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Forester - Headgasket Repair & Engine Rebuild

97 messages,  Last post on Jun 24, 2009 at 6:36 PM

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#27 of 97 Headgasket, Coolant, et. al. by asa May 14, 2007 (2:27 pm)
I want to be clear that other than our head gasket woes, our (5-Speed) '04 Forester is a blast to drive and I like knowing that my wife and family are safe. We'd never owned an AWD vehicle before and the accelleration and handling are exceptional -- and ours is only normally aspirated. We'll see how long the engine lasts. The dealer added stop leak and it stopped coolant consumption for several months, but the steady drop in the bottle has recently resumed. However, there are definitely worse things in life to be faced with, right?
#28 of 97 Has Subaru fixed these problems? by colosub May 21, 2007 (10:23 am)
My 2000 Forester has had to have 3 O2 Sensors, 3 rear wheel bearings, and 2 head gaskets replaced. Does anyone know if these issues have been alleviated in the 2007 models? Any independent reviews I can read with proof in regards to these problems? I am trading in my 2000, and not sure if I want to deal with more potential problems, although I love other features about the car. Replies to this message: ateixeira (May 22, 2007 9:43 am) colosub (May 25, 2007 6:24 pm)
#29 of 97 Re: Subaru Coolant 'Conditioner' [xwesx] by 98in_cuse May 21, 2007 (1:57 pm)
Replying to: xwesx (Apr 30, 2007 12:34 pm) I had to have a couple of cylinders "machined" and the valve guides repaired a couple of years ago on my '98 Forester. Since then the check engine light keeps coming on with the same message about misfire on the cylinder, but the shop keeps changing the explanation. I replaced the spark plugs twice and the wires again, they then blew out the injector and switched the wires. Now they are saying that the injectors need to be replaced. I am taking it to another shop for a post mortem but it may be at the end of the road at 130,000 miles as I am afraid it may be endless. I would like to hold onto it for two more years but hearing some of these stories, I wonder. The afore-mentioned job cost $1900, not to mention the followups. I did complain to Subaru but got no response - there was also an issue with warranty on the spark plugs. I don't know if this is a different issue from the one you are discussing, but it's interesting... Replies to this message: ateixeira (May 22, 2007 9:40 am)
#30 of 97 Re: Subaru Coolant 'Conditioner' [98in_cuse] by ateixeira May 22, 2007 (9:40 am)
Replying to: 98in_cuse (May 21, 2007 1:57 pm) Might be the ignition coil, too, that would trigger a misfire CEL.
#31 of 97 Re: Has Subaru fixed these problems? [colosub] by ateixeira May 22, 2007 (9:43 am)
Replying to: colosub (May 21, 2007 10:23 am) Wheel bearing design changed significantly for MY2003. They now use sealed ones, completely different. We haven't observed nearly the same level of problems.   Head gasket materials were revised several times, and again, the frequency of complaints here on Edmunds is way down.   I didn't see a major pattern with 02 sensors before, so I cannot comment.   If you check Consumer Reports, you will see higher problem rates on engine (headgasket) and drivetrain (wheelbearings) on certain years in the ranges I describe, so yes, they seem to have improved measurably. Replies to this message: colosub (May 25, 2007 6:24 pm)
#32 of 97 Re: Has Subaru fixed these problems? [ateixeira] by colosub May 25, 2007 (6:24 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (May 22, 2007 9:43 am) Juice, Thank-you very much for the quick reply.
#33 of 97 Which brand of Replacement Air Filter I should buy for Forester 99 by jetfish May 26, 2007 (6:51 am)
Hi everyone,   Now it's time for me to change the air filter for my Forester '99 built in Jan'99. I am not sure which brand of the replacement air filter I should buy. I searched on http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/shop_parts/air_filter/subaru/forester.html  and found there are a few brands for Forester'99 such as K&N, Denso, NPN and unbranded OEM. The prices vary from $60 to $9.   Which brands do you guys recommend? I'm from PA.   Thank you. Replies to this message: ateixeira (May 26, 2007 1:40 pm)
#34 of 97 Re: Which brand of Replacement Air Filter I should buy for Forester 99 [jetfish] by ateixeira May 26, 2007 (1:40 pm)
Replying to: jetfish (May 26, 2007 6:51 am) I'm not totally certain but I think Subaru uses Purolator filters. The oil filter for my '98 was Purolator, and I replaced the air filter with one and they looked the same IIRC.
#35 of 97 98 Forester blew head gasket -- is it worth it to rebuild engine? by chien Dec 09, 2007 (12:02 pm)
98 Forester, 104,500 miles. It seems worth it to rebuild engine but really would like opinions. I'm nervous about future breakdowns of other parts.   No major problems before this. Car runs tight, no weird shifts, clangs, wobbles, noises. Body in good shape. Been rearended 2x at low speed, but frame OK. Front windshield cracked 2x and replaced; power steering pump replaced. Preventative replacement of water pump and timing belt at 60K big service.   Head gasket blew 75 miles from home. Stopped as soon as temp rose and found ugly oily bubbly in coolant overflow. Local shop flushed radiator, new thermostat, etc. did not fix overheating. Pressure test showed head gasket problem. Towed car back home to my mechanic as I am AAA Plus member (100 miles free).   My trusted mechanic says rebuild your engine, oil and coolant mixed in engine so head gasket repair won't be enough. Rebuilding my engine costs $3100, includes 3 yr unlimited mileage guarantee. Labor $1400. Includes new water pump, new seals/gaskets, new oil pump, new timing belt, new rings, new cam bearings, regrind valves, recycle bloc and cylinder heads.   Tradein value seems low $3600, used car prices around $4500-5000. I bought Subaru expecting 200K so upset at this major engine flaw. Prefer not to buy new car, but am liking Honda Element.   Opinions/experiences on rebuilding your engines would be greatly appreciated!"> Replies to this message: 98in_cuse (Dec 11, 2007 6:08 am) p0926 (Dec 11, 2007 7:55 am) ateixeira (Dec 11, 2007 1:17 pm) chien (Dec 12, 2007 3:51 pm) ateixeira (Dec 13, 2007 8:29 am) and 1 more... xwesx (Dec 11, 2007 11:21 am)
#36 of 97 Re: 98 Forester blew head gasket -- is it worth it to rebuild engine? [chien] by 98in_cuse Dec 11, 2007 (6:08 am)
Replying to: chien (Dec 09, 2007 12:02 pm) I had the same or a similar thing happen to my '98 - it didn't overheat and blow up but I had to have half of the engine rebuilt due to cylinder misfirings. That was at 113,000 and I'm now at 136,000. It seems to happen to most of the '98's and some of the later models and most say that if this is taken care of the cars can run forever. I had some problems last summer but these seemed to be cured by a coolant flush and conditioner, new filters, though I may have routine engine issues with summer heat. But it's running great now and I'm trying to go for 200,000 - waiting for a better alternative.   If the body is good, I would do the repair, especially with the waranty - you also seem to be getting more work done than I had to do, so I can't comment on the price. It may be a closer call with your costs and the value of the car. There are others in this forum that are better on the mechanical and cost issues!   98_incuse

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