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I feel like the ultimate slacker, I’ve started and finished some projects in the past several weeks and I have a list of numerous posts I would like to make here… but the problems continue.

Subaru 2.5L SOHC Engine

This is what has been taking up all of my free time (and a sizable chunk of my tax return) over the past several weeks.  To make a long story short, the engine in my car had a blown head gasket and was leaking coolant internally into the oil.  Sure, I smelled the coolant smell, but an inspection of the oil was both normal in appearance (not milky as would typically indicate coolant in the oil) and odor  as I checked a couple different times over several days.  There had also been a slow leak I was aware of when I would park (a drip here and there), so I just assumed all was fairly ok and it was just leaking a bit more while at speed.  End result was very well spun bearings, and a thoroughly toasted engine.

Rather than rebuild the existing engine since that is a bit beyond my comfort level, I opted for a low miles (51k) engine.  Also decided since the model year the engine came from was prone to head gasket issues that I would replace the head gaskets prior to installing the engine.  Also opted to change out the timing belt and related components that it rides on since it was easily done at that time as well.  The good news is, I’ve been fortunate to be able to arrange my work schedule accordingly to accommodate my wife and I sharing one vehicle while I fix mine up.  Between the lower miles engine and the replacement of the head gaskets and timing belt set as a precaution, I should hopefully have things up and operational mid to late this week and be back at things here once again.

Till next time…