Ask the Car People.SM


Forester - Headgasket Repair & Engine Rebuild

150 messages,  Last post on Feb 08, 2012 at 12:19 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Subaru

Messages Page 12 of 16

#108 of 150 Re: HG leak on 06 Forester w/43k on the odo [erikwi] by aatherton

Dec 13, 2009 (10:55 am)

Replying to: erikwi (Dec 08, 2009 3:11 pm)
"You're missing the quote from the service manager. He's the one that told me face to face synthetic wasn't recommended... I'm blaming a flaw in either the head gasket itself or their engine assembly process."
 
I saw that quote, but I don't think his opinion means anything.
 
I think the flaw is in the "open-deck" engine design, not the engine assembly or gasket.
http://www.grindstonemotorsports.com/tech/blockdesign.jpg
The cylinder tops float in the block, completely surrounded by space, with no steadying bridges to the outer block. This is hard for a gasket to seal forever.
The types of decks are explained here:
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/2006-head-gaskets-problem-64464/inde- - - x2.html#post716946
 
In the new H-4 diesel engine, Subaru has gone to the semi-closed deck design:
"... the BOXER DIESEL adopts a semi-closed cylinder block deck to improve the rigidity around the head gaskets..."
http://www.boxerdiesel.com/engineering/en/index.html

#109 of 150 Re: HG leak on 06 Forester w/43k on the odo [aatherton] by erikwi

Dec 13, 2009 (12:53 pm)

Replying to: aatherton (Dec 13, 2009 10:55 am)
Aaahhh, now I see what you're saying. I saw the block design pics on the other forum so I'm familiar with them. What year did they switch to the full open deck block? I'm wondering how many other 2006's are going to start having problems. If what you're saying is the cause, then there should be lots of cars with head gasket leaks showing up in the near future. Wonder what SOA will do to solve the problem?
 
BTW, do you know whether or not they're bringing the diesel to the US?

#110 of 150 Re: HG leak on 06 Forester w/43k on the odo [erikwi] by aatherton

Dec 14, 2009 (11:25 am)

Replying to: erikwi (Dec 13, 2009 12:53 pm)
I think the 2.5 engine has always been open deck. I think the head gasket failures changed from generalized to rare after 2003. I think that happened because the coolant formula was changed, a stop-leak additive was added at the factory, and is required to be added whenever the coolant was replaced. Head gasket leaks nowadays may be due to things like use of wrong coolant, not adding the additive, poor quality replacement gaskets, and not pulling the head off onto a workbench and thoroughly cleaning both the surfaces when a head gasket is replaced.
 
There are no published plans to bring the Subaru Diesel here, though that is probably the eventual intent. I think they are waiting on certain issues like further testing in other markets and reformulation of US diesel to avoid a urea additive injection pump.

#111 of 150 Re: HG leak on 06 Forester w/43k on the odo [aatherton] by erikwi

Dec 14, 2009 (4:10 pm)

Replying to: aatherton (Dec 14, 2009 11:25 am)
Mine was actually leaking oil and a tiny amount of coolant. The stop leak they added at the 30k ended my having to continually add coolant to the tank every couple of months but didn't stop the HG leak since it was mainly oil. I've seen that oil additive that claims to stop oil leaks but am a little leary of it. Don't want any passages plugged up and then get oil starvation to a main bearing or rod bearing, you know.
 
Rats on the diesel! It would've caused me to trade now instead of waiting a few years. I like the idea of 48mpg and AWD.

#112 of 150 Re: "01 Forester with Head Gasket Leak [jacksan1] by k24hennings

Jan 07, 2010 (11:47 pm)

Replying to: jacksan1 (Mar 15, 2008 9:03 pm)
do you know what the terms are to get $1000 from subaru for head gasket problems. i have an 02 forester and the shop wants 2 grand for the repair. thanks...

#113 of 150 Re: "01 Forester with Head Gasket Leak [k24hennings] by priggly

Jan 08, 2010 (1:59 am)

Replying to: k24hennings (Jan 07, 2010 11:47 pm)
I had a head gasket failure in my 1997 Outback 2.5 engine at 139,000 miles and it resulted in the complete death of the engine. It cost me $7,000 to repair it in Canadian dollars and Subaru contributed NOTHING. ZERO. NADA. Left me with a bad taste in my mouth and a belief that Subaru engines are not particularly reliable or well designed.
 
The internet is literally saturated with tales of head gasket problems for Subaru engines. Head gasket problems are definitely not rare.

#114 of 150 Re: "01 Forester with Head Gasket Leak [k24hennings] by ateixeira

Jan 08, 2010 (12:14 pm)

Replying to: k24hennings (Jan 07, 2010 11:47 pm)
Early 02s were covered for 7/100 but you're well past 7 years now.
 
Call 800-SUBARU3 and be nice, see if they can help out in any way.

#115 of 150 Re: "01 Forester with Head Gasket Leak [priggly] by daniell

Jan 08, 2010 (7:26 pm)

Replying to: priggly (Jan 08, 2010 1:59 am)
I hear you... I was lucky that Subaru paid half of the cost of my headgasket repair (2002 Forester S, headgasket failure at 72k miles, cost $1800 to fix). Both my brother and my friend had headgasket problems (2001 Outback, and 2001 Legacy, respectively). 3 out of 3 I know is pretty bad in my book. I might buy a Subaru again, but it will definitely be the 6 cyl. not the 4.

#116 of 150 Re: "01 Forester with Head Gasket Leak [daniell] by ateixeira

Jan 08, 2010 (8:25 pm)

Replying to: daniell (Jan 08, 2010 7:26 pm)
Your family had bad luck.
 
I had a 98 Forester for 9 years, wifey had an 02 Legacy for 7 years. Dad has a 2000 Outback, sis has an 03 Forester, bro has an 04 Legacy.
 
Remember these are boxers, so that's 10 flawless engines.
 
I'm not counting our current 09 Forester or my cousin's 99 OB, also flawless.

#117 of 150 Re: "01 Forester with Head Gasket Leak [ateixeira] by daniell

Jan 08, 2010 (8:54 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 08, 2010 8:25 pm)
I count 6 older engines, including your cousin's, not 10... your 09 is too new and doesn't count. As I am sure you are aware, problem seems to affect mainly the MY1998-2002. That cuts another 2 cars from your list...
 
Problem was acknowledged by CR, internet forums etc. Yes, all brands have problems (I am not brand loyal), but this is clearly a problem with the Subaru 2.5l motor. If it wasn't a problem, Subaru wouldn't have issued the recall/extended warranty and pay 50% of repairs costs for many people excluded from the recall. So I'd say that your family was lucky.

Messages Page 12 of 16

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement