Which model years had piston slap & head gasket problem?

[ed]

Looking at buying a used Subaru, anyone know which model years had the
piston slap and leaking head gasket problem?

 

[jakkerma]

I owned a 1995 legacy 2.0 na hydraulic lifters, which started to rattle in
the morning after 100000 km.
Drove to 230000km though, I think it would have lasted to 300k
After that I owned a 1997 Impreza 2.0 na, mechanical lifters, also started
to rattle after 100k,
swapped it after 220k, still in ok condition. Now I drive a 2000 Legacy 2.5
na phase1.
Blew a headgasket after 50k..., but no piston slap yet.

 

[Edward Hayes]

2.5L engine from 1997 and 1999 had blown head gasket problems, but in
reality only a very small percentage had any problem. The 2.5L engine
from 2000 on to ? had occasional head gasket weeping problems that
forced Subaru to recommend a "cooling system conditioner" be install
free resulting in an 8 year 100,000 mile system warranty. My 91,000
mile 2000 Forester is fine. Head gasket weeping seems to be a problem
with most all manufactures today and install a conditioner in at the
factory. Piston slap I don't have it in 91,000 miles on my 2000
Forester but, then I do an easy break-in for 2,000 miles to get
everything polished instead of grinding the pieces into place by
beating my engine. JMHO

 

[Paul]

Looking at buying a used Subaru, anyone know which model years had the
piston slap and leaking head gasket problem?

I have a 1993 impreza, 1.8L manual, and absolutely no problems. I have
179,000 miles on it, doesnt burn any oil, and my mom has the same year
and her's has 299,000 miles on it and still runs great. I can definately
vouch for this engine.

Paul


--
Paul Johnson
Graduate Student - Mechanical Engineering
University of Florida - Gainesville, Fl
http://plaza.ufl.edu/redboots

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[Tom Reingold]

So are there preventative things we can do?

I have a 2000 Legacy L wagon.

Tom

 

[Edward Hayes]

Subaru has a "cooling system conditioner" that they will put into the
radiator. When done, Subaru will extend the warranty for cooling
system seepage to 8 years or 100,000 miles. Contact www.Subaru.com and
email them with your vehicles vin # and thy will get you the
information. There was a recall for this and I was sent a letter
stating what to do.