Rebuilt motor (head gaskets were leaking), now no spark

[Gyro10]

Also my cheapo OBD2 reader scans for a while then says Link Error.

[RX25SE]

Also my cheapo OBD2 reader scans for a while then says Link Error.

MY02 will have generic OBD11 codes, but despise an OBD11 type connector it doesn't use OBD11 protocol to communicate with the scan tool.

FYI: OBD11 protocols became mandatory in Australia from 2006.

[Gyro10]

Running Evoscan software in Subaru mode via the OBD2 port gets a connection.
The bad news is no DTCs, yet the Check Engine light is always on.
I can't see the Test connector under the dash to check it.
I don't have good close up vision now (age) so Where is it?

[Gyro10]

Sorted.
Fans coming on = temp sensor not connected. The sensor is well hidden.
Evoscan said temp was -40C.
When connected, 24C.

Checked spark again, igniter being pulsed, tried a plug, got weak spark.
But plug was dry; no fuel.
Suspected fuel supply and return lines were swapped. Redid them.
Ran.

[bigBADbenny]

Awesome, did you get to the missing plug?

[Gyro10]

Temperature sensor.
That is why the fans came on, failsafe condition when the ECU cannot get the temp.

[RX25SE]

Sorted.

Sweet.

[Gyro10]

Well the right head gasket appears to be leaking water... puddles form on the top when it runs, on the head and on the block, either side of the gasket.
Does the strange head torquing method actually work??

[bigBADbenny]

Both the heads and block have out of true spec, but as a rule of thumb, not passing a 1 thou feeler below an engineers square means the heads won’t require decking, and the rotating assy won’t rotate if the block is out of true.

But most would get the heads decked & recoed regardless…

Again, the real specs are in the Field Service Manual…

[Gyro10]

The heads were skimmed.
Multipart metal gaskets installed.

[bigBADbenny]

New orings in crossover pipe?

[Gyro10]

The water pipe that goes across the block?
Never took it off.
Apart from which the water pools on the and on the block. It can't between them at that point.

[Gyro10]

The problems of writing when very tired:

Apart from which the water pools on the head and on the block. It can't between flow them at that point.

[Gyro10]

I looked to see if anyone had similar
https://www.rs25.com/threads/brand-new- ... ed.162555/

Since I used multipart steel gaskets, I reckon the book method does not work.
I set the torque wrench to 40ftlb and undid the head bolts on the right side.
2 managed to make the wrench trigger, so the other bolts were not up to 40.
They should be 70 to 80.
I retorqued them the good old fashioned way. 25,50, then 80 for the inners, 70 for the outers.
Now no leaks.

[bigBADbenny]

Iirc there’s considerations also related to lube both on the washers and threads, as relates to correct torque.

Glad you got to it regardless.