Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2020 00:23:45 +0000
Reply-To: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: Subaru 2.5 issues
In-Reply-To: <BB580A08-30E9-4287-9171-4F7AC7E7822D@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
I totally love the Subie 2.2 KEP conversion after 60K miles. Power is just right; enough to get up the grades and tackle the mountain roads, yet not enough to strain the CV joints and the tranny. And 22+ MPG is also very nice. All that re-gearing stuff?....no way for me.
I will say this though..my motor came from a reputable guy (Steve in Alpine, CA). Conversion was done (drive in, drive out) by California Westys in El Cajon. Super happy!
Here is the thing though: the motor and heads are all top notch. But...it's the ancillary things. In my case, it was the Idle Air Control Valve (IACV). Also, the Throttle Body. Both were from original motor. So..it took a couple hours of cleaning with CRC Throttle Body cleaner on the IACV and also the Throttle Body. They were black and nasty. Actually, it was easy and satisfying work to clean them up. New gaskets, all cleaned up. Very nice. It has taken several (like 15) times for the ECU to come up to speed and re-learn with the cleaned components, but now am very happy.
Rich
San Diego
On Monday, October 26, 2020, 9:28:23 PM PDT, Stephen Edwards <chibicyclist@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi everyone,
I’m on my second Vanaru conversion. I had the first one for about ten years, it was our daily driver putting on an average of 35-40 city miles a day, and when we replaced it, it had nothing to do with engine failure!
Both times I used the legendary EJ22, a 2.2 liter engine from mid-90’s Subaru Legacies. The first had about 50k miles on it when I installed it, of course we did timing belt and water pump while we had it out, that was all and we ran it for about 150k miles after that. Never had any head gasket issues, replaced the timing belt on schedule. The second engine had over 125k when we installed it, ditto.
The 2.2 engines are non-interference and they increase your horsepower from 90 to 142 bhp. As many Subie conversion owners will tell you, it feel like the engine they should have put in it to begin with. It’s not a dragster but you get to pull into traffic, pass trucks or climb hills just like a normal person. Two years ago we drove over the Rockies between Yellowstone and Denver and were more than keeping up with traffic.
In both cases we used the most basic, tried and tested kit which is from KEP - Kennedy Engineered Products - in California. I had the pleasure of talking to the original designer, Hobert Kennedy one time and he assured me that I did not need taller gears, those engines will happily spin up to 6,000 revs, hitting peak power at 5,600.
So, if you can find a decent 2.2, go for it. I get that the 2.5’s are more recent, but the older engine gets the job done just fine and you’ll love it.
Steve Edwards, in Chicago with an 88 Vanagon (my sixth. I think)
> On Oct 26, 2020, at 11:00 PM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:
>
> There are 3 messages totalling 183 lines in this issue.
>
> Topics of the day:
>
> 1. Subaru 2.5 issues (2)
> 2. Trickle charger on hard to access House Battery
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2020 22:48:06 -0600
> From: Gil Ngai <eyebawlgil@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Re: Subaru 2.5 issues
>
> I've had a long list of Subarus since the mid '80s. All the 2.5s around
> 02-to at least 2012 had the famous head gasket early failure issue. It's
> all over the internet. Was the gasket replaced before you installed it
> to your van?
>
> Gil Ngai
> =E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=
> =80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=
> =A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=
> =E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=
> =80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=
> =A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2
> *GIL NGAI* =E2=80=A2 *I TELL GOOD STORIES*
> *cinematographer =E2=80=A2 **chief storyteller *
> *www.dayonemedia.ca <http://www.dayone-media.com/> *
> | *gilngai.branded.me <http://gilngai.branded.me/>*
>
> On Sun, Oct 25, 2020 at 4:05 PM Gil Ngai <gil@dayonemedia.ca> wrote:
>
>> I've had a long list of Subarus since the mid '80s. All the 2.5s around
>> 02-to at least 2012 had the famous head gasket early failure issue. It's
>> all over the internet. Was it replaced before you installed it to your va=
> n?
>>
>>
>> *Gil Ngai*
>> Chief Storyteller
>>
>> *We Tell Your Story.*
>> *President, Calgary Professional Videographers Association*
>> *Instructor, Video & Graphic Design, Mt. Royal University*
>> =E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=
> =E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=
> =80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=
> =A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=
> =E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=
> =80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=
> =A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=
> =E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2=E2=80=A2
>> *www.dayonemedia.ca <http://www.dayone-media.com/> *| 403.277.9903 | *gi=
> lngai.branded.me
>> <http://gilngai.branded.me/>*
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Oct 25, 2020 at 12:26 PM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I wish I could offer good advice on the 2.5 but I don=E2=80=99t know tha=
> t set up.
>>>
>>> I expect that we are going to see more questions like this on this list
>>> so hopefully those with knowledge on this engine or this type situation =
> can
>>> help.
>>> It would be good for the OP to get answers on this topic in this thread.
>>>
>>> Alfred, If you can start a second thread on your 1.9 I=E2=80=99d love to=
> hear
>>> about it=E2=80=99s history and current milege.
>>>
>>> I opted to do an engine conversion but went from 1.9 to 2.3 water boxer.
>>>
>>>
>>> Eric Caron
>>> 85 GL Auto
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Oct 25, 2020, at 1:51 PM, abagdan <abagdan@SHAW.CA> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> The Subaru engines have problems with head gaskets. Just google
>>> =E2=80=9CSubaru Engine issues=E2=80=9D .
>>>> I was contemplating doing the engine conversion, but changed my mind.
>>> The 1.9 litre in my 85 Vanagon still runs fine after 35 years.
>>>>
>>>> Alfred
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>>>>
>>>> From: Bill MacLachlan
>>>> Sent: October 25, 2020 10:53 AM
>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>> Subject: Subaru 2.5 issues
>>>>
>>>> H
>>>
>>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2020 10:54:49 -0400
> From: Jack R <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
> Subject: Re: Trickle charger on hard to access House Battery
>
> I installed this unit, and it charges both batteries as well as keeping =
> them maintained, when plugged into shore power. I've been VERY happy =
> with this, and the price is great!
>
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F5EBR1C/ref=3Dppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title=
> _o08_s00?ie=3DUTF8&psc=3D1
>
> Very easy to hook up to the batteries too.
>
> Jack
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf =
> Of Richard Koerner
> Sent: Saturday, October 24, 2020 6:05 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Trickle charger on hard to access House Battery
>
> Mine is an 85 tintop. I added the GoWesty auxillary battery setup 12 =
> years ago with a group 41 Walmart battery. I'll have to check my =
> records to see if I've ever replaced that battery. Here is the kit: =
> Auxiliary Battery Kit [1980-83 Air-Cooled Camper and 1980-91 =
> Non-Campers] | GoWesty
>
> | | |=20
> Auxiliary Battery Kit [1980-83 Air-Cool...
> |
>
>
> I added a bunch of cabinetry to my van behind driver seat, making access =
> to the Aux Battery a little hard to get to. I also used a Greenlee =
> sheet metal punch to provide a hole just behind parking brake lever to =
> add a 12 VDC cigarette lighter socket; the idea was to have a convenient =
> port operating directly off Aux Battery (I added an inline fuse). The =
> setup has been working just fine these last 12 years; at least I think =
> so, it always works and I'm assuming the alternator via the relay in the =
> kit is doing it's job; my camping electrical needs are very minimal, but =
> I do run a laptop and some interior lighting; and also for charging =
> phone and camera batteries.
> But with Covid, my travels lately have really declined. So....I got =
> this bright idea that maybe I should trickle charge my Aux Battery with =
> a cigarette plug into the nearby outlet and connected to my trickle =
> charge? I assume there will be minimal Hydrogen gas being emitted =
> during the charging process but should quickly rise and ventilate out of =
> garage. I assume all of this would work and be safe...but wanted to =
> pass it by the Vanagon brain trust before I do it.
> Rich
> San Diego
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2020 08:06:15 -0700
> From: Cunegonde <cunegonde.van.westfalia@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Re: Subaru 2.5 issues
>
> I've used several lists/forums to consult on maintaining Subarus 1989-2015. T=
> he head gasket issue, bilaterally, was ubiquitous, along with loud valve cla=
> tter (unrelated, fortunately).
>
> IME the head gasket failure rarely leads to cylinder/piston ring or wrist/co=
> nnector/main bearing damage. Cylinder wear @ > 180k miles if the engine was w=
> ell-maintained - even if that meant pouring more oil through it than a 2-str=
> oke. Of course make sure the timing belts are replaced with the gaskets. The=
> water pump should be replaced if substantial oil seeped into the coolant. A=
> Subaru specialist mechanic will be familiar with all the details, they've r=
> evived a lot of gasket failures.
>
> I love Subaru engines (in Subaru cars!), but didn't have the $ when Cunegond=
> e needed a transplant. Went with a rebuilt 2.1l which is reliable and slight=
> ly less underpowered than the 83.5 1.9l.=20
>
> Best wishes in a quick & competent repair!=
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of vanagon Digest - 25 Oct 2020 to 26 Oct 2020 (#2020-339)
> **************************************************************
| 
