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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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#41 of 97 Re: 98 Forester blew head gasket -- is it worth it to rebuild engine? [chien] by ateixeira Dec 13, 2007 (8:29 am)
Replying to: chien (Dec 12, 2007 3:51 pm) Sell it as is or to a salvage yard. I wonder how much they'd give you for it. Replies to this message: paisan (Dec 14, 2007 4:27 am)
#42 of 97 Re: 98 Forester blew head gasket -- is it worth it to rebuild engine? [ateixeira] by paisan Dec 14, 2007 (4:27 am)
Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 13, 2007 8:29 am) Not much, generally a non running car will not bring in much money.   -mike
#43 of 97 Update on Rebuilt 98 Subaru Forester Engine by chien Mar 12, 2008 (2:50 pm)
Hi all -- re: the DOHC engine flaw causing blown head gasket. I ended up getting my blown engine rebuilt. Not an engine swap but my original engine rebuilt, with new rings, new water pump, new timing belt etc. I really wanted a Honda Element, but this was $5K vs $25K.   I am the original owner. The body is still good and the car mechanically well-maintained, so I felt it was the most practical solution.   My mechanic used a shop and person he absolutely trusted, and he is hard man to please. It took a 5 weeks because of end-of-year supply problems, but I got it back in late January and it runs really well. I also replaced the cassette player with a CD player and had the car detailed inside and out, so it would feel like new. My mechanic told me to let it warm up for a few minutes before taking off so the aluminum parts and steel parts were near the same temp.   So far, so good. Everything runs smoothly and there are no new noises,weird engine shifts, or temperature issues. I'm taking it in soon for a 1,000 mile oil change as the engine is "new" still. I do smell a slight burning odor at the end of the day when I garage it, but it is slight.   This may not be the best solution for everybody, but for me, who hates throwing away good things, it was. I figured it was an unacknowledged (by Subaru) engine design flaw. A rebuilt could make the engine go another 50-100K (I hope) which for me, means another 5-10 years as I don't drive more than 10K/yr.   I also have a long-term relationship with a trusted mechanic who has maintained this car from Day 1. He did not push me to rebuild the engine because he knew it was a lot of money and a big decision, but I know he also likes to keep cars on the street for as long as possible. Most of the cost was for the rebuild itself. There is a 3 year warranty on the engine, parts and labor.   I loved my Subaru before this, and hope to regain that love and trust after a few more miles! Replies to this message: xwesx (Mar 12, 2008 3:27 pm)
#44 of 97 Re: Update on Rebuilt 98 Subaru Forester Engine [chien] by xwesx Mar 12, 2008 (3:27 pm)
Replying to: chien (Mar 12, 2008 2:50 pm) Thanks for the update, chien! It sounds like you went all out on it, so there is absolutely no reason why it should have any engine problems in the next 100,000 miles.   When I purchased my first Subaru, I had several problems that made me want to tear out my hair. I flatly declared that I was going to sell that car and never buy another Subaru. I, like you, decided that it was cheaper to keep the car I had than to buy something else. I am quite glad I did. Even though that car took more than a little of my blood and tears over the years, it turned out to be a fantastic machine. All told, my ownership experience with it was quite rewarding.
#45 of 97 "01 Forester with Head Gasket Leak by jacksan1 Mar 15, 2008 (8:03 pm)
We have an '01 Forester L with 99,640 miles, and during a recent trip to our local mechanic, we discovered that there was a coolant leak from the head gasket. This car was serviced during the recall for the head gasket (WWP-99) back in 2004, and followed the maintenance schedule faithfully since which was required under the extended warranty for the head gasket coolant leak to 100,000 miles or 8 years from the initial date of service.   Since when this was discovered, I only had less than 400 miles to go before this warranty was going to run, so I immediately took the Forester to a local Subaru dealer. However, later, the dealership reported that it was oil that was leaking, not coolant, and so this extended warranty for the head gasket did not apply. I naturally contested it (my mechanic said it was coolant), and in the end, Subaru USA agreed to pay half the cost of the head gasket repair. I did not want to agree to this, but I just could not risk having the warranty run out during the dispute process and needing to pay for the whole thing in case they turned out to be right about the coolant leak. If I had had several thousand miles left, I would have pushed the issue back to Subaru and insisted on a second opinion to decide whether it was oil or coolant leaking.   I am now wondering whether it is some kind of a standard response by Subaru to pay half for the repair of the recalled head gasket claiming an oil leak versus coolant's in the hope that an owner would just accept it as I did. Has anyone had this kind of experience? Replies to this message: chien (Mar 17, 2008 9:53 pm) vlh2 (Nov 16, 2008 6:07 am) ateixeira (Nov 18, 2008 1:38 pm)
#46 of 97 Re: "01 Forester with Head Gasket Leak [jacksan1] by chien Mar 17, 2008 (9:53 pm)
Replying to: jacksan1 (Mar 15, 2008 8:03 pm) I believe that when your head gasket is leaking, BOTH oil and coolant get mixed together and cycle around in your engine. Your mechanic probably did a compression test and found the head gasket was leaking. I had oil globs in my coolant overflow tank. I think your dealer was trying to get you to go past your warranty mileage which is very, very unethical.   Just the fact Subaru USA agreed to pay half means you were in the right and they were trying to get you to settle. Also very, very unethical.   I have no idea what recourse you have -- perhaps registering a consumer complaint with your state Attorney General or suing the dealer and/or Subaru USA in Small Claims court for the other half. Depends on how upset you are. And don't buy another Subaru if you can't get resolution from them.   Big companies count on you folding. I've had problems with Verizon Wireless and CIGNA Healthcare and had to spend many hours writing letters and talking to customer service reps (who should be called customer DIS-service reps). They simply ignore you unless you persist, persist, persist. It's not the money, it's the principle.   When I first got the bad news about my car, I found a site dedicated to the Subaru head gasket leak with many disappointed and angry owners. Maybe there is a suggestion on there that will help you figure out a course of action. Leaves a bad taste, doesn't it?
#47 of 97 Re: "01 Forester with Head Gasket Leak [jacksan1] by vlh2 Nov 16, 2008 (6:07 am)
Replying to: jacksan1 (Mar 15, 2008 8:03 pm) I have an 02 Forrester that developed head gasket leaks. I took it to the dealer and they didn't mention the recall or that it may still have warranty on it, just want a couple of thousand dollars. I took it to a repair shop and in the process of starting to repair it, they found the recall and called me. I verified with them that there was only coolant leaking and took it back to the dealer. The dealer then called and said one was only leaking coolant, but the other was also leaking oil and the warranty wouldn't cover it. I told them I had had it checked by someone else and had verified there was no oil leaking. I finally told them to only fix the one, because at this point I didn't trust them at all! I haven't called Subaru yet, but plan on it. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Nov 18, 2008 1:38 pm)
#49 of 97 Re: "01 Forester with Head Gasket Leak [vlh2] by ateixeira Nov 18, 2008 (1:38 pm)
Replying to: vlh2 (Nov 16, 2008 6:07 am) Some 02s were covered, others were not. They had a running change during that model year, supposedly.   That's what I heard, anyway.
#50 of 97 I got Subaru to pay half by gherman131313 Nov 20, 2008 (9:38 pm)
2003 2.5X Forester, 110,000 miles. Was told by dealer oil leaking from head gasket. Called Subaru, they offered either to pay half or $1,000 off a new Forester.   I had the head gasket work done, wound up costing me around $600.

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