The updated gasket for the 1st generation 2.5l really is a fix, the deficiency in the gasket was resolved with the new design. This is the DOHC (Dual Over Head Cam) engine we are talking about now.  We have always felt that installing the updated gaskets and educating on maintenance would always yield great results.

The second generation 2.5l is a SOHC (Single Over Head Cam) uses an entirely different gasket, it has been superseded a few times through the years but the replacement gasket does look somewhat similar to the O.E. Gasket.  We have still never seen a Subaru vehicle that we have repaired in the Seattle area develop a second head gasket leak but in the last few months the number of posts to my article about head gaskets leaks found here http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/ and the number of emails I have received  indicating that there are still some issues out there.

I feel that part of the reason the Subaru’s we repair in the Seattle area don’t develop the problem a second time  is we really focus on trying to educate our customers on the importance of maintaining the vehicle based on how they drive the car.  When faced with a expensive repair we have almost always found our Seattle area Subaru owners receptive to ways to avoid expensive repairs in the future.  Part of the reason I spend all this time writing articles is I want Subaru owners regardless of demographics to have the same information that our Seattle area Subaru owners have.  

We test ran a set of these head gaskets on a 1997 Subaru Legacy GT belonging to a good friend of mine who is very hard on his cars and after many miles decided to try them out on a second generation 2.5l in a  2000 Subaru Outback belonging to a delivery driver in a rural part of Washington State.    We have since used these gaskets many times with great results and consider them to be a real fix for the problems with the second generation 2.5l head gasket leaks.  Now installation of these gaskets doesn’t mean that a good maintenance schedule shouldn’t be followed, it is always going to be very important in a Subaru and a  Horizontally opposed engine that the fluids are not allowed to become contaminated or corrosive.

For our local customers you have the option of either gasket, for our readers every where else we do sell these gaskets and can ship them to you just about anywhere you reside.

Here are a couple of pictures of the gaskets we use, I will be doing a follow up article that will focus on the technical side of things such as composition and installation methods. 

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Doesn’t Your Subaru deserve some attention?   The cold weather we are having in the Seattle area can be very hard of your Subaru’s fluids.  If it has been a while since the oil, coolant, transmission, differential and brake fluids have been changed there really is no time like the present.

Don’t forget about the outside of the Subie either, the sand can be very hard on the body panels and headlight lenses especially it is a great time to wash the Subaru to keep the finish in god shape. The wiper blades may need to be cleaned or replaced as all of the sand they have had to clean off the windshield may have taken a toll on the effectiveness.    

Make sure your Subaru is in good condition before the next Seattle snow storm or before the next trip up the pass.

All Wheel Drive Auto can help

We know how to keep your Subaru in the best shape possible so it will take the best care of you when you need it the most.

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Having just gotten back from some fun filled last minute Xmas shopping and carting Grandma around as well I have put a lot of miles on my 1998 Subaru Outback today as well as this week.

With more weather forecasted and this sort of thing not being all that common in this area I thought I would post a few tips that have helped me through the years get good service out of my Subaru and keep my family safe when the need to venture out arises.

Your Subaru has a superior center of gravity and a well balanced power train.   It is amazing how well it will get around in the snow and ice with just normal all season radial tires, but there may be some instances where additional measures may be needed.  There is an older post here about my preferences on chains and snow tires.     http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-snow-tires-and-chains-explained/#comment-1979

What I want to talk about now is mental and physical preparation if you do need to drive somewhere the next few days or anytime in the future.

Let’s start with the Subaru.  If you have it serviced regularly at a shop like All Wheel Drive Auto there shouldn’t be much to worry about.  If that is not the case check the following.

Engine oil level, windshield washer fluid and freeze protection, coolant level and freeze protection, tire pressure and tread condition.  If you have a tire pressure gauge put it in the car as you may want to adjust the tire pressure to the road conditions, if you don’t, buy one for the next time.

If you have chains, maybe practice putting one on in the garage or at least in the daytime.

Pack an extra coat and gloves in case you need to do some work outside the car such as adjust the tire pressure, chain up or change a tire.  Bring some water and no it’s not silly to bring a blanket or sleeping bag for each family member, you just never know how things will go.

Starting out if the engine is cold let it warm up a bit so the idle isn’t too high when trying to brake as this can complicate things a bit and require more braking effort at a time when you want the effort to be minimal.  Turn the defrost on front and rear and obviously have the headlights and if equipped the fog lamps on as well.

 There is a good chance the wipers will become noisy if the windows and the rubber in the wipers get to cold and dirty even if you have winter type blades.  Just be mentally prepared for this and you can stop and use some of the water you have packed and a cloth to try and clean off the blades if it helps. 

Braking, lightly pump your brakes rather than just constant pedal pressure if you find yourself on ice and pointing downhill especially.  You can also use the emergency brake with your thumb on the button as you pull it up so that it doesn’t lock in position.  This can be very use full at lower speeds, turning and braking at the same time as when the front wheel lock up under ice it can be hard to control which direction you are going, by using the e-brake only the rear wheels are used unless you drive a Subaru Loyale, or older XT that is different, as the e-brake is part of the front brake assembly.  Use caution when tying this out and don’t wait until a panic situation to try it for the first time. Kind of like not practicing before you jump out of a plane, you can read all about it and prepare yourself but it may be better to learn how to pull the rip cord a few times first.   

If the roads are so bad you need to chain up remember that some model Subaru’s won’t accept all the wheels having chains and other models shouldn’t be chained at all, remember to consult your owner’s manual for your vehicle specific information.

Have a plan before you venture out; know your alternative roads and routes and be patient with the 4 Wheel Drive trucks and SUVs’ spinning out around you.

Once you are safely back home, take a minute and look at your Subaru and remember once the weather passes take as good of care of it as it did of you and your family out on the road.

Justin

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A very common thing to happen to your Subaru is to have the head lamp lens become pitted and glazed over which can greatly affect how well the head lights perform.

Being able to see at night is very important but replacing modern headlight assemblies can be very expensive.  Typically they are a couple hundred dollars a side plus labor.

All Wheel Drive Auto has a solution.  We have been reconditioning headlight assemblies for awhile now and thought it would be a good idea to post some information to share about the process and how it can be an inexpensive way to see the light.

I want to stress that the quality of the finished product has a lot to do with how badly sand blasted the lights already.  This process will improve the lights for sure but they will not look better than new and we would never want to represent the process as such. 

Here are some typical before and after pictures.

You can see the significant difference in appearence

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