Help me decide on course of action for head gaskets

[drrobinson]

Looks like my newly acquired 05 Baja Sport (EJ251) has leaky head gaskets. Runs just fine, but evidence of external oil leaks on both sides which I didn’t see on inspection. 223k unknown maintenance after about 130k. All looked good before that.

I wish I would have done more research on common issues before purchasing, but it came up quickly and at the price, and because the rest of the car is in good shape I went for it. It was meant to be a project car. I expected to do timing belt, all cooling system rubber, belts, and all fluids just to get to a known baseline, but now looking like a much bigger job. Not sure I have the time to get it back on the road in a reasonable amount of time.

So my question for you veterans is, the classic:

• Rebuild myself (have the skills and hand tools, but would need to rent or buy engine hoist and stand)
  Find a reputable independent Subie wrench to rebuild
  Replace with low miles JDM (can I swap in an EJ253 easily? Any ECM issues)
  Replace with remanufactured engine EJ253? suggestions for sources?

Thanks, and I am looking forward to learning from all you veterans.

[anarchy1024]

I did the head gaskets on my 2002 Outback (almost the same engine as the Baja; pretty sure the block and heads are the same) in 2015 or 16 myself with basic tools and a torque wrench. Didn't have to remove the engine; just unbolted the engine mounts from underneath, and jacked it up a bit so the heads will clear the chassis. Still have the car today, and all seems to be running well. No more milky oil, at least. Didn't take all that long to do; doable over a weekend or two (faster if you've done something like it before). Since replacement gaskets aren't that much, and it's not that big of a job on the SOHC engine, I'd probably try that first. If successful, great, job done. If not, or if problems reoccur, move to a more expensive alternative.

[drrobinson]

Thanks for the suggestion @anarchy1024.
Interestingly I don't have milky oil, just external leaks. You have me wondering if it's cam covers or valve cover gaskets?

What's the general experience been with blown head gaskets. Is there always coolant in oil, or oil in coolant?

I'm going to pull spark plugs today to see if there is any fouling.

[anarchy1024]

I don't think there's always coolant in the oil; gasket could fail to the outside instead of between oil/coolant passages and/or cylinders.

My valve cover seals were leaking, and the spark plug tube seals were rock-hard and also leaking, so if it's just external oil leaks with no other symptoms, I'd think to investigate that first. Even cheaper and way easier. Could even check your valve lash and readjust if required, since you're in the area. Just make sure to clean the top of the engine before removing the cover, otherwise lots of crap will get in places you don't want to get dirty.

[20Baja06]

I’ll follow this discussion up - is it necessary to have the heads surfaced or just clean them and the block deck and button it all back up?

Also, what head gaskets did you use?

[anarchy1024]

If there's evidence of overheating, I'd definitely get them resurfaced. If not... well, everyone recommends you should get them resurfaced, especially if you're paying someone else to do the work. Don't want to pay for the same work twice because you wanted to take the chance and save some money.

That said, I didn't, accepting the risk that I'd have to do the job over again.

I got a Fel-Pro gasket kit, but I read recommendations that "Seven Star" or the MLS (multi-layer steel) gasket from Subaru is what you want... Although I read that in 2016.

[20Baja06]

The Fel-Pro kit includes MLS head gaskets as well, right? There’s no composite option?

With any MLS gasket, I’m going to get the heads resurfaced. If it were a composite, I might take my chances.

I appreciate the (quick) response - glad there’s still some activity here!

[anarchy1024]

Yeah, pretty sure they're MLS gaskets. There definitely were multiple layers of metal sheets, so by definition they must be, right?

I try to help where/when I can, but I imagine communities based on out-of-production 20-year-old things that were deemed "market failures" are quite difficult to keep active... especially when they tend to rust away or just aren't taken care of. I'm also not a mechanic, so whatever I know comes from problems I've had to deal with, or something I may have read/heard in passing. That said, the Baja is my forever car, so I'm planning to keep it as long as possible. Even bought an 09 STI with the intention to drop the drivetrain into the Baja hopefully next year.