Comments on: Subaru Head Gasket Problems Explained. http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/ All Wheel Drive Auto is a unique independent Seattle area Expert Subaru service & repair facility. We combine years of dealer experience with a local neighborhood shop atmosphere. We use high quality Subaru parts & test equipment and have the expert knowledge to fix it right the first time. Call us at 425-828-3600 to get a quote or find out more. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:04:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-8413 Justin Stobb Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:34:50 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-8413 Zac, If you followed he manual you spoke of and used a non proven head gasket, the problem may be in the repair, did you check the engine block for warp? There are a lot of possibilities, but with the bubbles it very well could be you didn't get a good seal. Justin Zac,

If you followed he manual you spoke of and used a non proven head gasket, the problem may be in the repair, did you check the engine block for warp?

There are a lot of possibilities, but with the bubbles it very well could be you didn’t get a good seal.

Justin

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-8411 Justin Stobb Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:32:16 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-8411 Pablo, There is nothing in a bottle that will permanently fix your Subaru. If the head gaskets are blown there is no reason to junk the entire engine, its just a gasket leak, not a rod, or crank failure. Hope that helps Justin Pablo,

There is nothing in a bottle that will permanently fix your Subaru.

If the head gaskets are blown there is no reason to junk the entire engine, its just a gasket leak, not a rod, or crank failure.

Hope that helps

Justin

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-8410 Justin Stobb Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:28:59 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-8410 Michael, You wont see oil and coolant mix as a result of a head gasket issue typically in a Subaru, the misfire should be diagnosed prior to any engine work. A failed head gasket is one of many possibilities. If the heads are warped they need to be machined if they are flat they don't. Justin Michael,

You wont see oil and coolant mix as a result of a head gasket issue typically in a Subaru, the misfire should be diagnosed prior to any engine work.

A failed head gasket is one of many possibilities.

If the heads are warped they need to be machined if they are flat they don’t.

Justin

]]> By: Zac http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-8408 Zac Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:36:42 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-8408 Justin, I was wondering if you could help me with my 2000 Forester with 135k which I have had overheating issues. I am at the point where I'm about ready to throw in the towel on fixing it. I have recently replaced the head gaskets and changed the water pump, thermostat, and radiator. I also took the heads in to be inspected and shaved down to a clean surface. It first started overheating intermitently and progressively got worse. Once I finished the head gasket replacement (gaskets looked like they were blown) and drove the car for about 50mi at 40-60mph and the temp gauge again spiked, the problem had returned. As soon as I saw a rise in temp on the gauge I shut the car off, and the car would cool down quickly. Minutes after the gauge spiked I could grab the intake manifold with my hands and the engine temp would return to normal at idle. Every time the car would overheat the surge/overflow tank would fill up. Lastly, while I was bleeding the coolant system (after head gasket replacement) their was a fairly constant supply of bubbles in the radiator (assuming its exhaust). I guess what my question is, have you ran into problems with internal cracks in the block or heads (I have no external cooloant leakage)? Do you have any other ideas what it could be? Also I am no mechanic so do think it could be a issue with my head gasket replacement (I followed ther Haynes manual as much I could)? Any help would appreciated, thanks again Zac Justin,
I was wondering if you could help me with my 2000 Forester with 135k which I have had overheating issues. I am at the point where I’m about ready to throw in the towel on fixing it. I have recently replaced the head gaskets and changed the water pump, thermostat, and radiator. I also took the heads in to be inspected and shaved down to a clean surface. It first started overheating intermitently and progressively got worse. Once I finished the head gasket replacement (gaskets looked like they were blown) and drove the car for about 50mi at 40-60mph and the temp gauge again spiked, the problem had returned. As soon as I saw a rise in temp on the gauge I shut the car off, and the car would cool down quickly. Minutes after the gauge spiked I could grab the intake manifold with my hands and the engine temp would return to normal at idle. Every time the car would overheat the surge/overflow tank would fill up. Lastly, while I was bleeding the coolant system (after head gasket replacement) their was a fairly constant supply of bubbles in the radiator (assuming its exhaust). I guess what my question is, have you ran into problems with internal cracks in the block or heads (I have no external cooloant leakage)? Do you have any other ideas what it could be? Also I am no mechanic so do think it could be a issue with my head gasket replacement (I followed ther Haynes manual as much I could)? Any help would appreciated, thanks again
Zac

]]> By: Pablo P. http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-8357 Pablo P. Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:18:38 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-8357 I have a 96 Subaru Outback. Our car is starting to overheat. The mechanic said that the head gaskets are going and that I should consider replacing the engine. I do have some of the other classic symptoms such as murky coolant in the reservoir. Could using a head gasket repair liquid sold at an auto parts store help to either alleviate or resolve potential head gasket problem? As always great website. I have a 96 Subaru Outback. Our car is starting to overheat. The mechanic said that the head gaskets are going and that I should consider replacing the engine. I do have some of the other classic symptoms such as murky coolant in the reservoir.

Could using a head gasket repair liquid sold at an auto parts store help to either alleviate or resolve potential head gasket problem?

As always great website.

]]> By: michael http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-8128 michael Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:46:56 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-8128 First i got to say, this page is full of great advice. Now the problem i have is with a 96 Legacy with 218k on it i just bought. The former owner took it to a shop for a presale inspection and he told her it needed a water pump to explain the slow loss of coolant. So after i got it home i put a new pump, upper hose and radiator (other reasons for the hose and rad) and its still losing coolant very slowly. Now ive notice a small amount of white smoke the first minute or so its running for the day. So im thinking it needs a head gasket. It did throw some engine codes , one being a misfire on cylinder 1, could this be related. Now if i do replace the HG, do the heads need machined on these motors? its never overheated (in my possesion). The oil is dark black with no signs of coolant mixing. Your thoughts? First i got to say, this page is full of great advice. Now the problem i have is with a 96 Legacy with 218k on it i just bought. The former owner took it to a shop for a presale inspection and he told her it needed a water pump to explain the slow loss of coolant. So after i got it home i put a new pump, upper hose and radiator (other reasons for the hose and rad) and its still losing coolant very slowly. Now ive notice a small amount of white smoke the first minute or so its running for the day. So im thinking it needs a head gasket. It did throw some engine codes , one being a misfire on cylinder 1, could this be related. Now if i do replace the HG, do the heads need machined on these motors? its never overheated (in my possesion). The oil is dark black with no signs of coolant mixing. Your thoughts?

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-8079 Justin Stobb Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:20:54 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-8079 Annette, I am not sure I understand the question? A properly repaired and maintained vehicle doesn't need anything other than what it cam equipped with as far as warning systems. There isnt really anything else to add other than maybe a set of mechanical gauges but that would be expensive and may not help anything anyways. If you take your Subie to a Subaru Expert for oil changes they should be able to spot any issues brewing early. The check engine light is more about the emissions system and less about the engine. You can run a car out of coolant and oil and the "check engine light" will never come on. Hope that helps Justin Annette,

I am not sure I understand the question?

A properly repaired and maintained vehicle doesn’t need anything other than what it cam equipped with as far as warning systems.

There isnt really anything else to add other than maybe a set of mechanical gauges but that would be expensive and may not help anything anyways.

If you take your Subie to a Subaru Expert for oil changes they should be able to spot any issues brewing early.

The check engine light is more about the emissions system and less about the engine.

You can run a car out of coolant and oil and the “check engine light” will never come on.

Hope that helps

Justin

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-8078 Justin Stobb Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:14:26 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-8078 Bill, If the lower hose is staying cold there is either an air pocket in the cooling system, a restricted radiator, defective t-stat etc. It should be a real easy thing for a Good Subaru Tech to figure out. The hose will not become warm until the thermostat opens and full coolant flow is achieved. You didn't specify if the head gasket work was done at the dealer? I do have the one question though. Why would you accept repairs done at a dealer that weren't complete? Justin Bill,

If the lower hose is staying cold there is either an air pocket in the cooling system, a restricted radiator, defective t-stat etc. It should be a real easy thing for a Good Subaru Tech to figure out.

The hose will not become warm until the thermostat opens and full coolant flow is achieved.

You didn’t specify if the head gasket work was done at the dealer?

I do have the one question though.

Why would you accept repairs done at a dealer that weren’t complete?

Justin

]]> By: Annette http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-8032 Annette Fri, 26 Feb 2010 02:52:16 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-8032 Hi Justin - Our mechanic located a 98 engine with around 50,000 and will install it for $2,000 or so. The idea of dealing with the timing belt and having a nearly new engine was very appealing. I have a question about the coolant system and how we can avoid this from happening again. A leaky radiator cap looks like the prime suspect. However, it's a pretty hard problem to detect, e.g., it's not part of an oil change which we do regularly. By the time the temperature guage moves toward the red zone, it could be too late since these engines are very sensitive to overheating. Are there any other "early warning" systems that we should consider? By the way, the check engine light has never come on. Thank you again for your thoughtful and forthcoming responses. Annette Hi Justin - Our mechanic located a 98 engine with around 50,000 and will install it for $2,000 or so. The idea of dealing with the timing belt and having a nearly new engine was very appealing. I have a question about the coolant system and how we can avoid this from happening again. A leaky radiator cap looks like the prime suspect. However, it’s a pretty hard problem to detect, e.g., it’s not part of an oil change which we do regularly. By the time the temperature guage moves toward the red zone, it could be too late since these engines are very sensitive to overheating. Are there any other “early warning” systems that we should consider? By the way, the check engine light has never come on. Thank you again for your thoughtful and forthcoming responses. Annette

]]> By: Bill http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-8024 Bill Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:31:36 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-8024 I have a legacy wagon 2005 with 70000 miles.Noticed smell of coolant and bottom radiator hose cold. Subaru dealer said both head gaskets needed to be replaced work was done and bottom hose still cold,dealer replaced radiator and thermostat. engine has never overheated and temp gauge is in the middle. have ran the car for over two hours and bottom hose still cold. its Feb. in Vermont outside temp not above 32. how long should it take for bottom hose to get warm? After reading some stories I do not want to replace the heads a second time. Thank I have a legacy wagon 2005 with 70000 miles.Noticed smell of coolant and bottom radiator hose cold. Subaru dealer said both head gaskets needed to be replaced work was done and bottom hose still cold,dealer replaced radiator and thermostat. engine has never overheated and temp gauge is in the middle. have ran the car for over two hours and bottom hose still cold. its Feb. in Vermont outside temp not above 32. how long should it take for bottom hose to get warm? After reading some stories I do not want to replace the heads a second time.

Thank

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