really enjoyed every moment, waiting for a full assembly video 👍🏻

[@shuba097]

"about 100% sure this one is going to be trashed" lol I love it

[@charger19691]

Excellent video, I've been waiting to see this teardown. Thanks Mr. Subaru!

[@Jason_Laster]

That would be #1...same noise i heard on mine in cylinder 4...never forget those sounds hahaha Edit: guess i missed the notification on peanut butter milkshakes...gotta check that out 😆

[@justinak3051]

The boxer engine is so beautiful

[@Sam-rf8yh]

Hi Robert. I was wondering if there is a big difference between the tear down and reassembly of the EJ253 versus the EJ251. I’m considering overhauling my 2003 Forester 2.5X and have been studying your videos. Thanks in advance.

[@Ridstar_Q20]

Not being a troll, but asking because I do not know boxer engines. The positive I have heard is the fact the weight sits low in a vehicle. The negative being head gasket problems and they don't last as long. So what is the desire for this engine since I have heard more negative than positive. Side note, watching the video I loved the simplicity.

[@MrSubaru1387]

Well, you're information on the negative, is incorrect. They don't inherently have head gasket issues. Subaru only had one engine with head gasket issues, the n/a EJ25 series of engines. This covered the EJ25D, EJ251, EJ252, & EJ253. The issue was from a bad/new coated HG design. Subaru rectified the issue by replacing that gasket with there MLS HG from the turbocharged EJ25 series engine. Subarus EA81, EA82, ER27, EJ15, EJ16, EJ18, EJ205, EJ207, EJ22E, EJ222, EJ255, EJ257, EZ30D, EG33, EZ36D engines never had head gasket issues, the problem was blown way out of proportion. That said, lots of Subarus in the late 90s and 00s had a variant of the N/A EJ25 series engine, which is why the stories spread so.

[@Ridstar_Q20]

@@MrSubaru1387 Thank you for answering. The way I have always heard it, and of course negative info travels like wildfire, it sounded as though the design itself caused a problem. So what is it you like about boxers? I ask because I have always liked the Subaru vehicles, but inevitably it always came back to the head gasket and the engine wearing out quicker.

[@MrSubaru1387]

@@Ridstar_Q20 they're far easier to work on than other vehicles, surprisingly. Cheap parts, and reliable when properly maintained.

[@Ridstar_Q20]

@@MrSubaru1387 thank you.

[@tjdino6852]

You should have seen my EJ253 after driving 5 years with an oil burn issue. All 4 pistons had chucks missing. Still ran and only burned a quart of oil every 300 miles

[@nikrbawker]

Nice to see something interesting tore apart with a good camera.

[@acela30th]

My engine...I wish changing the oil, antifreeze and keeping a clean battery terminal will avoid a blown head gasket but it sounds inevitable with the EJ253 😪

[@ejmagras]

thanks for the video. I always wondered if I can do this. Thanks for giving me the confidence to do this job.

[@reddeadryan78]

*Uncle Ed's oil shop kid employee:* "you know you can go like 10k miles before an oil change right?" *Me:* you realize this is a 2005 WRX with 140k miles right?"

[@johnclark6190]

Another very informative video. Glad to see in later videos, you have tamed Autofocus. LOL.

[@item6931]

Stay safe bro. That hurricane looks nasty.

[@JenniLudes]

Really enjoyed this...as I do all your vids.

[@cajunaggie9815]

Thank you very much. I'll feel so much more comfortable doing this to mine tomorrow. I actually have two blocks that I plan on tearing down to find the best one for my next build. What's your preferred method of guaging the rod bearings? p.s... Best of luck with with Dorian rain. Hopefully it stays offshore for the most part.

[@davidlee50]

Um, do you take Car donations? I would not mind mine being on your show. I just want it back afterwards.

[@richardmiller3808]

That's hilarious! I'm sure there would be a nice bill along with the return of your car LOL, but I think it would be wise to pay. At least you know it got done right.

[@brianf8621]

Thanks for demystifying Subaru engines. How do you verify main bearing clearance?

[@6612770]

Respect!

[@jsmith7338]

Informative video! Thank you MrSubaru. At about 30:10 and 40:30, you mentioned that you probably would not be rebuilding the cases or crankshaft. Would you please share why? I'm thinking I might gain some more insight to Subaru repair from someone that is aware of more contingencies than I am. Thanks again, JS

[@regkarn1]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@walterhoward2462]

This is a great video.

[@amlafrance1918]

Hello, have a EJ 253 in my 2011 Outback and have a EJ253 in my Moms 2010 Outback. Was wondering your opinion on what brand of oil you like? I believe both take 5W - 30. The dealer has always changed the oil and wanted to start doing them myself since both cars now have over 100k and I don’t trust people lol. Will look at your video again on getting the black filters. Thanks enjoy your channel

[@amlafrance1918]

Just found the video where you cover this topic ! Should have searched more thoroughly before asking 😊. Did wonder if you buy the Subaru oil at the dealer, or do you have another place you would trust ? Don’t want any counterfeit oil either lol 😂

[@cennsa140driver]

You can crack the block in the front by the oil gallery plug by hitting on it with a hammer.....ask me how I know.

[@jsmith7338]

How do you know?

[@seshachary5580]

very nice thank you

[@nancyoffenhiser4916]

Dorian's hot on your tail Mr. Subaru!

[@MrSubaru1387]

Unfortunately. Florence flooded my Outback last year. Hopefully we eek this one out as well.

[@radarrx65v1]

hello I wondered if I could get an opinion from. you? I have 20 over block with all parts to put together. 06 sohc. question when I bought the engine there are groves In the supports at the bottom of the cylinders like a 1/4 in front and back an a 1/8 deep. all a guess. from his tool I believe. do you think it would bother anything? i have mixed answers. some say do it some say don't. any help would be appreciated. thank you. Randy

[@kevingallineauii9353]

Thx for the video.

[@MrSubaru1387]

You're welcome.

[@MrPenby]

I know this is unrelated to the video above but I have 00 outback wagon that vibrates at idle in drive but when put into neutral or park, it's perfectly quiet. Just had passenger side CV axle replaced. Slight chirping on acceleration, don't know if it's related. Any help/ advice/ direction would be greatly appreciated! Love the diy videos! Helps me save money!

[@lucianodiaz6197]

Really enjoyed the tear down. Thanks.

[@jeffreygoss8109]

Obviously #1 spun but isn’t it closest to the oil pump so shouldn’t it be the last to get starved of oil? Theoretically anyway.

[@toothpicdinosaur3777]

Looks like a pita to put back together.

[@bierbrauer11]

Tore up from the floor up!

[@LeavEyeDDrum]

Give a price on a full ej253 build. Straight up everything new? let me know I’ll pay for it!

[@Chloepet]

Lo l@ AVE reference NFG :D good to see like-minded channels

[@JonathanLopez-zm1rv]

What particular Subaru is this engine from and what year

[@MrSubaru1387]

2004 Outback, EJ253.

[@crankshaft007]

That was cool

[@rebel.mma.youtube]

Have you ever replaced valve guides? Any advice to do this correctly? Thanks

[@last12dive32]

Qq, off subject. Have you ever seen a 2012 Forester with a shattered intake spring. And at 39k miles. We had a spring failure, it blew a hole through the driver side valve cover. The spring shattered, took out a rocker arm and the valve miraculously bent in the closed position vs falling into the engine.

[@MrSubaru1387]

There's a valve spring recall out right now on some FA engines. Not sure if the FB is under recall as well.

[@last12dive32]

@@MrSubaru1387 should I contact subaru with the vin number to see if that applies to my Forester. Thank you for the insight my repair shop said they've never seen a spring fail and not ruin the entire engine

[@dollymoon6261]

My subaru legacy is making a tapping noise from the left hand side of motor, it sounds louder in the car than under the bonnet. Mechanic listened with stethiscope but couldnt comfirm noise any ideas to confirm noise cause?

[@kaboom06]

Does all ej25 short block interchangeable? I have a 2002 subaru forester L just wondering from what year and model subaru has the same short block for my 02 forester. Thanks

[@JonathanLopez-zm1rv]

So that engine is the same as in the forester and legacy of that particular time period

[@MrSubaru1387]

Yes

[@sirkdopsah1081]

Man. I'd be afraid of stripping those head bolts. Jeeze.

[@ravis9198]

How low on oil do you suspect this engine got and how long do you suspect this engine ran on oil to get this kind of damage?

[@MrSubaru1387]

Essentially empty. They knocked a hole in the oil pan on the highway.

[@tannerstofiel7068]

Damn those bearings looked like mine lol

[@monticella]

That's my 05 Forester engine. Good video! Watched it all. Snap-on will give you a new socket? Screws are tight, must be factory loctite or not? How much torque can there be going into aluminum.

[@brandonnecessary]

Most companies have lifetime warranty's on sockets, ratchets, etc. even cheap harbor freight has lifetime on most of their items

[@monticella]

@@brandonnecessary if you have the receipt and within 90 days lol this is not your father's Sears

[@brandonnecessary]

@@monticella incorrect, they replace broken ratchets and stuff all the time..

[@brandonnecessary]

From their website "Lifetime Warranty on Hand Tools - We guarantee our Hand Tools to be free from defects in material and workmanship for the life of the product. Limitations apply. Harbor Freight Tools will replace any hand tool that fails to properly work during the lifetime of the original purchaser."

[@JonathanLopez-zm1rv]

4 and 3

[@JonathanLopez-zm1rv]

4 and 2

[@thesniperofcs]

30:25 what is that plug for ?

[@tomlantis8016]

Coworkers impreza knocks at start up like no Tomorrow. He ran it low on oil and now it knocks

[@MrSubaru1387]

Sounds like rod bearing failure.

[@tomlantis8016]

@@MrSubaru1387 oh definitely still runs hahaha

[@kevingallineauii9353]

Yeah, if you are going to rev them like a race car they need to be topped off with oil.

[@tomlantis8016]

@@kevingallineauii9353 coworker floors it everywhere. Needs 1-1.5 liters per 1000km. Its slow as hell but still runs 420,000km still going. When its hot out it knocks more and overheats. 0-60 about 18s depending on wind and what u ate for lunch

[@jeffreygoss8109]

Tomlantis 212 hope Yvonne don’t depend on this coworker making to work! Make sure he has comfortable shoes at all times and not your phone number

[@tomlantis8016]

Are you planning on making videos on your 2014 outback?

[@MrSubaru1387]

I made some on it. Sold it in February of this year.

[@tomlantis8016]

@@MrSubaru1387 oh u sold it darn i loved that thing. I got a 2013 outback limited. Trying to do some work on it myself not many DIY videos out there. Took me a while to get the throttle body out to give it a good scrub. End up breaking the silencer on the intake the little white bottle. Love youre videos

[@MrSubaru1387]

@@tomlantis8016 I'll have more 2010-2014 Outback videos out I'm sure.

[@tomlantis8016]

@@MrSubaru1387 hopefully haha. Still enjoy ur videos really interesting and entertaining. Trying to keep my 2013 outback going as long as possible i dont like the new ones. Idk how long it will last since im that guy light turns green pedal is pined to yhe floor.

[@KALI1080]

When did you start using Milwaukee power tools? I thought you had snap on stuff.

[@JS-tb9hu]

I assume he finds Milwaukee better. Would be interested in his reply

[@MrSubaru1387]

Milwaukee Fuel blows Snap-on cordless out of the water.

[@jeffreygoss8109]

I think he used to be a snap on distributor, once you lose the discount you change tools. Snap on are good but not worth the cost.

[@MrSubaru1387]

@@jeffreygoss8109 I was a Snap-on dealer for 4 years. I still buy Snap-on. It's just their power tools are overpriced and way under powered.

[@jeffreygoss8109]

MrSubaru1387 you’re too good a mechanic to be a snap on salesman. Keep up the good work and I’m sure your talent will pay dividends.

[@802Garage]

Was that a Snap-On socket your cracked?

[@802Garage]

Oh yep. At least they'll warranty it. Still surprising.

[@MrSubaru1387]

Yup. It happens sometimes...

[@802Garage]

Shoulda had HF Icon on hand! 😅

[@MrSubaru1387]

@@802Garage can't get a 12 point ICON socket.

[@802Garage]

Guess we're all screwed and have to use inferior tools. 😂 My 12 points are Kobalt. Haven't abused them much yet.

[@madscientistlife]

Cylinder 1 rod bearing spun.

[@reedadamp]

Just continue to knock it out from the back side.....

[@ogairbender808]

#1

[@robertf4572]

So a “spun” rod is when the bearing is stuck to the crank and no longer adhering to the rod, correct? Also would you typically replace all the bearings when splitting the case? Thanks

[@MrSubaru1387]

Yes or the bearing is worn and spins inside the rod like this one did. Yes. Normally replace all bearings on a rebuild.

[@bubblebreeze1635]

As a Subaru owner I'm so disappointed in myself. I had the worse brain fart ever. When he set the crank on the table, I stared at it for a moment thinking "hmmmm thats interesting how 2 rod journals on the right side are clocked the same and the 2 on the other side are clocked the same when all the LS cranks and new Supra BMW cranks rod journals are clocked for different timing" then I face palmed and had to tell myself thats why its a boxer engine.

[@mikeessary4925]

What is Subaru's recommended oil change interval on the 2014 3.6r is it 5 g with full synthetic or 10 g?

[@MrSubaru1387]

5W-30 conventional. I recommend 5,000 mile intervals. Not sure what Subaru's spec is.

[@mikeessary4925]

@@MrSubaru1387 that's what I thought but I found this 2014 and on the carfax it shows that it was changed around 9500 miles up to 70,000 miles.

[@mikeessary4925]

9500 oil change intervals through out at a Subaru dealership every time.

[@MrSubaru1387]

@@mikeessary4925 way too long to go between changes.

[@underpaidemployee7755]

Do you change it at 5000 miles? Or every 6 months? My dealer say to change oil when you hit 6000 miles. The problem is it take me around a year to hit 6000 miles. I have the 2015 outback with 3.6r engine. I’m new to the Subaru brand. With Toyota I would change every 6 months or 5000 miles. What do you guys think?

[@dustin9035]

Suzie asked Shirley what that red light means on the dash. Shirley said IDK, I thought it was mood lighting for our trip to pound town. They only made it t Destination fucked.

[@kheff46]

1

[@peterboissiere9684]

Impact gun is faster

[@MrSubaru1387]

On?

[@TowerHill102]

It’s pronounced “earl”

[@MrSubaru1387]

What is?

[@TowerHill102]

DON’T Run your Subaru low on “earl”. Otherwise, video is perfect.

[@MrSubaru1387]

@@TowerHill102 why would you say earl?

[@Coptergirljs]

#1