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. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:27:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Tracy http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-2085 Tracy Sat, 03 Jan 2009 06:06:39 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-2085 I have been looking at a 2003 Subaru Outback with 52K miles on it and a 2.5L engine. After reading most of these posts I am now VERY hesitant about purchasing it. I will want to keep it for at least 4-5 years and can't really afford any major repairs. Any advice? I have been looking at a 2003 Subaru Outback with 52K miles on it and a 2.5L engine. After reading most of these posts I am now VERY hesitant about purchasing it. I will want to keep it for at least 4-5 years and can’t really afford any major repairs. Any advice?

]]> By: rockcoc http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-2084 rockcoc Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:01:15 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-2084 David, Mine is the previous Outback on this thread. After talking to SOA and supplying them with maintainence records from both the dealer and the independent shop I use, they replaced my head gaskets (and other related gaskets) for all but $500 which I paid. The downside, besides shelling out $500 I hadn't anticipated, was the dealer did NOT replace the T-belt as they indicated they would. I think we all agree that opening the engine back up to replace the T-belt would be overkill now, but I did have them acknowledge in writing this was meant to be part of the service if they were replacing the gaskets anyway, saving money and time in the future. Thus I at least got documentation they took a bit of a short cut. This may (?) help me in the future when I actually go in for the timing belt service. In your case, if you have maintainence records, etc., you should contact SOA regarding your head gaskets. Also since you are basically at the 90K mark, make it clear with whomever does the service that T-belt should be replaced at the same time. Else you'll be paying for all the labor again in the future to pull the engine apart for the T-belt. Just FYI. This is true regardless of whether you get help from SOA or not...that's my view in any case. David,
Mine is the previous Outback on this thread. After talking to SOA and supplying them with maintainence records from both the dealer and the independent shop I use, they replaced my head gaskets (and other related gaskets) for all but $500 which I paid. The downside, besides shelling out $500 I hadn’t anticipated, was the dealer did NOT replace the T-belt as they indicated they would. I think we all agree that opening the engine back up to replace the T-belt would be overkill now, but I did have them acknowledge in writing this was meant to be part of the service if they were replacing the gaskets anyway, saving money and time in the future. Thus I at least got documentation they took a bit of a short cut. This may (?) help me in the future when I actually go in for the timing belt service. In your case, if you have maintainence records, etc., you should contact SOA regarding your head gaskets. Also since you are basically at the 90K mark, make it clear with whomever does the service that T-belt should be replaced at the same time. Else you’ll be paying for all the labor again in the future to pull the engine apart for the T-belt. Just FYI. This is true regardless of whether you get help from SOA or not…that’s my view in any case.

]]> By: David http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-2080 David Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:32:28 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-2080 Hi Justin, Thanks for taking the time to look at yet another coolant issue! We have a 2003 Legacy Outback (88K miles) that has developed many of the common problems associated with head gasket failure: Leaking coolant onto engine, funky 'sweet smoke' smell, bubbling in the reserve tank, greasiness & exhaust smells from the reserve tank, continiously lowering coolant levels (no mystery there) and erratic behavior of the heat indicator on the dash. I've read much about the 2003 issues, and I have a few questions: Would our car be covered under any warranty? Is the 'coolant conditioner' a realistic possible fix? Or is a full gasket replacement (along with your recommended other repairs) the likely scenario? Thanks for your time & happy new year! David Hi Justin,

Thanks for taking the time to look at yet another coolant issue! We have a 2003 Legacy Outback (88K miles) that has developed many of the common problems associated with head gasket failure: Leaking coolant onto engine, funky ’sweet smoke’ smell, bubbling in the reserve tank, greasiness & exhaust smells from the reserve tank, continiously lowering coolant levels (no mystery there) and erratic behavior of the heat indicator on the dash.

I’ve read much about the 2003 issues, and I have a few questions: Would our car be covered under any warranty? Is the ‘coolant conditioner’ a realistic possible fix? Or is a full gasket replacement (along with your recommended other repairs) the likely scenario? Thanks for your time & happy new year!

David

]]> By: A Better Subaru 2.5l Head Gasket in Seattle - Seattle Subaru Repair http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-2077 A Better Subaru 2.5l Head Gasket in Seattle - Seattle Subaru Repair Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:47:28 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-2077 [...] Blog! (4.88 out of 5)Why Is The Power Steering Making Noise on My Subaru Outback? (4.88 out of 5)Subaru Head Gasket Problems Explained. (4.78 out of [...] [...] Blog! (4.88 out of 5)Why Is The Power Steering Making Noise on My Subaru Outback? (4.88 out of 5)Subaru Head Gasket Problems Explained. (4.78 out of [...]

]]> By: jeff http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-2071 jeff Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:08:44 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-2071 Justin, thanks for the reply....I spoke with SOA and they say they will consider an 'out of warranty' good will warranty. At least we're talking which is always good. I can see the point that improper maintainence can cause issues, and I have documentation to show regular service (with some gaps in my receipts...but I can show all the major services at least). My point with SOA was/is that while maintainence clearly can contribute, the chatter on the web seems to at least anecdotally support continuing problems with the head gaskets in later models. Perhaps they've improved, but a poor design, for example, may make lapses in maintainence have greater consequences or a requirement for extra diligence to avoid issues to which the cars/engines are susceptible. That doesn't mean that the design isn't the problem, it just transfers more of the responsibility to the owner and one can buy an affordable car that has problems down the road or buy a car with a proven reliability record with fewer or less expensive problems as the car ages. So I wouldn't think that special attention to fluids and maintainence should be any more of a factor than for other cars with better designed engines (seals in this case). Oil changes every 3000 miles seems to be overkill in my mind. Nevertheless, there is no excuse for poor maintainence other than the reasons one might buy an economically priced car might be the same reason someone doesn't have $1000 to do the 60K service just when it's required, so opts to get the oil changed instead until the next paycheck.....I blathering so thanks for the forum and the info! I love my Subaru, and hope this is not a trend... Justin,
thanks for the reply….I spoke with SOA and they say they will consider an ‘out of warranty’ good will warranty. At least we’re talking which is always good. I can see the point that improper maintainence can cause issues, and I have documentation to show regular service (with some gaps in my receipts…but I can show all the major services at least). My point with SOA was/is that while maintainence clearly can contribute, the chatter on the web seems to at least anecdotally support continuing problems with the head gaskets in later models. Perhaps they’ve improved, but a poor design, for example, may make lapses in maintainence have greater consequences or a requirement for extra diligence to avoid issues to which the cars/engines are susceptible. That doesn’t mean that the design isn’t the problem, it just transfers more of the responsibility to the owner and one can buy an affordable car that has problems down the road or buy a car with a proven reliability record with fewer or less expensive problems as the car ages. So I wouldn’t think that special attention to fluids and maintainence should be any more of a factor than for other cars with better designed engines (seals in this case). Oil changes every 3000 miles seems to be overkill in my mind. Nevertheless, there is no excuse for poor maintainence other than the reasons one might buy an economically priced car might be the same reason someone doesn’t have $1000 to do the 60K service just when it’s required, so opts to get the oil changed instead until the next paycheck…..I blathering so thanks for the forum and the info! I love my Subaru, and hope this is not a trend…

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-2067 Justin Stobb Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:57:54 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-2067 Hey Jeff, I cant comment on why the independent was so much higher but except to say that we do see this quite often and sometimes are shocked at what the competition gets away with charging. The 2003 don't have an active campaign as of yet and at this point I am not sure they will. I think Subaru really believes its a lack of maintenance and lack of understanding of the right fluids to use causing a significant portion of the failure. What I can honestly say about the 2nd generation 2.5l is the ones we service as we suggest don't seem to develop as many issues as the ones serviced at whoever has the cheapest oil change price and maybe not as often as needed as well. I am not suggesting you haven't taken care of your car only sharing our experience with the cars that come into the shop. We charge about $1360.00 to remove the engine and replace all seals and gaskets required to do the head gaskets right including oil, oil filter, coolant and fasteners. Add $60.00 for the t-belt and $133.00 for the timing belt tensioner if needed. Hope that helps some Justin Hey Jeff,

I cant comment on why the independent was so much higher but except to say that we do see this quite often and sometimes are shocked at what the competition gets away with charging.

The 2003 don’t have an active campaign as of yet and at this point I am not sure they will.

I think Subaru really believes its a lack of maintenance and lack of understanding of the right fluids to use causing a significant portion of the failure.

What I can honestly say about the 2nd generation 2.5l is the ones we service as we suggest don’t seem to develop as many issues as the ones serviced at whoever has the cheapest oil change price and maybe not as often as needed as well.

I am not suggesting you haven’t taken care of your car only sharing our experience with the cars that come into the shop.

We charge about $1360.00 to remove the engine and replace all seals and gaskets required to do the head gaskets right including oil, oil filter, coolant and fasteners.

Add $60.00 for the t-belt and $133.00 for the timing belt tensioner if needed.

Hope that helps some

Justin

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-2066 Justin Stobb Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:45:09 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-2066 Julian, I do think the Subaru is worth repairing. But don't think of it in a cost of repair versus value of the car it will never make sense. Think of it instead as spending some money on this one versus dropping 25k on a replacement vehicle. Justin Julian,

I do think the Subaru is worth repairing. But don’t think of it in a cost of repair versus value of the car it will never make sense. Think of it instead as spending some money on this one versus dropping 25k on a replacement vehicle.

Justin

]]> By: Jeremy http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-2065 Jeremy Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:20:32 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-2065 I should add that $5000 plus is the price of the car and the repair combined. I should add that $5000 plus is the price of the car and the repair combined.

]]> By: Jeremy http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-2064 Jeremy Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:17:52 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-2064 I was about to buy a used 1998 Subaru Outback from the local Subaru dealer and came across this link. It's the best I've seen in explaining the problem with the head gaskets on these cars and putting my mind at ease that it's fixable. Luckily, I tracked down the previous owner of the car. The car was serviced to the letter, it even has a brand new transmission. But, sure enough, the car overheated a few weeks ago and the coolant in the radiator was empty. The local mechanic couldn't diagnose the problem after a pressure test. So, she traded the car on something else. I come along, I was just about to ink the deal and thought maybe I better Google this car and up came all these pages about the head gaskets. Evidently, the head gaskets on the 1998 Subaru are prone to failure but the new gaskets on the newer models are not because sometime a few years back Subaru redesigned the head gasket and they no longer fail according to several sources on the internet including this one: So, I took the car to a mechanic and had him test the coolant and sure enough there is exhaust in the coolant. He said the repair would be about $3,000. Ouch!!! I went back to the dealer and told them about the test. At first they wanted to show me some other Subaru Legacy cars of the same year. I said no-way, the engine will just fail. So, they asked what I wanted them to do. I asked, "why don't you give me a deal on fixing the heads with the new type of gaskets since we caught the problem early." I added, "you can sell the car this way, but that wouldn't be very nice." I also said, "I'm not going to be the buyer and you'll get far less at auction than I will pay you for this car anyway." They said OK it will be $1900. I said no deal. So, they finally agreed to do it for $1000. So, tomorrow, I'm getting a Subaru what will have an almost new transmission and a nearly rebuilt engine once it goes into the dealership's shop probably next week sometime. They have to not only do the head gaskets, but replace the timing belt, install new seals and basically reseal the entire engine down to the oil pan. It's obvious the original head gaskets on these cars will fail almost 100-percent of the time. If you're going to buy one of these cars get the test done for hydrocarbons in the coolant before inking any deal. Then if the head is blown, make it the dealership's problem. Make them fix it or don't buy the car. I'm pretty confident with the head gaskets replaced with newly engineered ones from Subaru (not to mention a new transmission put in last year) that this car I'm getting is a pretty good deal for just over $5000. I was about to buy a used 1998 Subaru Outback from the local Subaru dealer and came across this link. It’s the best I’ve seen in explaining the problem with the head gaskets on these cars and putting my mind at ease that it’s fixable.

Luckily, I tracked down the previous owner of the car. The car was serviced to the letter, it even has a brand new transmission. But, sure enough, the car overheated a few weeks ago and the coolant in the radiator was empty.

The local mechanic couldn’t diagnose the problem after a pressure test. So, she traded the car on something else. I come along, I was just about to ink the deal and thought maybe I better Google this car and up came all these pages about the head gaskets.

Evidently, the head gaskets on the 1998 Subaru are prone to failure but the new gaskets on the newer models are not because sometime a few years back Subaru redesigned the head gasket and they no longer fail according to several sources on the internet including this one:

So, I took the car to a mechanic and had him test the coolant and sure enough there is exhaust in the coolant. He said the repair would be about $3,000. Ouch!!!

I went back to the dealer and told them about the test. At first they wanted to show me some other Subaru Legacy cars of the same year. I said no-way, the engine will just fail.

So, they asked what I wanted them to do. I asked, “why don’t you give me a deal on fixing the heads with the new type of gaskets since we caught the problem early.” I added, “you can sell the car this way, but that wouldn’t be very nice.” I also said, “I’m not going to be the buyer and you’ll get far less at auction than I will pay you for this car anyway.”

They said OK it will be $1900.

I said no deal.

So, they finally agreed to do it for $1000.

So, tomorrow, I’m getting a Subaru what will have an almost new transmission and a nearly rebuilt engine once it goes into the dealership’s shop probably next week sometime.

They have to not only do the head gaskets, but replace the timing belt, install new seals and basically reseal the entire engine down to the oil pan.

It’s obvious the original head gaskets on these cars will fail almost 100-percent of the time. If you’re going to buy one of these cars get the test done for hydrocarbons in the coolant before inking any deal.

Then if the head is blown, make it the dealership’s problem. Make them fix it or don’t buy the car. I’m pretty confident with the head gaskets replaced with newly engineered ones from Subaru (not to mention a new transmission put in last year) that this car I’m getting is a pretty good deal for just over $5000.

]]> By: Jeff http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-2055 Jeff Mon, 29 Dec 2008 03:22:27 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-2055 I should add that for the price, the timing belt gets replaced at both shops as well since they're opening things up already. Still not feeling like a bargain.... I should add that for the price, the timing belt gets replaced at both shops as well since they’re opening things up already. Still not feeling like a bargain….

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