1. What other parts, seals and/or gaskets should I have replaced while the engine is out of the car? Which seals and/or gaskets are easy to get to (not a lot of added labor) while the engine is out of the car?

2. Should I replace the head bolts? Some dealers will some wont

3. Should I have the oil pump resealed and the rear separator plate or “inspection cover” replaced, with an Oil Pump Reseal Kit and/or Separator Plate Kit? The sep plate will be metal so now, We usually suggest resealing the oil pump.

4. Should I replace the Cam Seals & Cam Plug Kit? If they show signs of leaking, or any residue at all

5. Should I replace the Valve Stem Seals & Valve Stem Seal Kit? Not typically

6. Should I replace the Coolant Cross Over O-rings? If they are leaking

7. Should I replace the Timing Belt Tensioner? YES

8. Should I replace the Timing Belt Idlers (1 geared Timing belt idler, and/or the 2 smooth Timing belt idlers? YES

9. Should I replace the Timing Belt guides? You dont have them

10. Should I replace the front and/or rear Main seals?

The dealer will decide what should be done and should not be, based on a combination of factors, some on a visual inspection some based on not wanting any down time waiting for a machine shop to replace the Valve stem seals and most Dealer techs aren’t capable of this them selves.

I am going to leave you with this.

I know your wife is the boss, but here is a link to why your about to waste your money!! If you read the comments to the post where all of the Dealer repaired cars last a year or 2 why set your self up for that?

http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-repair/

Hope that helps

Justin

Why would you replace a car because of the repair bill?

You can give this a read here to address the testing of the P0420 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-check-engine-light-and-code-p0420-explained/

I cant say from here what your car actually needs however, but I would really hat to see you spend $30,000.00 to avoid spending $1500.00 to $2000.00.

Hope that helps

Justin

Than 400 wet

Than 600 wet

If you only got 20k out of the updated bearings that tells me they were not properly packed with grease before install which is actually common place at a Subaru dealer.

The updated bearings come packed with “packing grease” clear in color, that should be cleaned out and then proper high temperature wheel bearing grease packed in the bearing before pressed into the Hub.

Want you wont hear abut is multiple rear wheel bearing replacements when the job is done at a good independent that understands the right way to service the vehicle.

Sorry to hear you have yet to receive good value but the used part thing is not really the best way to go.

Justin

You have a great Blog, lots of great info & recommendations…

I can not thank you enough for your informative website that helped me recently with my 2002 Subaru Legacy Wagon L.

I have a 2002 Subaru Legacy Wagon with 2.5L (engine) with 104k miles on it. I had the timing belt, water pump, and all the belts replaced (along with a new coolant) 6 months ago. One year ago I replaced the valve cover gaskets & seals, because I fond oil on the spark plugs, when I doing a spark plugs change. The car is in very condition, except for the head gasket.

Earlier this week, I was doing an oil change (myself) & I noticed oil leaking from the bottom of the driver’s side head gasket… I thought that the head gasket would probably need to be replaced. So I googled/searched “Subaru head gasket leak”, & up came your Blog” Subaru head gasket problems explained”, I spent a couple hours reading many of your recommendations & answers (great info). Then I called “Subaru of America” (as your Blog had suggested) & SOA agreed to pay 50% of the head gasket replacement (repair) if I have the work done at the Subaru Dealer.

I would prefer to have MLS head gaskets installed, but unfortunately the Dealer said that they can only use the “Subaru improved composite head gaskets”. It’s my wife’s car & she wants to get the car repaired at the Subaru Dealer, for half price (she the boss).

These are questions that I hope you can answer:

1. What other parts, seals and/or gaskets should I have replaced while the engine is out of the car? Which seals and/or gaskets are easy to get to (not a lot of added labor) while the engine is out of the car?

2. Should I replace the head bolts?

3. Should I have the oil pump resealed and the rear separator plate or “inspection cover” replaced, with an Oil Pump Reseal Kit and/or Separator Plate Kit?

4. Should I replace the Cam Seals & Cam Plug Kit?

5. Should I replace the Valve Stem Seals & Valve Stem Seal Kit?

6. Should I replace the Coolant Cross Over O-rings?

7. Should I replace the Timing Belt Tensioner?

8. Should I replace the Timing Belt Idlers (1 geared Timing belt idler, and/or the 2 smooth Timing belt idlers?

9. Should I replace the Timing Belt guides?

10. Should I replace the front and/or rear Main seals?

Thank you for all your help,

Best,

Jack O’Donnell

This time I am thinking of just putting a used hub on my car instead of paying the crazy price for the bearing replacement.