Pictured below are some after market head gaskets we recently took out of a 1st generation 2.5l DOHC in a 1997  Subaru Legacy Outback.  They are the single worst idea I have seen in trying to address an issue that Subaru has already resolved.

Subaru came out with a great replacemant gasket for the first Generation 2.5l that is a real fix for the problem.

This gasket pictured below lasted a few months, yes months!!  The gasket is similar in design to the original gasket that was used in production and then was tweaked making it even weaker.

The reason I point these gaskets out is I would hate for any of my readers to buy them, and get no real life out of the repair.  I imagine since the repairs were made at a local “general repair shop” that the method of repair played into this as well, which is reason number one on a list of a hundred to make sure the shop you are taking your Subaru to is a Subaru Expert.

Paying to have the repairs made properly a second or third time will create financial and emotional frustration.

Thanks for reading , and know what you are paying for!!

Justin