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While going to adjust the tappets om my ea81, I noticed to my horror that i have a sump full of water.


There is a small (barley noticeable) drop in the water in the radiator. And Ive noticed on a cold start the motor knocks for a few seconds on starting.


Should I suspect a head gasket? welch plug? Or my least preferred option a head?:???:

before starting it again do a compression test (above 160 psi is good below 120psi is very not good) and note while doing it that if the head gasket is blown one or more cylinders may blow water

having said that it could be a welch plug or a cracked head

TOONGA

I'd change the buttermilk out for some engine oil and then keep an eye on things. The EA81 heads have welch plugs that go and leak water into the crankcase. Some silverseal in the rad water may be a temporary fix - i find it at autopro for about 5 bucks. But, drop of oil in rad water sounds head gasketish.

Now, does your oil pressure light work? your temp gauge work? Have you got it hot recently or left it out to freeze over without antifreeze - really seems to help a gasket give up!

Thanks guys, Turns out 4 out of the 6 welch plugs in the head where leaking, One had half rotten away.

Noticed while i was doing it though, One of my push rods sits about 3mm lower than the rest. Im suspecting a worn cam runner, would it be an easy fix?

Also got offered a ej20 conversion out of a Forrester, would it be worth it or is there a More powerful motor to look for

depends what year forrester and how good you are with wireing

1990Brumby wrote:out of a Forrester, would it be worth it or is there a More powerful motor to look for

yeah that'd be a fantastic upgrade for your car. Pretty much same power as an EJ22 except the EJ20 will be much newer and probably lower kms so much better in the long run.

Yes there are more powerful motors to look out for, if you see a 2009 STI WRX motor for a bargain grab that instead!

The ej20 comes with loom and everything ill need to run it, all for 2k

if its post 1997 make sure you get the imobiliser and the key with it or the ecu will never let the engine start

unless someone on here has figured a way around the imobiliser

and the ring that goes around the ign too