Replacing Subaru 2.5l sohc head gaskets and resurfacing the cylinder heads at home

In this video I will replace the head gaskets on this Subaru non-turbo 2.5l engine. This engine came out of a 2013 Subaru Legacy 2.5i which had around 160,000 miles on it. You can watch how I removed the engine using this link - • Fixing head gasket on ... . This is a long video and it was difficult to go into every detail without prolonging the video even more. I tried to do my best to cover all of the steps during this job.
Resurfacing the cylinder heads before putting everything back together is the key to having the new head gaskets last a long time. The best thing is to take them to a machine shop but resurfacing them at home using the method that I show later in the video can also be effective. In addition to the head gaskets there are several more gaskets and seals that I will be replacing during this job. Finally I will install a new aisin timing belt kit.
Here is a list of all the parts that I replaced -
MLS Head gasket (2x) - 11044AA770
Cylinder head bolts (black - 12x) - can't find part number for these new bolts
Exhaust manifold gasket (2x) - 44022AA020
Intake manifold gasket (2x) - 14035AA540
Valve cover gasket (2x) - 13294AA070
Spark plug seals (4x) - 10966AA030
Crankshaft pulley bolt - 12369AA011
Subaru Coolant (need 1.5 gallons) - SOA868V9270
Rear main seal - 806786040
Spark Plug (4x) - NGK 3764
Coolant Crossover pipe o-rings - felpro 36024
Timing belt kit - Aisin TKF006
Tightening torque values -
Intake manifold bolts - 25 N·m (2.5 kgf-m, 18.4 ft-lb)
Timing belt cover - 5 N·m (0.5 kgf-m, 3.7 ft-lb)
Timing belt idlers - 39 N·m (4.0 kgf-m, 28.8 ft-lb)
Timing belt tensioner - 39 N·m (4.0 kgf-m, 28.8 ft-lb)
Timing belt tensioner bracket - 24.5 N·m (2.5 kgf-m, 18.1 ft-lb)
Valve cover bolts - 6.4 N·m (0.7 kgf-m, 4.7 ft-lb)
Coolant crossover pipe bolts - 6.4 N·m (0.7 kgf-m, 4.7 ft-lb)
Water pump bolts - 12 N·m (1.2 kgf-m, 8.9 ft-lb)
Thermostat cover bolts - 12 N·m (1.2 kgf-m, 8.9 ft-lb)
AC compressor bolts - 26.5 Nm (2.70 kgf-m, 19.5 ft-lb)
Exhaust manifold to cylinder head - 30 N·m (3.1 kgf-m, 22.1 ft-lb)
Engine to Transmission bolts - 50 N·m (5.1 kgf-m, 36.9 ft-lb)
www.happywrenching.com
Music in this video -
Wanted by Purrple Cat | purrplecat.com/Music promoted by www.chosic.com/free-music/all... Commons CC BY-SA 3.0creativecommons.org/licenses/...

[@Mhjkbbn]

I've never seen a repair video with such a soothing BGM and calming voice.

[@dleivam]

wow.. amazing. I couldn't do that in million years. I would surely scratch my head trying to figure it out what was connected to what, then I would start the engine and it would definitely explode

[@treaves2175]

Absolutely amazing video. Thank you so much.

[@twintarbos]

This is the most pleasant major car repair video I've ever seen, so relaxing and educational at the same time, I'm going to be pulling the ej25 from my old forester as soon as it cools down a bit where I live, this is pretty helpful

[@user-eo6cg9qb1q]

Great video. Wished I'd seen it before I bought my 2018 Subaru. Going to trade it soon and buy a chevy.

[@landshass2849]

Thank you sir for the video. How many hours the book calls for this job? I'm not sure if you answered this question during the video, but I had to fast forward.

[@happywrenching]

Book calls for 8 hours but I think that's a little aggressive. I would say 12 - 14 hours is more realistic for the average DIYer. That includes taking out the engine.

[@mroliverridley]

Amazing video. You got me through the head gasket replacement. Now, the bottom rad hose is staying cold, and the car isn't blowing any heat... Any tips? Maybe water pump or faulty thermostat? I didn't replace the water pump when I did the gaskets.

[@happywrenching]

Possible a bad thermostat but most likely trapped air in the system.

[@mroliverridley]

@@happywrenching Thanks, after a short panic, I jacked up the front end, squeezed all the hoses, ran it at 3k rpm for a minute or 2, and was able to get the air out. Car is running great now, thanks again for the fantastic video!

[@vinci.visuals]

How heavy of a weight did you use for surfacing the block?

[@happywrenching]

That was just a 10 pound weight. I think a 25 pound will work really well and not move around as much. No issues with head gasket after 4k miles so far!

[@CaptainJMorgan1635]

Could you have the cams 180° out ? My first subaru engine and I'm really struggling

[@happywrenching]

So the cam pulleys have keys and can only be installed one way on the cams. Then its just a matter of lining up the timing marks on the cam pulley with the timing belt. If you are really stuck i suggest buying a 3 day subscription to Subaru’s online service manual. Has everything step by step.

[@CaptainJMorgan1635]

Thats the crazy part. I followed everything exactly and still having issues. Thanks I'll try the subaru service information

[@rdiaz2333]

How do you get the pistons to be half way down my number one piston is up and want to install the heads? Thank you

[@happywrenching]

Install crankshaft pulley, crankshaft bolt, and rotate the crankshaft by hand (using a ratchet or wrench) until the pistons are at half way point.

[@rdiaz2333]

@@happywrenching thank you.

[@HaqueZakaria]

how much would a job like this cost?

[@johnberenyi2501]

You have the wrong engine removal link. that one is for a Toyota!

[@happywrenching]

Oh snap, good catch! Gonna fix that

[@johnberenyi2501]

@@happywrenching the sooner the better, I have pull the engine this week. Thanks

[@Doug_Hefernen]

This made me not want to buy a Subaru.