tedinorbit Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 Background: 1997 Subaru Legacy 2.2L with 156k miles on it. Purchased in 2010 and ran great from 2010-2017. My Legacy recently broke down while parallel parking. The car was towed to a mechanic where they diagnosed that the water pump locked up, causing the timing belt to tear, and doing damage to the engine. The estimated repairs from this shop was more than I was willing to pay to repair it, however it is possible to repair. Does anyone want it for 600? The quote from the mechanic was 3k for the parts and 2k for the labor but people over at the Subaru subreddit seemed to think it would be much lower if you are handy. 12V battery was replaced this summer. Tires are in very good condition, less than one year old. Can be parted for sale as well. I tried to add pictures but kept failing to attach. Here is a Google Photos album instead https://photos.app.goo.gl/umDdJijLJ7ztg7KD3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtdash Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 too bad you're too far away...looks clean.. That's an interference engine, so probably has bent valves. Swap in another EJ22 from a '96-'98, or read up on other swap options. also, suggest you move this in the the marketPlace/For Sale section for more views. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivant Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 That model engine should be a non-interference one. You may find that there is no internal engine damage at all, and that a new water pump and timing belt is all that is required to get it going again. Get a second opinion before you either get it fixed or sell it. Garage could be looking to make a killing out of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtdash Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Incorrect. All '97 and newer were interference. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_EJ_engine As stated about a jillion times online. Really-I counted. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivant Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 My 97 ej22 engine has had a broken timing belt while the engine was going at highway speed. Had it replaced, and then fired it up with no problems at all. I've even replaced it incorrectly myself once, then reinstalled it, and had no problems at all. There's no way in the world that this engine is an interference one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtdash Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 You either got real lucky Or it's not a '97....I don't know what else.... or the fact that you're Down Under. In '97+, the CR went up due to the pistons, which could strike the valves. Per Wiki link (and to be extra clear, this is NOT a Phase 2 / II engine; that was the '99-'01 EJ222.) Beginning in the 1997 model year, the 2.2-litre engine for 1997 Legacy and Impreza models had internal and external changes that yield an approximately 10% increase in power and 3% increase in fuel economy. Accomplishing this involves many factors, one of which is engine friction reduction. The pistons were coated with molybdenum to reduce friction. The thin coating reduces moving friction and reduces cylinder wall scuffing. The piston skirt was reshaped and the piston weight was reduced by approximately 100 grams. Compression ratio was increased to 9.7:1 by reshaping the piston crown. This eliminates the clearance that was available between the piston at TDC and the fully opened valve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivant Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 I think I may have the answer. Looking at my registration papers, I see that my car was registered in early 97, after it arrived in the country. It's regarded as a 97 model on the paperwork, but it looks like it was manufactured in 96, and 96 dates on the bodywork seem to confirm that. So my ej22 engine is a 96 one. Non-interference, and still going strong after more than 250ks on the clock. I am led to believe that this engine is bullet proof. It's certainly the best most reliable engine that I have ever owned. It's just a shame that people are throwing them away here now, just because they're old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtdash Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Interesting....in the USA, each Model Year vehicle starts production in the late summer or fall of the previous year ....in some cases even earlier. So a '97 might be built in '96. For example, my 1996 Legacy Outback (sold) was built in November of '95....which caused me grief buying new front brake pads as they changed in January of '96 - guess which (wrong) version I bought? :-( One way to tell the difference? In '96 the heads were Single-Port Exhaust and although they still had the HLA (hydraulic lash adjusters) valve adjusters, Subaru updated them with roller-rocker cam follower assembly (not sure what you'd call it down there). In '97 they changed to the SLA/ screw (solid?) lash adjusters w/the roller-rockers. You'd have to pull a valve cover to check and that's just an invitation for a leak. Regardless, glad yours was not harmed, but in the OP's case it appears that unless they had an unscrupulous mechanic, they're out of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivant Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 We don't have that parts problem here, because when you go into a parts shop, they ask you for the number on your number plate, and it brings up everything about your car on their computer. It's a good system, as you always get the right part for your car. There's technology for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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