"1337HPMustang" (1337hpmustang) 01/19/2016 at 12:01 • Filed to: None

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So since the death of my mustang:

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I’ve been looking for a fun replacement. I found this decent looking 01 forester and wanted to know what oppo thought

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It’s manual, less than 200k kms, decent price, and a burbly exhaust. It’s unfortunately powered by an ej251 which is notorious for head gasket issues. I’d love it though because a Subaru is on my bucket list and I’m going on a camping roadtrip through the Rockies and it just may be the perfect car for that. So what do you guys think?

CalzoneGolem > 1337HPMustang 01/19/2016 at 12:05

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Not a Subaru expert but I was pretty sure the head gasket issue is remedied by simply swapping gaskets.

HammerheadFistpunch > 1337HPMustang 01/19/2016 at 12:05

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Get an XT. WAAAAAY faster, no HG issues.

Future next gen S2000 owner > 1337HPMustang 01/19/2016 at 12:06

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I can sell you my Mustang in a month or so. :) Comes with snow tires!

Mattbob > HammerheadFistpunch 01/19/2016 at 12:07

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HG issues?

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > CalzoneGolem 01/19/2016 at 12:10

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On the 2.5, from what I’ve heard that’s *almost* it. New head gaskets of a very specific type and a very careful prep of surfaces including making sure they’re true.

Seat Safety Switch > 1337HPMustang 01/19/2016 at 12:11

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The EJ251 has an external head gasket leak, unlike the earlier EJ25D, so at least milkshake, overheating and immediate grenading of the engine is not a concern.

If you can keep it in oil and coolant it will keep choochin’ forever. My EJ251 is at 306k km right now and has probably had a drivers’ side head gasket leak for a decade plus.

Buy it.

Seat Safety Switch > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/19/2016 at 12:13

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Replace with MLS turbo gaskets.

A lot of guys - I’m talking dealerships here - will just slap the same shitty bonded-paper OEM gaskets back in and then run a whizz wheel on it so they end up with a clean (to the eye) block surface that doesn’t seal.

Ash78, voting early and often > Mattbob 01/19/2016 at 12:20

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Full of Mercury. And I don’t mean a CD changer full of Queen.

1337HPMustang > Seat Safety Switch 01/19/2016 at 12:29

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That’s why I’m not very deterred; it’s fantastic that people are endorsing them. You’ve single handedly dispelled my head gasket fear. Looking forward to being Subaru pals!

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Seat Safety Switch 01/19/2016 at 12:30

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I’m told it doesn’t even have to be a gasket for the turbo per se, just has to be the nice layered viton awesomeness - since a lot of the problem is due to limited seal area and electrolysis. OEM gaskets, regardless, would be WRONG WRONG WRONG.

1337HPMustang > HammerheadFistpunch 01/19/2016 at 12:33

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Haha I'm liking the forester for its space, an xt looks like it can handle a whole two duffel bags. Doesn't mean I won't dream of having one!

HammerheadFistpunch > Mattbob 01/19/2016 at 12:33

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head gasket

TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW! > HammerheadFistpunch 01/19/2016 at 12:33

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+1: Do iiiiitttt.

(Impossible to find in Ontario, Alberta, or BC, let alone Manitoba. Good hunting)

Boxer_4 > 1337HPMustang 01/19/2016 at 12:33

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Others touched upon the Head Gasket issues, so I’ll touch upon the timing belt issue. Make sure the timing belt has been done (plus water pump, tensioners, and idlers), or haggle appropriately.

The replacement interval is 105,000 miles or 168,000 km or 105 months. The engine is an interference design, so the timing belt replacement is not optional.

HammerheadFistpunch > 1337HPMustang 01/19/2016 at 12:35

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its the same car, just faster and more reliable.

1337HPMustang > CalzoneGolem 01/19/2016 at 12:35

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The simplicity is taken away by the fact the engine is flat, eh?

vicali > 1337HPMustang 01/19/2016 at 12:45

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Sweet SF, 2001 is a nice year, manuel = 50/50 split f/r awd.

Headgaskets. Then check if it’s had the timing belt done at 168K, make sure all the tires are the same size/brand, 192K was another big service- coolant replace, fuel filter, plugs.. Look for rust on the front lower control arm (TSB was 2002- but check anyways), also rust in the gap behind the rear fenders.

Come on over to subaruforester.org and say hi.

Seat Safety Switch > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/19/2016 at 12:49

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Yeah, the OEM turbo engine gasket is MLS, which is why it’s usually the most recommended.

If you don’t want to go with an OEM turbo gasket set, Cometic offers an aftermarket MLS gasket set that is just fantastic.

As a 2001, you will have the aluminum oil separator plate, so no reason to do that when the engine is out.

Mattbob > HammerheadFistpunch 01/19/2016 at 12:53

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I thought it was the same motor, just with a turbo, or did they put the 2.0 in the XT?

HammerheadFistpunch > Mattbob 01/19/2016 at 12:57

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Actually the XT motor is the STI motor with the WRX turbo. Its the same block, same DOHC (not SOHC as the NA), same sodium filled valves...the works (okay, the pistons are also different). Basically you could buy a used stock STI turbo and intercooler and be making 300+ hp without trouble with the XT motor. It also doesn’t have any head gasket issues and it doesn’t eat spark plugs.

CalzoneGolem > 1337HPMustang 01/19/2016 at 13:01

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That doesn’t help.

1337HPMustang > Boxer_4 01/19/2016 at 13:07

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Thanks so much for the tip. I was going to haggle down for that reason, it needs a high mileage service in the engine bay. Thankfully the seller isn’t the “Craigslist” type and wants to sell it to someone who will appreciate it

1337HPMustang > HammerheadFistpunch 01/19/2016 at 13:10

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Oh a forester xt lol! I thought the two door subie xt

1337HPMustang > vicali 01/19/2016 at 13:27

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God, I love you Subaru guys. Thanks for the tips!

Mattbob > HammerheadFistpunch 01/19/2016 at 14:51

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that is awesome. Now I am sad though. My GF’s NA is further from XT awesomeness than I thought. I was thinking about maybe getting an XT to replace my XJ (jeep) and my 325i with one car.

Frenchlicker > 1337HPMustang 01/19/2016 at 18:24

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I don't know why but there are very few unattractive Subarus. I feel that they are one of the few companies to have a soul. I am a die hard Ford guy but if I was told right now I had to choose one car for the rest of my life it would be a Subaru.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > CalzoneGolem 06/25/2016 at 07:08

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Yeah, the engine had a better-designed gasket created as a replacement for the originals that fail. I got my old Impreza with the 2.5L at 111,000kms, had it until 178,000kms and it was on the same gasket the entire time as it had already been replaced, so I can confirm the replacement gaskets are fine!