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Head Gasket oil leak at 60,000 miles - second engine

20 messages,  Last post on Jul 22, 2012 at 2:17 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Wagon

Messages Page 2 of 3

#7 of 20 Re: Reliable Forester / Impreza non turbo? [joybell] by aatherton

May 25, 2012 (6:12 am)

Replying to: joybell (May 24, 2012 10:46 am)
"... The dealer tells me that as of the 2011 models the engine design has changed. But I heard all this before, when I purchased the 2003 Forester new. ..."
 
There was no engine change in 2003. The EJ belt-driven SOHC engine was used in naturally aspirated Foresters essentially unchanged from 1999 to 2010.
 
But it is true that in 2011 naturally aspirated Foresters were given the new FB chain-driven DOHC engine. This a completely new design.
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/subaru-fb-series-engine-subaru-flat-four-engine- - - s
http://subarudrive.preprod.dcim.com/Win11/itsWhatMakes.htm
 
One interesting change is that the heads of the FB engine have their own separate coolant supply, that does not come from the block through the head gaskets. This will eliminate the head gasket leaks that were possible with the EJ design, and were especially common in your 2003 year.

#8 of 20 Re: Reliable Forester / Impreza non turbo? [joybell] by rsholland

May 25, 2012 (6:58 am)

Replying to: joybell (May 24, 2012 10:46 am)
Sorry to hear you're still having problems with your car. As has been mentioned, Subaru is moving away from the older SOHC belt-driven EJ 4-cylinder engine to all-new FA and FB 4-cylinder engines, which are DOHC chain-driven engines.
 
The FA is a performance-oriented engine, first to be found in their new BRZ sports car (FA20).
 
The FB is more a mainstream engine, aimed at getting high gas mileage, especially so when combined with the new CVT transmission.
 
The FB20 engine is in the new Impreza; and the soon-to-be-released XV Crosstrek, an Outback-like version of the Impreza (see links), with a jacked up suspension and larger tires. The Impreza is rated for up to 36 mpg on the highway, the best of any AWD car; the XV Crosstrek a little lower.
 
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/04/2013-subaru-xv-crosstrek-new-york-2012/
 
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/13/2013-subaru-xv-crosstrek-first-drive-review/
 
The larger FB25 is in the Legacy, Outback and Forester models. It too gets improved gas mileage over the older EJ engine.
 
One especially nice feature of the new FA/FB-based engines is that the oil filter is now on the top of the engine, in the front, thus making oil changes a breeze.
 
I haven't heard of any problems with the new FB engines; but they are new, so only time will tell.
 
Bob

#9 of 20 Re: Reliable Forester / Impreza non turbo? [rsholland] by dcm61

May 25, 2012 (7:17 am)

Replying to: rsholland (May 25, 2012 6:58 am)
The larger FB25 is in the Legacy, Outback and Forester models.
 
Legacy/Outback does not get the FB25 'til MY2013.

#10 of 20 What's this? Crosstrek with a 2.0L engine by joybell

May 25, 2012 (7:41 am)

From the article on the Crosstrek:
 
"Power comes from the same 2.0-liter boxer four that's found in the standard Impreza, putting out 148 horsepower and mated to either a five-speed manual or Continuously Variable Transmission."
 
I know that when I wanted to trade in my Forester, there was no such thing as an Impreza with a 2.0L engine. In fact, when I checked, I found that the 2.0L engine was discontinued in the Impreza back in 2000.
 
I do know that in Europe they have different engines - lower hp but the good reliable ones. Not as power crazy over there I guess. So maybe the article is referencing the Japanese and European model Imprezas.
 
On another note, I found a really nice 2004 WRX Turbo that I am thinking about, although it's not really my style my research has found that the turbos do not have HG problems. A little old but probably better than sticking my neck out with new untried engine. Once burned........
 
I did try out a new Honda CRV - didn't like the drive too much. So it's off to an independant garage for a HG fix for $600 (for one only) that will gain me some search time.

#11 of 20 Re: What's this? Crosstrek with a 2.0L engine [joybell] by ateixeira

May 25, 2012 (8:08 am)

Replying to: joybell (May 25, 2012 7:41 am)
the turbos do not have HG problems
 
Semi-closed deck block sure helps...

#12 of 20 Re: What's this? Crosstrek with a 2.0L engine [joybell] by dcm61

May 25, 2012 (9:11 am)

Replying to: joybell (May 25, 2012 7:41 am)
So maybe the article is referencing the Japanese and European model Imprezas.
 
Nope, the 2012 U.S.-spec Impreza (non-WRX/STi) has the new FB20 (2.0L) engine.
 
While the FB20 in my '12 Sport Limited has less HP and torque than my '03 OB EJ25, it "feels" like it has more power. Of course CVT vs. 4EAT, and slightly less weight, helps a lot .

#13 of 20 Re: What's this? Crosstrek with a 2.0L engine [joybell] by xwesx

May 25, 2012 (9:29 am)

Replying to: joybell (May 25, 2012 7:41 am)
The closed deck blocks of the turbocharged engines are a stout design that does not have head gasket issues, but you do have to watch out for past treatment of the vehicle. Many of the WRX and STi out there are run through the ringer more than a few times by their previous owner(s), so you could end up with a whole host of other problems.
 
A favorite tactic? Take an overused (abused?), highly modified WRX approaching its last leg, put it back to "stock," and try to pass it off to an unsuspecting buyer for top dollar.

#14 of 20 Re: Reliable Forester / Impreza non turbo? [dcm61] by rsholland

May 25, 2012 (11:02 am)

Replying to: dcm61 (May 25, 2012 7:17 am)
I know. Just pointing out that the non-turbo EJ engines are about to be history.
 
Bob

#15 of 20 Re: What's this? Crosstrek with a 2.0L engine [dcm61] by rsholland

May 25, 2012 (11:54 am)

Replying to: dcm61 (May 25, 2012 9:11 am)
Dave, how are you enjoying your new Impreza? Any regrets?
 
Bob

#16 of 20 Re: What's this? Crosstrek with a 2.0L engine [rsholland] by dcm61

May 25, 2012 (1:18 pm)

Replying to: rsholland (May 25, 2012 11:54 am)
I'm enjoying my Sport Limited; now have ~850 miles.
 
* Pleased with power (compared to '03 OB 2.5L 4EAT)
* Loving the moonroof (haven't had one since my '86 VW Jetta GLi)
* Getting ~29 to 30 mpg on my commute (was getting ~23 to 24 mpg with '03 OB)
* Visibility is not that great (compared to '03 OB)
* I'm going to have to keep on my toes if I want to keep the front end in one piece (haven't had a car sit this low in years)
* I keep playing with the seat, but my back still gets sore ... I had no idea there was no lumbar support

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