The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

G'day all,

I'm wondering if the EJ engines, early series 1 & or 2's SOHC units can get a leak that's not easy to detect.

I'm after information and other's experience about this as I've just found my radiator in Ruby Scoo to be super low - admittedly I haven't checked it in ages and there is a little weeping at the thermo fan temp switch that I can't resolve, but I'm a little suspect about it.

I've been lucky so far as this particular unit has been up to 121 degrees working hard in the sand, real slow stuff; frozen (wrong coolant!) and boiled at least one time since then two years ago. Still pulls like a trojan.

If there is a possibility of a small leak I'd rather know about it and deal with it before there are other issues and extra cost to deal with - head shaving etc. I'd also like to know so I can keep an eye on things on the next trip as I won't have the time to deal with it before we leave.

Regards

Bennie

if they are the original headgaskets, there is a chance they are weeping into the cylinder or down the side between thehead and the engine at the back.

an engine sealing agent like silver seal or ... shudder chemiweld can stop the problem.

I found a product whose name I have forgotten that is copper in a suspended solution that I used with great sucess to seal a small leak in my brumby radiator.

getting heads checked and faced is always a good idea when doing head gaskets, unless you do it on the cheap and use form a gasket 515 from locktite

TOONGA

well, according to one source very close to a Subaru workshop, J's can just leak water from between head and block to outside world, visible from underneath. Head gasket is the fix.

All looks good gentlemen. I checked it yesterday and no leaking from between the head and block, but this doesn't rule out an internal HG leak. I did find my radiator has developed a leak that looks like it evaporates before it makes it to the ground I might give that copper seal stuff a go.

I've also got black crud under the radiator cap. Dunno what that is - anyone know?

She still purrs at idle, doesn't miss or lack any pull through he rev range. I guess a compression check would show up something...

Cheers

Bennie

El_Freddo wrote:All looks good gentlemen. I checked it yesterday and no leaking from between the head and block, but this doesn't rule out an internal HG leak. I did find my radiator has developed a leak that looks like it evaporates before it makes it to the ground I might give that copper seal stuff a go.

yeah it fixed a similar small leak I had with no blocking of the cores or head channels

El_Freddo wrote: I've also got black crud under the radiator cap. Dunno what that is - anyone know?

uhh oh ... does it feel like grease?

have you had a previous engine with a head gasket let go on that radiator and heater core?

my vortex had this under the radiator cap a little while ago I was convinced I had a blown head gasket, then I remembered I never flushed the heater core when I got the car. the previous engine (EA82) had a massive gasket leak into the engine and a small one into the cooling. hence the goop under the cap

El_Freddo wrote: She still purrs at idle, doesn't miss or lack any pull through he rev range. I guess a compression check would show up something...

Cheers

Bennie

yep a compression check and the CO2 test
good luck with it Bennie

TOONGA

Black crap under the cap can be from combustion = slight head/head gasket leak.
Most mechanics have a tester for this or you can buy them online/repco/bursons etc.

Thanks Gents!

Plan is to do a flush tomorrow, then refill with some clean water and the sealant, which is actually a glass pack.

Then go through that process, flush and refill with demineralised water and my Techaloy anti freeze anti boil.

Then I'll start saving for a new radiator and start gathering the parts for the head gasket work...

Hopefully this sealant will do the job on the radiator for this trip, that's the main thing!

Cheers

Bennie