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My 1998 Liberty RX sedan has a seized engine. Does anyone know of reputable organisations in metro Melbourne (SE suburbs) that can supply and fit a change-over or second-hand motor? I'm getting a quote from a Subaru dealership but suspect the cost will be significant so I'd like to know the alternatives.

G'day winabby!

Sorry to hear about your motors seized. I don't know anyone that'll be able to do an exchange motor for you but someone will.

The other thing to consider is an engine rebuild. I don't know the cost of having someone do this but I'd reckon it'll be heaps cheaper than a new donk from subaru.

Check out ebay as there's alway motors for sale there. Just try and get one that's from the same year and model as your subi.

Being an RX I guess its an EJ25? It'll have a little cast in the block just near the alternator on the left (your left) if you need to verify the size of your motor. just put a decimal place between the two numbers and you'll have its capacity in litres

Hope this is of some help.

Cheers

Bennie

Thanks Bennie. Yes, it's a 2.5 litre. Found a 130,000 km motor in a wreckers for $1300. Just checking my options before I jump.

Make sure its EJ25 DOHC or SOHC, is yours 2nd Gen Liberty RX or 3rd Gen Liberty RX? (why? because 2nd Gen Liberty has DOHC and 3rd Gen Liberty has SOHC 2.5 litre and thats where people do get confused)

Yeah contact these people that they might help to install as they're subaru people -
SubaBits in Clayton
Volksbaru in Airport west
There is an Subaru mechanic on Heatheron road Dandenong but forgot what the name of the place.

What has gone wrong with your EJ25 (ie. how did it seize? blown headgasket?)

If it was me, I would rebuild it to keep it original equipment under the bonnet - have you checked the prices options? (just that its an gamble if that 2nd engine will last you for a while that you don't know the history of it, I know kms are low but you really dont know until 3 years time! whereabout the rebuilt engine has warranty - all are different types and its basically like brand new engine but rebuilt - thats my comment - you dont have to accept what I said)
Cheers
AP

The engine is an EJ25D so it's a DOHC - 2nd generation? On the plate in the engine compartment it says the engine type is EJ25DNWDJE. Do all those letters mean anything?

As an aside, why did 3rd generation engines go to SOHC from DOHC? What was the technical reason?

To answer the earlier question I was doing 100 kmh on the Hume Highway when the motor presumably ran out of oil. No warning lights appeared and it wasn't until I heard the 'death rattle' that I knew something was wrong. By the time I'd coasted to a stop the damage was done - a seized motor.

Bugger! Have you looked into having it rebuilt yet?

Cheers

Bennie

Subaru had problems with overheating issues & blown head gaskets due the design on DOHC 2.5 litres, that is possibly why they went to SOHC in 3rd Gen...
But I think these turbo'd EJ25 are DOHC which is in current impreza/wrx.

If I were you, I would tear down the engine and get it rebuilt that way you know the step by step of the build and you know its history.

Sorry to ask another question - what was burning the oil off?
Cheers
AP

Just wondering you said the oil light didn't come on you didn't notice it not coming on when you first turn the ignition before you started the car.

That's interesting about blown head gaskets in DOHC engines. The head gasket blew on my original engine after about 100,000 km. Had it repaired through Subaru Docklands but they didn't tighten the belt idler assembly properly and it fell off a week or so later, which resulted in the valves hitting the pistons. They accepted liability and replaced the motor free of charge, which impressed me. Interestingly, that changeover motor had an oil leak and was also replaced free, so the car has had three engines so far.

I haven't traced the reason for the loss of oil in the current engine.

Oh okay fair enough, I'm just curious for future reference that is why I asked.
3rd engine.. doesnt sound good...
Cheers
AP

I thought the DOHC EJ25s had a faulty headgasket from the factory, hence the replacement, I'm sure there was a sort of recall that occured.

Three engines is a milestone for a subi of that age, its also the exception of the reliable subi name

All the best with it!

Cheers

Bennie

Volks- Baru . 1362 Heatherton Road, Dandenong. PH.9793 5655
John Bailey....he rebuilt my twin port EA81.