Why Your Subaru's Head Gaskets Failed... Again.

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/shop/mrsubaru1...
Subaru Head Gasket Essentials - www.amazon.com/shop/mrsubaru1...
Subaru Timing Belt Essentials - www.amazon.com/shop/mrsubaru1...
StoreFront - www.amazon.com/shop/mrsubaru1387
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.----

[@mikeyost3672]

"Might as well do this while we're in here" was one of my dad's favorite lines, glad to see it's still alive.

[@maubunky1]

Man, in another life I would've liked to work for you, rarely do you see such a professional attitude in a business owner to want to do things right the first time rather than just trying to make a fast buck. I was taught to repair things by going the extra mile in aircraft mechanic school and have always applied the same philosophy to cars and appliance repair. I know we all keep our cars and washing machines below 10,000 feet AGL but seriously, cars are a huge investment and customers should expect the best from their mechanics. You could argue driving is more dangerous than flying too, but anyway I don't want my kids driving around in unreliable vehicles. My niece was lucky she didn't careen off a mountain road in Colorado when her 190K mile Outbacks ball joint separated, I guess the habit of routine vehicle inspections don't run in the family.

[@fastinradfordable]

No mechanic can prevent an ignorant person from ignoring a problem. Or not understanding that clunking noise is dangerous when operating a high speed machine.

[@EJSJ54]

You are so right! That’s the attitude I wish all mechanics had. You don’t mind paying more for a job well done. 👍

[@nomad90125]

Totally agree 👍 My father taught me from young that if your going to do a job, do it properly or don't bother. He was a world class engineer × royal air force ranking officer. I didn't much like the drilling when i was young but he turned me into a person that looks for excellence in everything i do. And i love it. 🙏❤️

[@Coptergirljs]

Having my head gaskets done on Monday again. I asked my mechanic why he didn't put the right ones in the first time and he simply didn't know about those. Of course at 215,000 now it probably doesn't matter. He did tell me years ago when he replaced the original ones that I would have to have them replaced again at a 100,000 miles. I think they went a little longer. I love this car. I love your videos; nothing hard to understand. You would make a great teacher!

[@Grooove_e]

As an autoparts salesman I have steered many people away from buying the standard graphite gaskets for their "buddy" to replace. So far, none of their cars have experienced the same failure again. More and more DIYers must be watching your videos! I do also recommended your tutorial videos whenever a customer asks about replacing their own headgaskets! As the owner of a '03 WRX original stock EJ205 I haven't had to worry about many issues at all 👍🏻

[@Grooove_e]

@@Trump985 if you had the block and the heads decked then you shouldn't have used OEM head gaskets. You have to use a thicker aftermarket gasket at that point because you have altered the piston to valve clearance drastically by decking both the case halves and the heads

[@Grooove_e]

@@Trump985 forgot one thing, in addition to the thicker head gasket. You would also need to cut the main journal between the case halves if the block was decked on both sides of each case half

[@ronnieboucherthecrystalcraftsm]

@@Grooove_e it would all be done in shop = LINE BORING IS NEEDED = you do not know what your talking about = i think your FAKE AS HILARY CLINTON ! total head case .

[@Jason_Laster]

People should just ask themselves "Do I want it right? Or right now?" Take your time and do it right is what I say.

[@jamesgullo8240]

After all these years one would assume Subaru would be literal head gasket experts.

[@coolbasset]

Where I live in the Northeast there are lots of dead Subaru's sitting in peoples driveways and backyard because of blown head gaskets. I always think about buying one for a couple hundred bucks and giving the fix a try.

[@jamesgeorge6551]

People think they are worth $1500, blown up.

[@moparsrt1905]

As a subaru tech of 11 years I can say for certain the 3M bristle disc works great and does not damage the head. They definitely work best when they are about half worn down. I replace the gaskets with MLS and clean with the 3M discs and never had any issues and I've done DOZENS of them over the years. If the manufacturer says it's ok why would you waste hours with a razor blade? JMO

[@eurotrash55]

Agree 100%. Done dozens and dozens with a 3M bristle and never had a comeback...sidework and in the shop.

[@hooblabity9494]

@eurotrash55 I wouldn't go back to the same mechanic after my new headgasket blew. Just saying ^.^

[@bananabrosinc.7357]

hey brotha i have a 2013 wrx with 128k miles, want to start producing power could i ask you a couple of questions

[@Steevo69]

Failure to machine heads, the lack of cross flow coolant to the passenger side head in extreme cold weather, under torque head bolts.

[@MikeJones-fd9kt]

I’ve done 100 or so ej25 head gasket jobs. Always have used a 3m red scotch brute roloc disc. Never had an issue. I’m at 60k miles on my HG replacement on my own personal forester….no problems! Love Mr. Subaru but he has this one wrong

[@shuba097]

MrSubaru is the most influential person I know! thank you for the video!

[@kumarsonu4848]

This guy is a legend! Great work Roby keep it up!

[@kevinm5177]

Great video. Glad I bought white Scotch Rolocs before you published this, Amazon is gonna be all out now!

[@Ieatpeople2]

I picked up an 01 forester from a friends wife for $700 because it needed head gaskets. I pulled the motor, had the heads done at a machine shop, used the white bristle disk on the block, installed the MLS gaskets (part# 11044AA642), new oem head bolts, followed the torque sequence to the letter. Just got it on the road last week, and so far its running perfect. No leaks, not using any oil or coolant. I'm hoping this fix lasts a long time.

[@wolfman231]

Update?

[@heyitzphil9792]

Update

[@Ieatpeople2]

@@heyitzphil9792 started drinking coolant again after about 1300 miles. but, starts/runs/drives fine so im just gonna keep it full of coolant and drive it till it dies. Its just a spare vehicle anyway.

[@tonymemory2279]

you have to use COPPER COAT SPRAY on all MLS gaskets no matter the make model.

[@glanimalstoo]

Help I just bought 2012 forester with a loan. I missed the pass side head gasket leak. And a bad axle assembly that I saw. I dont have 4000. In 518 NY

[@busyonthefarm]

Fantastic timing! Presently in the middle of this procedure.

[@corey6393]

Great info here. I'll stick with the EJ22 and not worry about the gaskets!

[@bobansley7309]

Big thanks! I'm pulling an EJ25D DOHC out of my old '98 Forester this weekend to do head gaskets.

[@stoveguy2133]

A 98 Subie in MN? Hahaha

[@jamesgeorge6551]

Our shop has a 14X32 belt sander. A quick kiss on that with a 120 grit, followed by are quick few passes on a granite block with 320 grit stuck on it, and they are money. Ra above 60 micro inches, and no worries. Literally done this at least a hundred times, anything with an MLS requires super smooth, super flat.

[@spelunkerd]

Excellent review. With a razor blade, as much as I try to do it right, anything sharper than 90 deg causes it to dig in when the blade hits resistance. Next time it's the machine shop, I want to completely skip efforts by hand.

[@superdavessubiandmore823]

I had to redo mine on my 97 legacy gt.I took a DA sander with 400 sand paper but heads were in tolerance on flatness.I do believe it was 2 thousands and i was at 1 thousands right in the middle.The block is what i was concerned with.so far so good but only got 5 thousand miles since then,i did use the new metal 3 layer subaru gasket.

[@donparker8246]

One thing I can add after spending almost $4000 getting my gaskets done on my 2010 Forester. Don't go overboard with gasket sealer. I blew two sets of camshaft seals because the garage used too much. Found a glob of it in the oil return passage. They dug it out and everything is fine.

[@Silent_Shadow]

As a mechanic I can confirm more is not better. Use the correct amount of RTV.

[@adamschmidt5604]

Great video! Thanks for sharing all your knowledge.

[@dennisleslie]

Just started a new job at a Subaru dealership as a tech, however I have been working on cars and engines my entire life. Any time I have pulled a cylinder head for any reason, I have always sent it to a machine shop to be disassembled, cleaned, valves and guides checked, resurfaced, and magnafluxed to check for any cracks.

[@garthjernigan8697]

I did exactly that by letting a local, Subaru only repair shop, put in a "new" remanufacted short block from Subaru, along with heads that had gone to a machine shop. It was done around 189k miles on my 06 Forester. And at a little over 500 miles on the "new" engine, I had a guy clip the front end, which ripped off the bumper cover and made a mess of everything. So not only did I get a heart transplant for my car, it got a face lift as well!

[@tonyvelez9869]

That just happened to my wife I put a 4800 dollar transmission in then another grand in tires and breaks then some ass slammed into her and took off totaling her car and of course insurance company doesn’t take any of that into consideration just wrote a check to pay it off and then we got what was left to buy another car after almost 5 years of payments we literally lost so much money and are left to start all over again in a market that is crazy expensive we got so screwed on this deal

[@zacaea1583]

Im just glad that my 2010 outback is still going good... wait better not say that now.

[@Goultek]

I just go for having the heads machineshopped, it costs some money but the result is so much better

[@brittandthatsall]

Love this video- you've explained it well so any skill level will understand before they embark on this job. Here's something from the motorcycle industry, from the days of old: at 18:00, you should put gel-type paint remover liberally on the gasket surfaces and combustion chamber/valves. Allow it to sit, and reapply after 15 minutes (use a metal-handled acid flux brush & gloves) and your deposits & gasket remnants will be attacked and lifted from the aluminum. Use the acid brushes to "scrub" at heavier spots, wiping away the burned hydrocarbons as you go. If you take your time you'll remove everything without using a razor blade or even the plastic scrapers. Use it on the piston crowns and black gasket surfaces as well. The technique came from two stroke and older 20th century engines where "de-coking" was a periodic maintenance. I love a clean gasket surface and offer my customers a 30-day no leak guarantee- not using mechanical means to prep gasket surfaces are preferred- and I'm with you on the Rotoloc wheels- I tried them for a time and learned my lesson on cylinder mating surfaces! Keep up the good work and I hope this step gets added to peoples prep, try it yourself- just be patient and don't be afraid to soak, and re-apply. Placing plastic cling wrap over the paint remover slows its evaporation. I have cleaned head over many hours and you see the factory machining in many cases. Also, the non-safe yucky versions (with MEK etc) act better then the California-approved gels.

[@johnsutcliffe3965]

Hi Mr Subaru, I really enjoyed the video. However, you wouldn't happen to have a check list of what should be done when having the HG replaced and what is the right part number for the MLS HG for naturally aspirated 2.5 series engine. It would be greatly appreciated, thanks again for all the informative videos!

[@ridewithgnr2116]

Much appreciated. I have my wife's 2002 Outback Wagon with a disappearing radiator fluid issue and the oil don't look great for too long! I am thinking head gasket issues? Non-turbo car, but I understand the "not all gaskets are created the same quality." I live in West Texas. No dealer or mechanic I trust or that wants to touch it. That leaves me to fix it or trailer it somewhere a long ways away to have it fixed. Yeah for me!

[@timm.6391]

I used a block sanding block wider than head surface with 600 grit and wet sanded with oil. Straight edge checked every few minutes until I got spec. 600 cuts very little at a time so took a while but worked out great. This was 2018 for my 2005 WRX, still going, about to convert a 2.5 with AVCS to non AVCS cams and cam pulleys to swap into it, then I'll be again street tuning with the laptop again.

[@Strz-wl2kg]

I do the same but with thick piece of glass

[@tmmlam]

agree 100%, there are shops & individuals cutting corners.

[@Allthetacosaremine]

If you find a shop not cutting corners your lucky. I fix my own for a very good reason.

[@MrWizard36]

Great Video, Thank you for sharing your skills and knowledge

[@Questchaun]

I replaced my wife's 09 Forester head gaskets at 100k, caught it early! Replaced the cam caps, the water pump and timing belt. I used 3m green to clean the mating surfaces up. Cleaned some of the carbon off the head. Used the MLS gasket and copper gasket Seems to be working out.

[@TreyCook21]

Ya got me scared now. I did my ej253 on my own. I don't feel I used a "qualified" machinist, but he's all I had in the area. It's been 7 months and good so far.

[@jimbojimson]

I've always scraped gaskets the way my dad taught me when I was a kid, kind of surprised to see the angle you're using here. I was told to scrape it with the razor blade angled away, so rather than cutting material off you're scraping it off. Lots of passes to get each thin layer off, but there's no possibility you'll dig into the flange.

[@kathylewis7543]

Thank you always appreciate your knowledge! Great advice as well. Thank you I know people with Subarus I will pass this on to them!

[@waynesitarz424]

02 2.5L in my 88 Vanagon.(1800km on it installed in 2003) oil leak at #4 in 2017. prep with razor blade and gasket remover and installed Six-Star gaskets DIY.

[@MrSubaru1387]

Six-Stars fail like other after market gaskets, they're coated, or used to be. Have three blow sets on the wall in the shop.

[@jojopojo9516]

It would be great if you could do a video with your guy at the machine shop. Any additional details about machining the heads would be appreciated. I'm in the process of buying a 04' Legacy GT and while I think the engine in it is beyond repair, I would at least want to know what I should expect from my local machine shop should the engine be salvagable. Can't remember if you said it in the video but does the shortblock / crankcase usually need to be machined as well?

[@beakerbarrett6635]

I have replaced a LOT of head gaskets on subarus. I have been a senior master tech for over 10 years. and have a few disagreements with a few parts. Yes proper prep is always the only way to do anything on a car. But the best way we have found when replacement of headgaskets with the graphite coated. Follow head bolt torque sequence. But not the specs. Before using the multilayer gaskets we have found 80lb on all bolts have made the graphite last 200k in some of our customers cars and not have an issue. We did switch to multilayer for extra assurance. I bought a cheap legacy where the car had been overheated 3 times after the first gasket failed. I used the graphite ones because I had a set kicking around. The heads were warped(don't do this to someone else's car and get them machined) and I never had a problem.

[@chrisodell2698]

i have found a hand held green scotchbrite pad works great for cleaning sealing surfaces

[@carlosmontoro2313]

Im studying for my engine diagnosis certification. I have no idea why a mechanic would not put a MSL gasket on. haha nice vid dude

[@psavel274]

Most 'mechanics' that are just 'parts changers' and aren't well versed in such an inherent failure point will just slap the OEM or equivalent back on. They're going to replace what's readily available from whatever vendor the shop uses. Most shops that aren't of the 'specialty variety' do it this way because they either lack the knowledge of the issue, or they are billing for the parts that the job usually calls for. Unless you've done a few of these or are a Subaru indie shop, most likely you're not going to know any better that the MLS gasket is a necessity in this case, not just an option from a reliability standpoint. The average indie shop or garage works on tons of different makes and models and isn't a specialist in a specific make to truly know that a known failure point exists or to even check for a TSB before doing the job. Im a 25+ year tech that's been all over. Indies, Stealerships, my own business, etc. All business practices are not created equal in the world of auto repair, modding, or fab work.

[@619guy202]

@@psavel274 every auto parts store only sells MLS gaskets. You have to specifically go in there and special order an OEM gasket. Usually it’s just Felpro that’s on the shelfs

[@TestECull]

I've worked as a dealer mechanic before. We put on what the parts guy handed us. If it was the right part, great. If it was the wrong part but still fits and works at the moment, well shit, customer'll be back eventually just throw it on and send it out. Part of why I used the past tense when describing my employment thereof. I'm happily a shadetree again and I can take as long as I want to put the *right* parts on my engine.

[@NCGNTO202]

Despite my mechanic's diagnosis, I had a failed HG at about 143K Car ran fine after that until around 200,000. Started losing more oil and developed a rod knock. At 231K I believe the HG failed again. I wish I could have advised them to use the MLS which I'm sure was available then but oh well. I will miss my 01 Legacy GT Limited. I wish they still made a sporty model like that.

[@slowwrx1049]

Wrx go vroom

[@Fwoggyz]

Glad I found this video. I was wanting to get a blob eye STI and was wondering if there was an aftermarket gasket that would fix the issue.

[@crabmansteve6844]

I always heard "Do it nice or do it twice" from my momma. Always stuck with me even 25yrs later.

[@bobmcl2406]

Very clear, very thorough, well done video. I still cannot understand why Subaru didn't solve this problem years ago, by simply building all of their engines with the MLS gasket, since it was already in their supply chain. I understand the bean counter's influence, but the corporate reputation hit has been very large indeed.

[@Kacpa2]

Yeah they shouldve done it long ago for EJ's. It seems like they just did that for FB and FA engines since their gaskets never seem to fail in NA nor Turbo versions.

[@moparsrt1905]

Because they make a killing selling gaskets aftersale 🤷‍♂️ truth sucks

[@stephenedwards5567]

The MBA mentality ( the same mentality that has destroyed Sears,Kmart, GM, Chrysler Montgomery Ward ) etc took over

[@robertfirestine8192]

@@stephenedwards5567 I suspect they're exploiting unplanned obsolescence, which is great for the bottom line, aka all that matters to them..

[@stevenp540]

Thanks again for your videos and sharing your talents! Howdy, can you recommend a machine shop to rebuild/ recondition a set of cylinder heads. A lot of the shops around me only want “normal” heads not flat , or the AVCL head. Thanks!

[@bill6960]

The Subaru Gasket Kit I bought with my EJ253 short block came with MLS gaskets. This was ~3 years ago. So maybe I got lucky? Until I watched your videos, I assumed all manufactures used MLS gaskets after the late 1990's. The funny thing is with the Chrysler 2.2/2.5, was the coolant leaking into the cylinders was never the composite HG issue for me. It was always the head cracking between the valves. Then the 2.0/2.4 was actually the HG. Thankfully that was an (relatively) cheaper/easier fix. Like the Subaru, once you use the MLS HG, and do proper prep work, the issue never returns. I found a cheaper than full price set of new ARP studs on ebay to use on my EJ253, and have had zero issues with leakage despite the much simpler to torque process. So if the torque procedure that Subaru has, is a bit daunting for you, it might be worth the ~$200 full price for a set of ARP studs if you aren't confident that you will get it right. $200 is still cheaper than redoing it, and the frustration that comes with that. Just an option for the DIY'ers if you're not comfortable with the torque to yield head bolts, and Subaru's extra steps needed.

[@user-iv1kz1ld3n]

Awesome videos Mr.Subaru

[@marktironi458]

I am fortunate to have two very competent Subaru mechanics in my area of Orange County NY. Trust either of these two independent shops totally with any job on my Outbacks.

[@P00katube]

Who are the mechanics in Orange county? I live in Rockland County

[@rinunculartoo3006]

single edge razorblades also really good for cleaning inside of oven glass, does not scratch either.

[@DS-bi3fz]

Great information! I know this is about the heads, but I would think a comment about a quick block inspection would be appropriate. What are the basics of block surface inspection (maybe it's a well known fact that just because heads have warped due to heating, blocks don't in TEND TO, and usually survive). Maybe you should clean the pistons/rings, treat with a lubricant, or maybe you should NOT touch them. Maybe you should pack your cylinders with a soaked rag and prep the surfaces with the side pointing downward on an engine stand, etc. Again, the point would be how to know you'll probably have a lot more life if you focus on proper restoration of the heads....

[@martingriffith7824]

Number 1 rule : subaru didn’t design the headgaskets right to start with, even though they said, it was fixed in 2011 on our legacy. We traded it in on a Rav4 in 2017. SUBARU isn't worth our money 37k in 2011, problems included headgasket, cat shield, cvt transmission controller, headlight replacement nightmare and driver's door window, and lock controller 95k miles. If they built it right or the way first, it would be best.😊

[@doogeerugged89]

when i was at GMC the "new improved" way to clean their heads was with ONLY solvent and a plastic razor blade... with that being said there was always a good bit of left over coatings .

[@williamnichols429]

My preferred gasket surface prep method is a 3"x 6" sharpening stone.

[@nerd1000ify]

Surface prep is not geometry correction. Though it is 100% possible to correct a warped head with hand tools by scraping the head and the top of the block in to match one another, in fact a skilled scraper hand can match surfaces so well they'll seal without a gasket. It would take forever though, which is why it's not done.

[@EchoSixMike]

Loved to see a recommendation for proper machine work! For good MLS sealing, they need to be surfaced to a specific surface finish, which means being cut using some form of flycutter with a PCD(Poly Crystalline Diamond), CBN(Cubic Boron Nitride) or similar cutting insert.

[@Allen-bm6tz]

What about the block?

[@EchoSixMike]

@@Allen-bm6tz Same story

[@Allen-bm6tz]

@@EchoSixMike most folks aren't taking the block to the machine shop so... It's a gamble the MLS will seal properly?

[@EchoSixMike]

@@Allen-bm6tz To be honest I don't know, I've only done engines built on a stand for racing and all surfaces were machined.

[@Allen-bm6tz]

@@EchoSixMike this might get me banned for saying, but maybe the Fel-pro route is the way to go? They are MLS and the coating is supposed to adhere to the surfaces to make up for the not so finished surface.

[@zanacku]

Perfect timing. I’m in the middle of a head rebuild now.

[@Toolaholic7]

GM had that same problem with the Rolac discs,they were replacing engines from improper engine gasket surface cleaning.The little pieces would get in the oil which the oil filter could not trap resulting in premature engine failure.They put a TSB out on this not use them for gasket surface cleaning

[@MrSubaru1387]

Yup. Cummins as well.

[@everynamesused07]

Great channel mate thank you for all the info you share. Is the MLS gasket a Subaru or aftermarket item?

[@user-cl2es9iu1j]

Thanks bro, we are seriously contemplating buying our 3rd Forester in a row. 2008, 2015 and now 2022. Do you consider the 2022 engines and cars durable? Thanks again.

[@1oldvato782]

I have a 2018 forester 2.5 Premium so do the newer foresters still have HG problems. Thanks love your videos

[@chunjee]

3:40 - 'one thing I love about Subarus is you can buy this gasket kit... with the wrong headgaskets' 🤔

[@jonk6137]

How did I miss this video? Thanks for the info. Really appreciate the info.

[@619guy202]

Because it just came out..... are you stupid or something?

[@fritzaroo]

I used corse scotch bright pad with solvent works great

[@ttamn92]

When I had my shop subarus were a very large percentage of what we worked on. We resealed rebuilt and did high performance builds consistently..one thing I started doing was cutting the heads and block to a very slightly rougher RA that very small difference seemed to completely fix the problem. I never had a single one of my head gasket repair come back with seeing some drive 150k+ miles after the repair Before I started doing that I had a few issues...

[@crogunson4784]

My Ej20x has 293k still runs perfectly oil & filter every 5000 click's.Factory head gasket still in place loving my Subi doesn't loose coolant,or leak oil burnt about 125ml after a 1500km interstate trip tight as a drum.

[@EngineersHomestead]

Sorry if I missed it, but what is your go to prep on the block side? Razor blade and brake clean?

[@wilwiener]

I agree the MLS gaskets are better but they do fail. Did head gaskets on a 2011 outback non turbo. Compression ring cracked even with the coolant passage.

[@kennethchege2627]

Thank you for doing the video. Very helpful

[@prestonfields5968]

Quick question. When you send the to your preffered machine shop, do you clean them up first or just send them to the machine shop in the condition they were in when removed?

[@joeydamiani86]

The 02 Impreza N/A I bought for my gf she wrecked and then I fixed last fall now has 240k on it as far as I know original gasket. Coolant level has been the same since I put the cheapest radiator off Amazon two years n 20k miles ago.

[@themightiness]

I haven't had a full on failure yet but my 2008 Forester 2.5L was leaking oil from a leaky head gasket starting around 120k and I actually ended up fixing the leak with STP Stop Leak a few oil changes ago. I just throw a bottle of that in with every new oil change and I haven't had a SINGLE DROP of oil leak from my engine since. Hoping that keeps it going for quite some time I'm up to 150k now and it's still holding.

[@citizendc9]

That's a great idea. I was thinking of using a "sodium silicate" based head gasket fixer (you throw into your coolant) such as Rislone head gasket fix, to resolve any gasket issues. But I will now combine this with STP Stop Leak for the perfect low cost fix.

[@aussietaipan8700]

Hey Mr Subi1387, another great video, thanks mate. Can you pls let me know if it is best to pull the engine out of my bugeye WRX to adjust the tappets?

[@MrSubaru1387]

Definitely easier engine out. Have to have the Subaru special tool to do them in car.

[@kevinsiggins623]

After using them during a valve cover gasket replacement I definitely like using plastic razor blades. They’re not as sharp as a metal blade but the risk of damage is essentially non existent.

[@bobnieuwsma5341]

What are your thoughts on putting ej2.2 heads on a ej2.5 block? I like the simplicity of the 2.2 heads

[@grantfuller2016]

I use gasket stripper , scrape it off with a soft scraper , repeat as many times as necessary . Finish with 240 grit sandpaper on a sanding block . Most manufacturers will supersede inferior parts with better ones - shame on Subaru for not doing the same .

[@horriblehayden]

What's your opinion on the ej22? Keep it and do heads or swap it? I have a 95 subaru legacy with an ej22. 270k 5 spd (gambler 500 rig) had a helicoiled spark plug shoot out from PO repairs. I assume heads toast... Junkyard heads and machine shop?

[@JohnKatiku]

Do it Right, Do it light Do it wrong, Do it Long... Love it. Meanwhile, I have an EJ20 SF5. Having Loads of Power loss during acceleration. Checked Compression on the Plugs(OK), Changed Head Gaskets, Fuel Valves, Pump, Filter Spark Plugs, What option do i look into.

[@Runescape.]

those roloc cookie discs and also the white one you shown are both sold as gasket removers by 3m. they do remove material but that is what a gasket is for, there is enough tolerance in the gasket to fill any gaps. the reason subaru head gaskets blow up so much as you said is because they're poor graphite ones and not made very well like honda. the biggest reason there was a TSB on those roloc discs tho is aluminum oxide contamination, when you use them it shoots aluminum dust all over your engine. getting into oil and coolant and causing internal wear. very bad stuff.

[@r.l.strange1897]

Great video man. Love the explanations. I have a question if you see this and have time. I have an 09 LGT and it needs a new ECM. I bought a used one for the same year but what do I need to do before I put it in? I have heard I need to take it to a dealer to program it. Any insight would be extremely helpful

[@MrSubaru1387]

09 should still be a plug and play PCM.

[@r.l.strange1897]

@@MrSubaru1387 thank you so much. This channel rocks

[@lilpoindexter]

I used to work as an engineer for chrysler on the neon engine back in the day. the graphite gasket developed an oil leak, because the feed to the cylinder head was outside the permiter created by the headbolts. An MLS gasket was released in like '98...problem solved

[@acgolem]

I've done a few head gaskets before. Started on old Toyotas that didn't have over head cams. Really simple. Worked my way up to sohc then dohc motors. Haven't done a boxer motor yet. I've got a Subaru outback that is dripping oil from both heads. No coolant leaking so isn't overheating. I'm just going to put up with the drips. I'll put some cardboard down and swap it out every so often 😂. I dread the thought of pulling the motor and all that's involved. I'm not paying potentially thousands for a shop to fix what is currently just a slow oil drip. Realistically I'll probably sell it and buy another Toyota 😂

[@607perkins]

Be careful! those oil drips become internal coolant drips and the leak path can be straight from the coolant jacket to the big oil return galleys at the bottom of the engine, where you are seeing the oil drips. This is a common pathway, and I got several dozen subie head gaskets hanging on my wall of shame to instruct my customers about it! Best to find the right shop in your area, and do it once, do it right, and be done forever.

[@JonathanWhoever]

Haha 27 yrs ago I was a younger diesel mechanic. Took a roloc to the front cover of a L10 Cummins. Did not work out well.

[@MrSubaru1387]

😂 😂 😂

[@DayRider76]

I did some hg's last year on one of my Subi's, I went after it with a harbor freight long sanding block, 220 wet sand paper, wd40, a straight edge and some scotch bright. This year it got new crank, rods, pistons, etc.....The heads still looked great and just needed a little clean up. My biggest advise for the diy'er, Don't skip cleaning out the rocker runners. At a minimum, Strip the rockers and cams and clean them. Even if it is just a hg repair. Most of the things that make your Subaru sound old and tired are right there and can be cleaned out.

[@Dankcatvacs]

hey you know what that rattle is on start up on those subaru engines even my 93 loyale does it but not as loud . its quite noticeable on the ej engines (something internal not the tensioner)

[@mescko]

@@Dankcatvacs High-mileage Subies are known for some piston slap on startup.

[@crankshaft007]

I replaced two 99-2000 foresters HGaskets with felpro mls and both failed prematurely 4-5 years and 40-50k miles. All procedures followed heads machined, valve guides repaired, valve seals replaced. Very upsetting as originally gaskets seeping but still great and lasted 2-3 years longer then felpro. One car had waterless coolant evans, and running no cooling system psi and lab test on coolant was good, Talked to mr Subaru and recommended the turbo HG, wish I had known this before hand. And not so trusting of aftermarket gaskets

[@cristobalbarros5201]

What means felpro? I'm sorryy ignorance

[@mescko]

@@cristobalbarros5201 Fel-pro is a brand name that manufactures gaskets of various types.

[@southernflatland]

I'm not a Subaru guy, but I used to own a 1991 Chevy Corsica, which I managed to restore and get running after a blown head gasket. Thing was, I followed the book specs, which called for 43 foot pounds on the front and 46 on the back bolts. I followed the instructions exactly. I didn't realize until like a year and a half later that something just wasn't right. Cold weather hit and I found myself losing coolant. So I went back in and re-torqued them to the book specs, again... After another year and a half, this new head gasket I had installed myself finally went out, so I ended up having to install yet another head gasket... Welp, turns out the 1991 version of the Corsica had sh!tty specs which only called for a single pass head bolt torquing sequence. The later 1992 version upgraded that to a three pass torquing sequence. When I replaced the head gasket the second time, I basically adopted the 1992 model instructions on my old 91. And FINALLY the head held tight! Is there something to learn from my short story? Likely yes. If an old car ignorantly calls for only one pass on the head bolts, ignore that crap and do a three pass, make sure that sh!t is tight!

[@joemikey278]

Great video! Where do you buy your MLS head gasket, do the dealers carry them in addition to the old graphite head gasket?

[@MrSubaru1387]

Dealership, Amazon, Subaruparts.com

[@JaredRoso]

I have the EJ22 with the single port exhaust... what is the Subaru Parts number for the exhaust gasket? I have been unable to find it and noticed the single port exhaust gaskets I have seen, have two holes for the studs... the exhaust manifold I have, has three holes for head studs. Can you clarify my situation and advise me in the right direction. Great video, keep it up.

[@tomashton1781]

I mess around with 4 banger in line heads all the time, I have a diamond flat plate for sharpening knifes etc, I spray oven cleaner on stuff to remove crap, and if the head is aluminum and the warp is over 2,000 inch , I just rub and pass the diamond plate over it till I get less then the gasket thickness,

[@607perkins]

I live on an island, and the closest machinist with a Rottler CBN head surfacer is a long way away. If he is busy, it's a ferry trip to the mainland. over and back two times 4 hours each, and $40 in ferry fees. So I'm very out in a rural area, and in my own. But, since I have a aerospace machining background from the 1980's and know about RMS finishes and such. I have a Bridgeport, I bought the right tools (big, flywheel type fly cutter) to be able to surface heads in house. I'm able to hold a RMS 20 finish (or better, usually RMS 15 SAE.) The secret to that is the right feeds and speeds, a razor sharp carbide cutter with the right geometry, and a light coolant spray mist. It comes off the mill with a total warpage of .0005 (convex) . Well within specs. It would be better if the mill wasn't old, and a bit hunchbacked on the table. The thing is, every block I check has .001 to .0015" (usually .0015") concave warpage, even if it's never been overheated. So the the total warp is .0005 plus .0015 on the block, which is the maximum .002" allowed . Not great. I don't want to start out at the maximum warp allowed. (I understand some would say that .0005 convex plus .0015 concave equals .001" . You have a point. But I think it works better my way.) So I worked out a way to put an assembled shortblock engine on the Bridgeport, seal it from the swarf, level and fasten it to the machine. The block surface to be refinished is shimmed so that the least amount of material needs to be removed, (usually under .002") and get that same .0005 convex , RMS 15 surface finish on it too! . My way, there is .001 total warp, (.0005 block and .0005" head) with the warp being convex on both surfaces, which is opposite of the warp they develop in service. I think folks don't pay enough attention to the block warp. I used to work in areospace, where sometimes total tolerance working on shuttle parts (Yeah, I'm that old) would be .0002", I can accurately measure this using one of several pink granite surface plates in the shop and a good , self calibrated straight edge. MLS gaskets are intolerant of rough surfaces, scratch's of any kind and contamination of any kind. Be super careful people. It's not like the old days. Good luck. Happy wrenching. And yes, I charge a lot for this.

[@clifford_2zero7]

As with anything internally in a combustion engine cleanliness and precision is key. If you are not willing to put the time into it to do it correctly and not willing to be clean as possible nor have the means to be don't do it.. However if you are capable and have mechanical knowledge to begin with then I would encourage you to attempt. Ive never taken apart the engine on my 18' WRX but if i had to I would and would absolutely do as he said. I've taken apart my Camaros top end and put a cam in it, ported heads (that a shop did) etc. and it really isnt bad work at all. You just gotta realize you have to be perfectly as clean as possible and that a lot of these parts are in the thousandths of an inch tolerances. If you get that wrong wheather it be straightness of a cyl. head or whatever it won't last. Bottom line: Stay clean, take your time and know your limits. Let the machine shop do ALL the precise stuff. Its nessisary for a good job.

[@malkeyatsingh4312]

very informative video sir. Could you pls provide the p/n for the multi-layer HG for EJ251 forester 2004 NA engine. Thanks in advance.

[@tambosnipes1652]

Serious overlook of subaru

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

I bought in 2013 Subaru Legacy H6 engine just to avoid the head gasket issues with the 2.5L four cylinder design. Never had those graphite engine gaskets, so the problem does not exist. Now have 111,000 miles and while it burns a tiny amount of oil, no gasket problems at all. Just change the oil every 5000 miles and trouble free driving. So I find these videos interesting and just thank my knowledge of the gasket problem back in the day allowed me to avoid all the headaches of the gasket saga.

[@universoulsista5766]

Can you sei

[@joel.3112]

Hopefully you are the fortunate one that don't have to have headgaskets replaced!! Because H6 is way more time consuming than the H4 single cam, twin cam, na, are even turbo charged.

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

@@joel.3112 Agreed. Changing the driver's side spark plug close to the back of the box is no picnic either! Need a mirror and a u-joint socket to make it work. Now have 120,000 and still no issues and don't plan to have them either.

[@davidprice9815]

@@Buc_Stops_Here My solution to tight Subaru spark plugs changing headaches is NGK's Ruthenium or at least Iridium - once and done for life.

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

@@davidprice9815 I asked about that. Not recommended as it still wears out the engine coils if you don't change them by 90,000 miles max. To go an extra 30,000 the cost does not seem worth it.

[@richardwilson5709]

I had my shop repl my old engine on my 2015 Forrester. The reason I waited to buy the 2015 model was told that the old head gasket series was updated to a permanent head gasket. WRONG! the same cheap junk gasket was in my orginal engine which of course failed. I had a used engine installed (the engine had 49k miles) however I know this engine has the same head gasket as the old engine(my bad) now I have 89k on my repl engine and hope that this thing stays togethere. I have serviced this car systems perfectly. I am glad to see your videos on Subaru repairs. I wish I known this before I spent $5K on the used replacement engine. Can you recommend an engine rebuilder that will "blueprint" a repl engine?

[@joshuachristiansen2626]

The gaskets ending in Part number 642 in your link (part of a kit) work on anything from an ej51 to a 257 correct?

[@sundarAKintelart]

Good explanation

[@diegoordonez2677]

Awesome thank you to explain 👍 👍

[@MAGA-Chad]

I'm a big fan of boxer engines. They've actually got a lot of advantages over the inlines and the v engines. Only real issue I see with boxer engines...... There's no 8 cylinder variant in a production truck or car. Really wish there was though.

[@robertbain72]

A Starrett granite lapping block, sheet of wet/dry sandpaper, diesel for lubricant and you can get them flatter than glass with a perfect surface. I did that 13 years ago on a 98 outback, but dammit I couldn't find good head gaskets back then. I ordered gaskets 3 times from different vendors and they were all exactly the same. I've been a Cat engine mechanic for 25 years and I know what good gaskets and seals are supposed to look like....i knew they were junk but I had to put it back on the road.. Well they're going again and this time I ordered the fel pro MLS. Did I order the wrong gaskets?

[@motleypixel]

So what years/models used the older graphite coated HG? When did Subaru stop using them and use a superior HG? Thank you.

[@uofm49426]

Can you should how to get to and replace the key cylinder on 2002 2003 wagon hatchback next video and show a replacement part