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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 13 of 16

#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.

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

Jan 09, 2010 (7:18 pm)

Replying to: daniell (Jan 08, 2010 8:54 pm)
10 heads, I meant. There's a gasket on each side.
 
If you count my cousin's that's 12 head gaskets.
 
I'm not saying the problem didn't exist, far from it. Subaru acknowledged it with a 7/100 warranty, even. Thing is, they covered 'til model year 02, so those 7 years are up even for the later cars.
 
What I'm just saying is it didn't affect every gasket.

#119 of 150 Subaru Forester Head Gasket Leak at 55,000 miles by dk11

Jan 27, 2010 (10:36 am)

The head gasket on my 2003 Forester is leaking at only 55,000 miles which is ridiculous. I have the oil changed every 3,000 miles which is above and beyond what is recommended, but I wanted to take extra care of the engine and then this happens. Just found out this is a known defect on Subarus, though only the 1999-2002 models were recalled. Clearly, the problem was not resolved. I am trying to get Subaru to pitch in for the repair as though it's been over 5 years, it is still within the 60,000 mile warranty period. Clearly, if a head gasket goes at only 55,000 miles, there is a defect. I hope Subaru resolves this as if they don't this will be my last Subaru. Just wanted to post this so others are aware of the problem and don't assume that it's only on the 1999-2002 models.

#120 of 150 Re: Subaru Forester Head Gasket Leak at 55,000 miles [dk11] by goldengal

Jan 27, 2010 (11:51 am)

Replying to: dk11 (Jan 27, 2010 10:36 am)
Count us as another head gasket failure and repair (mostly out of our pocket) for the 03 Forester 60,000 miles.
 
There was a previous post regarding the correlation between head gasket failure and the type of coolant used. Recommending only Subaru brand coolant? Can't find that post but it might help prevent further problems.

#121 of 150 Re: Subaru Forester Head Gasket Leak at 55,000 miles [dk11] by jbur1

Jan 27, 2010 (11:56 am)

Replying to: dk11 (Jan 27, 2010 10:36 am)
I hear you. I also have a 2003 Forester and have started losing coolant. I don't understand why SOA does not expand its coverage when the problem still exists on later models. See my recent post with pics at Losing Coolant.

#122 of 150 Re: Subaru Forester Head Gasket Leak at 55,000 miles [jbur1] by dk11

Jan 28, 2010 (10:06 am)

Replying to: jbur1 (Jan 27, 2010 11:56 am)
Thanks for your reply. I am going to request that they do extend the warranty for the 2003 to 100,000 miles / 8 years as they did for the recalled 1999-2002 models since the 2003 still clearly has the same problem. May I ask at what mileage mark yours started to lose coolant?

#123 of 150 Re: Subaru Forester Head Gasket Leak at 55,000 miles [dk11] by ateixeira

Jan 28, 2010 (10:57 am)

Replying to: dk11 (Jan 27, 2010 10:36 am)
Call 800-SUBARU3 for help if your dealer doesn't seem helpful to you.
 
Good luck and please keep us posted.

#124 of 150 Re: Subaru Forester Head Gasket Leak at 55,000 miles [goldengal] by aatherton

Jan 28, 2010 (7:48 pm)

Replying to: goldengal (Jan 27, 2010 11:51 am)
"There was a previous post regarding the correlation between head gasket failure and the type of coolant used. Recommending only Subaru brand coolant? Can't find that post but it might help prevent further problems."
 
There is no correlation between head gasket leaks and coolant. The proper coolant is used to assure no corrosion in the system. The proper sealant additive is what Subaru believes helps seal head gasket leaks. The actual cause of the gasket leaks is movement of the unsupported tops of the cylinders in the "open deck" cylinder blocks, which the gaskets cannot endure.
 
Subaru has given the DOHC turbo and diesel engines "semi-open deck" cylinder blocks which brace the cylinder tops and avoids the problem.
 
The open deck is die cast, where the metal die is reusable. The semi-closed deck has bridges (braces) between the cylinder tops and the block, requiring a single-use sand casting for each block, which is much more expensive.

Messages Page 13 of 16

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