9 replies to this topic

[Dylan720]

Hi all my 2004 liberty has a issue with the cooling system it's got the h6 3 litre engine. The issue im having is the system pressurises then all the coolant blows out the resivour. I did notice the radiator cap broken when I took it off im assuming that peaces of the cap are inside the radiator just wondering what's the beat way to tell if there is something in there possibly blocking it and the best way to get it out If there is. Any help would be much appreciated thanks.

[Barbbachello]

Pull off the radiator hoses and run a garden hose through the inlets/outlets. Anything else is going to require disassembly off the water pump/engine.

Replace the cap and fingers crossed that was the problem. Sounds like a blown headgasket

[Dylan720]

It's had a slow oil leak and was diagnosed as a head gasket about 6 years ago but was told not to ever bother doing it that was diagnosed by subaru and they told me not to bother and so did 2 other machenics im wondering if it's just gotten worse myself

[El_Freddo]

Sounds like a blown HG. The reason why they would’ve said not to do anything is because you’re better off buying a replacement engine and swapping that in. Probably a good time to get a new radiator too.

Cheers

Bennie

[Dylan720]

Hi all so I had it checked it is a blown head gasket unfortunately if I decide to go with a rebuild anyone with recommendations on what brand gasket to use I was looking at the vrs kits for 300 on ebay as I've used them before on commodores and not had a issue but being a suby not sure what there like the permaseal kits are quite expensive so just wanna see what other people's thoughts are. Thanks again

[Barbbachello]

OEM only

[allpaw4]

Jump onto partsouq.com and plug in your VIN number. You'll be guaranteed to get the right part for your car then. And their pricing is usually pretty good.

Cheers,
Ben
Head gasket jobs aren't cheap, and secondhand engines are usually cheaper, which is why the mechanic has recommended what he said.

[El_Freddo]

The problem with the H6 isn’t the head gasket replacement, it’s the timing case bolts that will need replacing (some ridiculous number of bolts up there like 80) and the valve shim adjustment for correct valve clearances.

Add all that up and it’s cheaper to buy a JDM import second hand H6 and drop that in.

But if you want to run what you know works/what you’ve got, go for it. Your wallet will have a serious weight loss work out in a very short amount of time!

Cheers

Bennie

[Dylan720]

I was thinking of just dropping another engine in but I've been told that h6s do have head gasket so I'm concerned that it may just happen again within a short amount of time it will be alot easier and cheaper to throw another engine in I just dont want the same issue again.

[RX25SE]

As above, not a cheap exercise. I think I threw about $2k in parts at it, including skimming the heads and replacing the valve stem seals. Labour was free. 😎
There are many timing case bolts 50-60iirc as there are 2 timing case covers. The rear cover has a handful of O rings that seal the cover to the heads and block.
I also replaced all the timing chains, guides and tensioner while I had it apart. All parts were genuine supplied by Partsouq