What is so bad about the mid 90's EJ25?

[dumbskate]

I have heard a bit of gutter talk about this engine. I have had plenty of EJ20's and TT without issues but never a 2.5. I am looking at a cheap non-turbo 2.5 to use for a while as a run around but I don't want to end up buying dog if they engine design is a liability.

Thoughts?

[funkytown]

yer they have a rep for eating headgaskets.

[dumbskate]

But don't all EJ's to that ;D

[funkytown]

 dumbskate said:

But don't all EJ's to that ;D

not like the 2.5's do

[dumbskate]

So what are my odds with a well serviced 150K one? still better than a "who knows where its been" EJ20? or should I just avoid altogether.

[Shale]

If I had the option between a 'Well serviced well loved' 250T and a 'God knows with this damn thing' HX20s... if the HX wasn't blowing smoke, idling rough or making funny sounds then I'd go for the ol' 20E-powered indestructo in a heartbeat. I've given mine 182,000km of hell and it's happy as ever...it'll never blow a HG most likely ;D I'd have to drive like a doofus on track, starve it of oil and blow a BEB. Even then I don't think it'll go half fast enough to.

The 2.5 is bored out significantly over the wee EJ20; AFAIK this is the root of the problems. Some of these have blown HGs even after having the first one replaced with the thicker, meatier product. This is exactly what happened to Drunkenmonkey's brother's car. In fact... it got replaced with a twin EJ20E to my car's ;D

They are torquey beasts... but I will still lulz @ u when (not if, when) the HGs go.

Why not buy Huffer's wagon? Mighty wee Impreza that won't chew the gas but will certainly perform.

[dumbskate]

Fair point.

[Guest]

I think the original headgaskets in many of the EJ25s were not upto the task. I have replaced the gaskets in a Grand Wagon and the specified replacement gaskets were superior to what came out (the originals) I have heard other similar stories where one the gaskets have been changed there are no further issues.

[ReubenH]

They will blow HG's every second tuesday, without warning, no matter how nice you are to the car. The phase 2 ones still do it, but not to the same extent.

The only 2.5 i'd touch is the semi closed 257.

If you want a run around, you simply cannot beat the EJ22E or EJ20E. The sohc's just keep going and going and going and going and going and going...