I may have the worst luck ever with engines.

[Brent Mills]

Any of you around this place long enough know that I can't buy luck with engines. I'm so bummed right now.

I was missing a bit and started pulling plugs...of course, the last one I pull (#8), and there's water on the friggin plug. Dang gumbit!!! Ok, that's not exactly what I said. Women and children wouldn't have wanted to be around when I saw that.

Time to yank the head, but it dawned on me. With head studs, I'll bet I have to at least jack up the stupid engine to pull them. Jayzus. While I'm at it, should I pull both heads or??? Any other suggestions for my sorry a$$?

[Rick Parker]

Brent: Get 2 thin Jamb nut and after removing all regular nuts holding the head, put the jamb nuts on the stud and lock them down against each other and remove the various cylinder head studs. Good luck. Sorry ............

[Excaliber]

My heads are 'studs' too, high riser studs at that.

Seriously, I can remove my heads but I DO have to take off a motor mount and jack up the engine for one side. I'm not crazy about the idea of removing the studs from the block myself. One side or both? As for me, I would do only the side that has a problem.

Whew, you do have some bad luck with motors Brent, I feel bad for you man.

[RICK LAKE]

First relax, Is it possible that the intake gasket is leaken into the #8 intake port. Before you go crazy, try and pressure test the coolant system. Next if you have an air compressor pressurize the cylinder with 100 psi and see if any bubbnle come out the coolant overfill tank. Is there any coolant in the oil? Start here first. As far as removing studs they sell a socket that fits over the top and has 3 roller pins in side. They put pressure on the threads with stripping them. 3/8" racket needed. You can install the studs the same way with the head in place. Where the heads ported to the MAX??? and who's heads are they? I hope it is a gasket Brent. Rub the bottle three times and wish Rick L.

[PatBuckley]

Brent -

Go to your local Subaru dealer and get a bottle of Subaru cooling system conditioner - put it in your cooling system, drive the car for 45 minutes and check the plugs again.

It is worth the try.

Pat

[Rick Parker]

Good idea Pat

But will Metric cooling system conditioner work on a car that has SAE threads?

[PatBuckley]

Only if you use .80 of the recommended amount.

Seriously - the conditioner I mentioned is not like that thick stuff (Barsleak?) you normally see and it works really well.

[Commander]

"Any of you around this place long enough know that I can't buy luck with engines. I'm so bummed right now."

Just what is the history on this engine?

Did you have it built somewhere, or did you build it?

When were the heads off last?

[Brent Mills]

Thanks Pat/Rick. It's not leaking at the intake unfortunately. Will that stuff work for a head gasket? Seems like I shouldn't rely on that for the head.

As for the engine, it's professionaly built and under 800 miles. There is no history with this engine....just every single other one I've ever owned and now including this one. Damn this pisses me off.

[PatBuckley]

Brent - that stuff is designed for head gaskets.

[Rick Parker]

Brent do as Pat said. What you are attempting do do is reseal a low pressure (7#-15#) leak in the coolant transfer passages between block & head. This is much like a ("Radiator leak") in that when pressure is developed in the cooling system it has compromised one of many transfer hole seals between block & head. Give the product Pat suggests or if Subaru is not nearby; go to Chevrolet or any GM dealer. Part # 12378254 $4.69. It is a package of 2 or 3 large pellets (1' diameter) that are put in the cooling system, they disolve and seal the problem. Very common for the techs to pop them in a cooling system as preventative maintenance if they have had to remove the heads or manifold during a repair. Do this before expending the effort in remiving the head. It works!

[Brent Mills]

Should I be concerned about the water washing the cylinder and causing other problems? Not questioning either of you guys for any other reason than to learn.

[Rick Parker]

If the product does the job it will seal and the residual water will burn off. Before starting it be sure there isn't a lot of standing water in the suspect cylinder that would cause hydraulic lock. Look down the spark plug hole if you can or insert a wooden dowel and use it like a "dipstick". The engine will have to come up to temp and circulate the coolant to effectively seal the leak.

[CHANMADD]

I have also used Barsleak with success in the past.Make sure you drain and flush the coolant before treatment.Don't use a stop leak that is just added to the coolant,they don't work! I am a used car dealer and this has worked with great success.

[CHANMADD]

Mostly I have found when this starts to happen the engine builder did not deck the block before assembly.Check the top of the block with a metal straight edge.Good luck.

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by CHANMADD

I have also used Barsleak with success in the past.Make sure you drain and flush the coolant before treatment.Don't use a stop leak that is just added to the coolant,they don't work! I am a used car dealer and this has worked with great success.

LMFAO

[lineslinger]

Originally Posted by CHANMADD

I have also used Barsleak with success in the past.Make sure you drain and flush the coolant before treatment.Don't use a stop leak that is just added to the coolant,they don't work! I am a used car dealer and this has worked with great success.

Sounds like this technique has been used more than once

[cobred]

If a gasket is leaking I doubt the sealant will work. It may work for a little while but will probably let go at an inconvenient time. You probably have a large investment in that engine, its best to find the cause and fix it correctly. My .02. Did you call the builder?

[Brent Mills]

Haven't called the builder...Weekend unfortunately. I'm calling Monday and will go from there.

[bnewell]

Brent ~ sorry to hear about your troubles..........I think I broke a rocker arm today on my motor. At least I hope thats all it is. I will know more Monday when the shop tears into it.