The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

hey all, i have a 1999 subaru impreza RX which has done roughly around 220000 kms..

so i took my car to the mechanics and they told me that my head gasket was gone.

and they suggested that i get a second hand engine and get that installed rather than repairing the head gasket.

i was wondering what everyone's thoughts on that are, whether i should get an engine or repair it or buy a new car?

and does anyone know any good place that sell second hand impreza engines and where i can get them fitted?

i live in brisbane


thanks in advance

depends is the rest of your engine in good condition? the issue with 2nd hand engines is that generally its hard to know the history, most should come with the ODO of the engine and should have compression test but this does not guarantee its any better then yours.
what im trying to say is that if your engine is good then once the gasket is done there shouldn't be anymore issues were as the 2nd hand engine could do a head gasket a week after installation then your back to square one.

Don't get a used engine, if yours is fine just do the head gasket. I've been down the road of used engines and for a while I was going through more engines than sets of tyres on the damn car.

oil in water, water in oil, comp between cylinders, leaking oil or water from the gasket to the outside world ?? Dunno about EJ's but some EAs with mild steel welch plugs rot out leaking water into oil....giving blown HG signs......