Engine out for head gaskets - what else to check?

by **Jonty** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 3:47 pm

So my wife's new 3.0R-B wagon is currently at the Subaru dealer with the engine out getting the head gaskets replaced, heads machined etc. A bad purchase on my part, but to the dealer's credit, they are covering it all

The car has 90,000km on it, so I was thinking I'd get them to do the belts etc while the engine is out to save on labour etc. Now I see the 3.0's have a timing chain, so a timing chain change is probably not required.

Given the engine has been pretty well cooked, is there anything else I should be asking them to check or do while the engine is out? If they're worth their $'s, they will do this anyway, but a conversation now might save us hassles further down the track.

by **Robbks** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 3:52 pm

Is it auto or manual?
if manual, may not be too far away from a new clutch anyway.

check AVCS system, they are notorious for having issues with solenoids/ filters

by **Jonty** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:14 pm

It's an auto, so no clutch to worry about thankfully

Thanks for the feedback on the AVCS!

by **Tradewind** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 8:16 pm

Robbks wrote:Is it auto or manual?
if manual, may not be too far away from a new clutch anyway.

check AVCS system, they are notorious for having issues with solenoids/ filters

Where are the AVCS filters? would love to know

by **Dropz** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 8:24 pm

Check the idlers for the serpentine belt and it's condition and replace the spark plugs. Wouldn't be a bad idea to get the rear main and front crank seals replaced and the cam seals.

by **Dropz** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 8:28 pm

Get coolant, thermostat Oring and oil and filter done too. They always replace oil but not normally a filter. And sometimes they reuse the coolant if it's not needed, but it wouldn't hurt. Get them to check radiator hoses, water pump, and auto trans cooler hoses that go into the radiator. Make sure the radiator isn't weaping from the top or bottom tanks too. Can't think of anything else.

by **Jonty** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 9:15 pm

Thanks heaps Dropz. Some good points there, will have a chat to them about it

by **Dropz** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 10:37 pm

No problems

by **senator** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 6:11 am

Thermostat
New water pump
New top and bottom hoses
APR head studs
Multi layer metal head gasket
Replace all pulleys and tensioners
All gaskets: rocker cover, spak plugs etc
Spark plugs, check condition of coil pack clips

by **wally09** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 7:20 am

Forged internals and a raptor sc

by **Jonty** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 9:02 am

Now we're getting serious! Head studs? This is our family car which will be mostly driven by my wife

It may end up with an exhaust and a tune, but that's about it

I have my Evo 7 for fun :wink:

Some good suggestions in there though

Hopefully we get it back in the next few days and I'll take some pics and start a thread on it. I do a bit of detailing as a hobby too, so it will get the full treatment

by **Jonty** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:52 am

So they've pulled down the engine and found major damage to the bores, warped heads etc etc. Engine is wrecked and needs big $'s spent and lots of time off the road :shock:

I've asked the dealer to take the car back and give me a refund, which thankfully they are doing. I have another 3.0R-B wagon in mind, so should hopefully have that within the next week or two. What a saga...

by **smythie** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:17 am

Holy carp! Now that's a lemon

Good to hear the dealer is doing the right thing for you

by **Nottage969** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:41 am

Wow, lucky boy with the dealer indeed! Glad to hear you managed to get out of that lemon purchase relatively un-scarred! Good luck with your on going search

by **Jonty** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:45 am

I'm guessing these 3.0 EZ30D engines aren't that easy to come by in used form either? E.g. front cuts or engine/loom combo's?