SUBARU Engine Rebuild - EJ20 / EJ25 Teardown How To

This video series will cover every bolt, every screw and every wire, shown in crystal clear HD video clarity, of what is required to remove, tear down, completely rebuild and re-install a Subaru EJ25 2.5 liter engine in a 2009 Subaru Forester. The end result will include a final test drive proving success of the entire process as demonstrated throughout this series.
How to remove engine from 2009 Subaru Forester XT (turbo) EJ25:
• Detailed engine remova...
#Subaru #Forester #Boxer #Subaru #EJ25 #EJ20 #enginerebuild #SubaruSTI #SubaruWRX #SubaruImpreza #SubaruLegacy #turbo #enginefailure #rodknock #ringland #howto #diy #stepbystep #diasassembly #teardown #DOHC #SOHC

[@elevated_experience4813]

Who's here in 2022 rebuilding an ej engine based off this genius of mans videos

[@jacobwillis4937]

Me for a buddy. My first one. This dude is slick for sure.

[@codeddxv23]

Attempting an Ej251 for an 03 Impreza 🙏🏼😂

[@brianskinner4328]

Keep making these subie videos. Removal to teardown to rebuild to install to running

[@behindthebuild9498]

Brian Skinner I agree! I hope he posts the rest of the build.

[@Mike_44]

Hands down, KZbin’s best/most thorough beginning to end videos on removal & disassembly of these motors. Mike’s step by steps explanations are simply amazing! And thank you Carey for taking the time to make/edit them. 👍🏻

[@ronvelner6530]

Ron Velner from Holland This man has wisdom, knowledge and experience, that together makes difficult and complicated things seem simple, unbelievable. Also compliment for the filmer. Big thanks for these videos.

[@merobot.6275]

How’s mike doing these days?? Really appreciate him sharing his knowledge around Subaru motors! Thank you for sharing him with us Carey! 🙌🏼

[@karasmob1775army]

These guys by far have the most in-depth video for tear downs and removals on the ej motors on youtube.

[@camilosk8r]

Hi from Dominican Republic. Mike I really want to thank you for all your videos, thanks to that me and my friends could rebuilt an ej25 from a 2.5RS 2005 and now the car is running really good!!! So THANK YOU SO MUCH MIKE. Bless and long life!!!

[@pyronitro]

One thing i love about Mike is he is 100x Cleaner AFTER the job than i ever would. i hope He and Carey gets some financial love from these videos. Well deserved! Thank You!

[@chrisj197438]

I like your videos. I like that you make them long and detailed instead of it being edited down to like 7 minutes like most people do. Lots of great information thanks!!

[@thomasduff1571]

There's not too many Mechanic's I would want rebuilding my Out backs motor but this guy knows what he's doing I wish he lived around here .

[@TheStevenWhiting]

Not even into cars and I like watching these videos.

[@deanwharepapa8561]

Truly the master of subaru the best tear down and install, I've ever seen Awesome

[@SiCaRiI_DaGgEr]

This series is an absolute gem!!! Many...many thanks and gratitude Mike for sharing his knowledge and Carey for filming!

[@Redstone256]

by far one of the most in depth detail videos for EJ on youtube. Thanks for making the video

[@nathancruz2843]

Another Great Video. His past videos helped me rebuild my wifes 2008 impreza 2.0i engine. Thank you both!

[@zoltanmolnar8583]

If there was a twelve hour long Clint Eastwood movie, these two part series would be in it

[@valqkasdf]

Very good video! Another very important thing to note. Even if you don't rebuild a motor, thou. OEM EJ25 Turbo Oil Pickup is a very weak spot. They tend to crack due to bad/weak design and you end up sucking air with the oil. Then you get spun bearing or even worse from not having bearings properly lubricated. This is a well known issue. A good option is to go and change the pickup with aftermarket one - like KillerB or similar locally available - it's much better designed and will save you a second rebuild. Nothing new, but no one mentioned that in the comments, and it's very important to point that out.

[@Legacylout]

Great videos. Planning on rebuilding a EJ25 SOHC in my Forester soon. Still enjoy watching the work done on the other engines. Will get another turbo model one day. Miss my '89 Legacy RS.

[@joecizin9357]

The original and still the Best, don't stop Thanks.

[@g_wizard9866]

This guy is amazing! keep makin em!

[@petertrast]

This dude is a MASTER! So many little tricks around common issues and easy ways to do stuff!! Helped me ALOT! Thanks!

[@terrencemcphail5782]

i sure learned from him

[@DandCentertainment]

Love that guy!

[@BlaqRaq]

I like how you use your tools and how you retrieve the hardware. Great job.

[@striketheiron6374]

Your videos are great. Learn so much for a man that knows what he doing. Thank you for the lessons.

[@cwisfarouk]

Very good video, loved that it was all real-time, included some failures that occur in real life and the work-arounds. I have subscribed, and will watch the assembly video next. Thanks for the video.

[@scottishlyscubaru145]

Thank you so much Mike and Carey, you guys are awesome. Keep doing what you do.

[@scottishlyscubaru145]

If you gentlemen can help. My friend has a 2003 outback ll, bean automatic transmission. The transmission blew up he ordered one but it doesn’t have a neutral safety switch. And it seems a bit longer than the original. We are looking for another one but we were told the one they shipped us can work. Do you have any advice? I mean we are going to try finding another that will be exact fit. Just asking though.

[@gmunoz8595]

I love this dude, wish I could meet him just to shake his hand.

[@GMICHAELG62]

Been watching your other channel for years. Didn't know about this series with Mike. Thanks Carey!

[@sasukekiller420]

This video is priceless to me I take it you put the four videos in one set

[@Oregonian1]

Looking forward to seeing it go back together.

[@mattkramer7851]

I really really love these videos

[@ODMIJ084]

Wow again great video Carey and mike, keep them coming any and all videos with the Subaru guru very enjoyable to watch

[@RRoberson721]

Awesome smacking the head of the wrist pin cover bolt with the extension! I just cut mine with a die grinder and used a flat head. Good to know for next time. So much good information throughout. Thank you

[@Wirenutcream]

Where is the Subaru Guru! We want more Mike the Subaru Guru videos! Anything and everything Subaru! Thanks :)

[@kotakool01]

This is vary helpful I'm rebuilding mine soon.

[@_-Ruki-_]

I don't even have a Subaru and I love these videos.

[@Ariz04]

this guy is the best.

[@alexanderSydneyOz]

Brilliant video. I'm also very impressed that all that was done, and the white shorts are essentially unmarked!

[@alfredojarillo3146]

appreciate the fact that you make learning fun!

[@manuelrivera2575]

I usually put the bolt in the crank, put a big socket on it and use that to lock the camshaft tool. And give my breaker bar a nice snap so it’ll come right off. Never had any issues

[@motomike14]

Really appreciate these resources and tutorials! Thanks

[@addamoliver]

Outstanding video gentlemen! Hope to see many more.

[@aldomassa7473]

Excellence Mke and Carey !! There is hope for my EJ25. Thanks for everything. 😊

[@_-Ruki-_]

More of these videos please, they feed my subie soul

[@pirihern9329]

Tremendous video you know your stuff inside out. Greatly appreciated. The ej257 seems more labor intensive to manufacture than some other types of engines, like a straight 6 or even a dual overhead cam engine.

[@jestronixhanderson9898]

White shorts, only a good mechanic can pull that off. I can work on computers all day, but put me in a garage with a motor and tools and the filth that comes out my mouth will water your eyes ! I get so angry when any bolt gets to drill out level. I have walk away and return another day. I love these vids, as it really makes you appreciate why mechs charge so much. It ain't easy!

[@gkaragenev]

this guy is just amazing!

[@michaldomanski8212]

Thanks for video Corey. Great work Mike. Greetings

[@joshfuentes8788]

This guy is a Subaru Doctor

[@homersimpson9048]

Love your videos Sir,keep up the good work!!!

[@robertoperezrivera5866]

Excelent class very diteling,keep up the good job .

[@serkankilic826]

Love this guy man

[@Obsidian762]

Suddenly I'm glad I have a basic sohc 2.5L. These look like such a pain to work on.

[@TheVickers82]

I had the same experience. I ended up having to cut off the cam .... Then that's when I learnt how to replace valve lifters. 👍🏼

[@TheKingweston89]

Wish I could like these videos twice

[@aronweiss]

What you said @12:30 or so is EXACTLY what happened to me a few years ago! I struggled with that cam gear during a rebuild and then it shattered about 6 months later leading to bent valves and rebuild #2. I have always wondered why that could have happened.

[@christopherhuff3123]

God bless you for making this video. Amazing

[@_-Ruki-_]

HA HA HA AAH A HAA - the 'forget to tell your wife you love her' back and forth was hilarious.

[@JDM_eastcoast]

So informative for newbies like me

[@joshuafino3560]

my 207 has a bearing thats failing. ill have to pull the motor and tear it down myself. Watching this video gives me an extreme amount of comfort and serenity when thinking about the prospect.

[@maximaniac7231]

"I was really pullin' on that." For some reason his expression there made me laugh.

[@45AMT]

Mike is awesome. I really learn a lot!!

[@dankie44]

Keep the engine rebuild videos coming! i have no idea how mike keeps track of the bolts. He just knows the long ones go here and there haha

[@leohughes6921]

"I F***ing hate these engines." Wow, its like watching me when I work on them. That passenger exhaust cam gear bolt strips every single time. I swear.

[@meanodustino9563]

Leo Hughes use a external bolt extractor. A 24mm on that and done.

[@justinb1536]

That's what you have to do for just a bad design if I was an engineer for subaru I would have put a 17 mm or 19 mm or 21mm bolt on that part not a tiny hex bolt it is just as bad as using a torques bit or a 10mm for a drane bolt on a oil pan what do you think is going to happen???!!! sometimes when i work on cars i wonder how did the engineers even get in that position like on the gmc Acadia you cant remove the oil pan with out pulling the motor or dropping the engine 3ft so you can take out a timing cover bolt out that bolts into the oil pan becous the frame/unibody is 3 inches to close for a 6 inch bolt you need to take out to get the oil pan off and the same frame is in the way when you need to remove the oil pan WTF so a job that calls for 3h takes up to 9h to do

[@Gokraut]

awesome video!!!! you can never change your oil TOO early!! so right.... 3k all the way !!!!!

[@jaredlines3177]

Your videos are epic. I love watching you work. It’s like watching bob ross. I’m completely captivated. You got yourself a sub, good sir

[@cakeofthepan2233]

I love/ loved Bob…inspired and thoughtful comment

[@DavidMartinez-zn7yv]

Miss Carey's computer builbs carey and mike have amazing builds makes me want to buy a Subaru

[@exiledfromheaven6557]

Wow a real pro.

[@navamous]

Very helpful video...

[@amcrae1]

Love your stuff. Thank you.

[@amcrae1]

If you create a tip jar, I'd be glad to leave you a few bucks in it!!!

[@weinspachsimon2349]

great video

[@mcleanmartel]

This is a great video. I’m looking forward to see more of what you have. Very detailed and dealing with real world issues! Your camera guy is like Randy from Trailer Park Boys.

[@Seaabb]

Thanks for posting please keep making videos with Mike Bauer!

[@adsensedd]

Two breaker bars and still won't come off. Damn tight alright.

[@stanleysgill]

A little trick for getting stubborn allen cap bolts out, use a short piece of allen, and a 32oz mallet / hammer and give it a couple good taps to spring the bolt. This puts the force on the center of the bolt and stretches the head, just enough to losen it a little to help you break it loose. You don't have to go crazy on the hammer, just a couple good controlled smacks.

[@RipJawsX95]

1:01:10 LMAO love that analogy XD

[@mijikle]

Definitely time to make a video on how to rebuild build the head

[@cryptoisaac]

I love the camshaft, pulley tool and help me remove my harmonic balance, or on my outback

[@robertdavis6708]

Thanks Mike. A great help for my son and myself 's EJ25 engine overhaul. 265,000 mile engine with one timing belt r@r. Maybe time for a valve job and seals , bearings ?

[@Jayeeyee]

10:22 I know EXACTLY the feeling Mike. I had to drill both passenger side cam bolts off.

[@martinda7446]

This guy is wonderful. Really enjoyed watching all the trials and tribulations dealing with one of these brilliant boxers. (They are brilliant..?) Those nuts were tighter than Mike Tyson's shorts (another boxer).

[@dragonzgamesSteveo]

very cool video

[@mrfester42]

So, the moral of the story is change your oil often and hopefully you'll also get laid often... although one has absolutely nothing to do with the other. All kidding aside (we're NOT kidding!), there's no substitute for hands on experience and these are fun videos because Mike makes you realize that, it can be fun and easy. He's gotten all the experience for us. Thanks Mike!

[@carloserenestoperaltasolis1041]

Sir, you are a master! I would like to be your disciple; too bad I don't live in the USA. I have a 98 Outback but with a 2005 engine.

[@robertharperpushforfreedom2314]

Hey i just wanted to give to a tip for getting those cam bolts out. If you strip one the way i was able to remove it was with impact bolt removers. i just hammered on and used a impact lightly until the bolt extractor set its self and stopped moving and then gave it a good shot with the impact and it came off.

[@meanodustino9563]

Robert Harper Push For Freedom DUDE! I watched this and was cringing when he couldn’t do it. “hasn’t he heard of external bolt extractors!” Work for me every time! I just did one for my buddy a week ago. I just have to get the damn extractor off the bolt now lol 😂

[@VenturiLife]

Great tear-down video. I have a lightened aircraft grade alloy Perrin crankshaft pulley fitted, seems to spool up a bit faster, haven't had any issues with it really. Still have the heavy original lying around somewhere. Carey, can you recommend a place to get decent re-man axle shafts (ABS) for a 2006 WRX EJ255?

[@JasmineJDMgirl]

If you have a bolt or stud rounded out you use a carbide masonry drill bit sharpened like a normal drill bit it will cut out any hardened like butter works every time I’ve done many wheel studs an engine bolts an studs been using them for yrs

[@tatti422]

Hero

[@The_Animal_Man]

I love the thumbnail😂

[@alexrodriguez3962]

Hope you guys record the assembly of this one!!!, I don't recall mike doing a full DOHC assembly

[@THOMASOAKMAN]

Alex Rodriguez you are correct

[@moraesmarcobsb]

Great

[@TLCinematics]

Hey Carey, any updates on the reassembly video? This was very helpful!

[@mattway3496]

A 17mm stripped bolt head removal socket works wonders on those cam bolts. Digs into the outside of it.

[@impulseproman]

After watching mighty subie Mike I will be able to rebuild my wrx sti EJ25

[@realpremier]

Not sure after the video if i want to do it 😂

[@jorgemendez2172]

You can use a irwin brand 9/16 round off socket set with an impact and it’ll coke right off no issues

[@merobot.6275]

That outro lol love ya mike haha

[@afaketwo]

When I grow up. I want to have a garage full of parts and tools. Just like yours.

[@Joyle1]

Removing those cam bolts is a tough job. I found that removing the valve covers to access the camshaft, and putting a spanner on the camshaft works best, it jams and doesn't allow the cam to spin + no pressure on cam gear. I really like your vids, ive watched your build video many times! good work sir

[@jonnydwolf]

Arm chair QB here, so take this with a grain of salt. That breaker bar you are using in that cam appears to be the Pittsburgh one I got at Harbor Freight for my Toyota timing belt job. It gives A LOT and I believe it is a poor design. I think the breaker bars that do not have that larger head for the socket are better and do not have as much give. Nonetheless, the HF Pittsburgh breaker did get the crankshaft pulley volt off with a 4 foot cheater pipe. Pretty sure I was about to break it, and when I heard it snap, I though I did!! Great video and thank you.

[@RollerCoasterLineProductions]

Great videos. I love to watch experts at their trade. Shocked at how much engine mung is all over the top. I’m just curious where and what the fuel or oil leak was?