New to me 1998 Outback and some questions

[goin camping]

There I was minding my own business when all of a sudden... the phone rang.

My Buddy Gene called and sadly told me that a client of his was selling the 1998 Outback he had been trying to buy for the last ten years. He couldn't get it because he had just bought a truck. Was I interested?

It's a 98 Outback with Auto, leather, 4 wheel discs, original owner since new with all service records and 80K on the clock. Went and looked at it. Other than a few scratches and one boink on passenger side rear. (One of those short yellow poles in a parking lot got backed into.) Zero rust, interior is perfect.

It needs spark plugs from what I have read but I have a few other questions:

Is there a service cycle for the timing belt?

Is the EJ22 a more reliable engine than the EJ25? If this one blows a gasket I'd replace the whole thing. I love reliability.

Is there a way to raise it a 2 inches with minimal fuss and maintain handling and reliability?

I already have a jeep and a 4X4 Suburban so this little is all new to me and I appreciate your help.

This Subaru will be used for work commuting and dirt roads out in the desert in all seasons. So any other thoughts and suggestions are welcomed.

 

[Hondaslayer]

Timing belt is at 105k
EJ22 is far more reliable and easier to work on. You do lose about 25hp, but a set of Delta cams can make that back up if you wish.

2in lift is doable. Ironman makes springs that would get you close, plus a set of 215/75-15 tires would finish the job. Or body spacers can be used as well.

There is a small, but growing number of weirdos that lift Subarus and take them offroading. Hell, you would be surprised how far good tires and a skid plate will get you.

 

[borison]

I have a 96 OBW 2.2 w/ the 5mt. 122k original, Very reliable. I did the 1.25" strut lifts w/ just an alignment, primative off-road front n rear skids n general grabber at2 tires. I have heard that anything over 1.5" may entail cv joint issues. Love it.

 

[subarubobby]

I just had a set of 1" strut top lift plates made, and stacked them for a 2" lift. I have not had an alignment yet but works great on and off road so far! Also 215/75/15's

 

[Martinjmpr]

I had one pretty much like that except mine was a 99. I sometimes think the EJ25 head gasket issue is magnified by the internet. Mine never had a problem, and I owned it from 42k to 120k with no issues at all. Not sure if an EJ22 replacement would be any cheaper than just fixing the gaskets on an EJ-25, and AFAIK the fix is a one-time deal as long as it's done right.
.
As for the lift, IMO if you already have a couple of capable 4x4s I'd probably just get a decent set of tires and call it good. You aren't going to be plowing through 2' of snow in a Subie, no matter how much lift it has.
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I had a lot of fun with my OBW on the dirt roads of Wyoming, whipping it around corners like a rally car. Can't really do that in a big SUV or pickup (well, not if you want to stay upright, that is.)

 

[14subiexv]

Congrats on getting your Outback! Comming from a "Weirdo" lifted subie owner, the higher you lift your subaru the more the CV joints are going to bind. It would be alright for awhile, but you will be going threw CV axles alot more than if you were to keep the stock suspension. Just keep that in mind. I do agree with most of the people here that just puting bigger tires would help. Personally I wouldn't go over an 1" lift on you Outback if you plan on it being a daily driver.

 

[Hondaslayer]

Martin,

As a former Subaru tech, I would say you got lucky. Failure rate I would say is in the 70% range. It was common enough where Subaru would happily provide out of warranty assistance, or even full coverage without a fight.

 

[Dake21]

Martin,

As a former Subaru tech, I would say you got lucky. Failure rate I would say is in the 70% range. It was common enough where Subaru would happily provide out of warranty assistance, or even full coverage without a fight.

Unless you are in Canada then after the fourth engine they refuse to fix it. lol

 

[BBerry4430]

If that's the original timing belt, have it changed even though it's well below the mileage point. The age of that belt is way past where I would be comfortable.

As for the head gaskets, I've owned a 97, 98, 05, 06 Outback, and a 2010 Forester. The head gaskets went on the 97 with 157k miles and the 06 with only 75k miles. I think it depends on how well it was cared for. The coolant needs to be changed every 30 miles and use genuine Subaru coolant because it has a conditioner in it. Helps considerably.

 

[Theprofessional]

Have fun never breaking that.

the 98 EJ25 is no less reliable than the EJ22 (head gaskets not included)). By that point they have figured out the valtrain issues and converted to a SOCH. If my quad-cam EJ25 from the year prior is any indication of reliability at 292k miles and purs like a kitten......

Don't skip the pulley replacement on the T-belt and CERTAINLY don't reuse that tensioner (a year ago I had total failure of a pulley and tensioner, and almost the engine!) t-Belt is easy as hell to replace.

Don't lift it. ;] Get bigger tires.

 

[Hondaslayer]

For sure.

The EJ25 in my wifes 98' had the headgaskets done at 180k (really can't complain about that) and has had a low end noise since 210k. We are at 278k now and I have an EJ22 in the garage ready to drop in if the EJ25 gives up. I really want to see it through to 300k. After that I don't care about it any more :lol:

 

[Theprofessional]

TBH, I personally am super impressed with the early EJ25. I had a 2005 EJ20 with more rod knock and 1/5 the miles. as long as it's been taken care of....

 

[calicamper]

Our EJ25 started dripping at 65K. Subaru pulled the driver side head put multi layer HG on it returned the car 24hrs later. We beat the stuffing out of that car it was totally fine at 180K when we decided to get the new bigger OB. The 2010 EJ25 has better exhaust porting which caused heat build up in the old car we had. Far superior cooling capacity and has multi layer HG and its been reported its semi closed deck similar to the Turbo engines which were not known for having a typical HG issue. Better yet the heads are so compact that they almost never get damaged due to any sort of over heat or HG failure. Vs say the VW my cousin had $4000 along with a new head finally got his his VW going again. Vs $1500 and a 24hr turn around. LOL Alot to be said for easy to work on Subaru stuff.

 

[goin camping]

I keep checking here so please continue to add your thoughts on my new toy.

Scheduling an appointment for plugs, timing belt, all fluids and a vehicle check from a Subaru shop here in so cal. Did I forget anything?

 

[Hodaka]

If you're doing the timing belt, make sure water pump, tensioner, idlers are all taken care of too. (As already mentioned)
I have 1.25"/1.375" lift in mine, with slightly bigger tires. World of difference over my bro-in-laws with no lift and stock tires.