2.5L engines

[George Adams]

When did Subaru change from the DOHC design to the SOHC version?
Are the newer engines just as prone to head gasket falure, oil seal problems,
and piston slap as the older models?
Are the SOHC engines interference designs?

TIA

George - proud owner of a 1998 Forester, purchased new, currently with 200,500
miles on the odo.




George Adams

"All good fishermen stay young until they die, for fishing is the only dream of
youth that doth not grow stale with age."
---- J.W Muller

 

[Edward Hayes]

My 2000 Forester has a SOHC 2.5L engine which was the change over year. SOHC
models had some HG weeping problems for which SOA increased warranty to 8
years/100,000 miles IF you returned vehicle to have a cooling system
conditioner put in. The more serious problem of HG blowing into the cooling
system was resolved with the Phase 2 engine.

 

[Spinifex]

AUSTRALIA

Can somebody give a quick description of "interference design" motor???

And also, are the new Suby engines all SOHC now??? I remember my old RS
Turbo Liberty (Legacy) was DOHC on each bank

Spinifex

91 Liberty (Australian Legacy) RS Turbo AWD Manual 2.0 T
85 Leone FWD 1.8 NA
01 Liberty AWD 2.0 NA

 

[David]

AUSTRALIA

Can somebody give a quick description of "interference design" motor???

If the timing chain or belt breaks, do the pistons hit the valves? Changes it from
a relatively minor repair to a major one.

 

[Edward Hayes]

And according to SOA ALL 2.5L engines are interference engines so change the
timing belt on schedule.