HG or Rings or Valve Seals?? Plz Help

[kyrien989]

2004 Legacy 35th Anniversary Edition 5speed 158k miles ej251 NA non turbo

Appears to be stock metal single layer head gasket.

No leaks. No loss of coolant in 2500 miles. Not overheating. No power loss.

Massive oil consumption. 1 quart in under 100 miles. Doesn’t smoke out of oil filler neck with cap off. Doesn’t smoke out exhaust consistently. Will bellow large cloud of smoke intermittently.

Can’t afford to have leak down/compression test done by shop.

Question is this: would bad head gasket cause my oil consumption and not over heat? Or ringland failure more likely culprit even with no loss of performance? Should I replace head gaskets and do nothing else? Replace head gaskets and valve stem seals? Or just do motor swap? Which would be a poor man’s best option. Literally can’t afford to do anything but one of these options

You pull has a wrecked outback that has the triple layer head gaskets. Engine is clean and no leaks. Totaled so ran before wreck. Unknown mileage. Engine is $350

 

[Ecmbuster]

It's cheaper to replace the engine providing it has none of your related problems.
Oil consumption:
Valve guide oil seals
Valve guide wear
Piston wear
Damaged piston oil rings
Defective PCV
Defective head gasket
Cylinder head to deck resurfacing
Oxidized aluminum mating surfaces
Cylinder head warp

 

[kyrien989]

I agree with you. I just would hate to pull a motor and be in same situation or overheats etc i can’t find a used motor that’s verified running for under $800. You pull it I’ve found multiple and what I think is best candidate is out of a 03 outback that’s totaled. Had the triple layer head gasket, no visible head gasket leaks underneath or on top. Relatively dry underneath like my car there isn’t even a coating of oil. Unknown mileage but since totaled It ran before the wreck. Since I pull it. Price is $350