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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 11 of 16

#97 of 150 Re: 2001 forester...what is the problem, mechanic not sure [mariann2] by sd70

Jun 24, 2009 (7:36 pm)

Replying to: mariann2 (Jun 08, 2009 8:06 pm)
I'm a little late but...
 
My '01 Forester was doing the same exact thing a couple of months ago. They replaced the O2 sensor and she was running like a charm again. hope this helps.
 
BTW.... I needed head gaskets a few years ago. I noticed my fan was running more often than it should be, but the car was not overheating. I was told I needed new gaskets, but it was covered under warranty. Seems to be great ever since. I was very happy to see Subaru step up to solve this issue.

#98 of 150 2005 Subaru Forester Head Gasket problem by krispychick

Dec 07, 2009 (4:13 pm)

Has any had a head gasket problem with the 2005 model? I brought my car in for a recall and was told I need new head gaskets, tires and brakes. My tires were two year old - annoying to say the least. But the head gasket issue is obviously a design flaw in subaru's. I was wondering if Subaru would give me half toward the HD repair. Anyone have any experience with that?
 
thanks!

#99 of 150 Re: 2005 Subaru Forester Head Gasket problem [krispychick] by erikwi

Dec 07, 2009 (6:04 pm)

Replying to: krispychick (Dec 07, 2009 4:13 pm)
Had my 2006 done under warranty at 43k and now my mom's getting the head gaskets replaced on her car at 30k under warranty. Do you have any warranty left?

#100 of 150 Re: 2005 Subaru Forester Head Gasket problem [erikwi] by krispychick

Dec 07, 2009 (6:19 pm)

Replying to: erikwi (Dec 07, 2009 6:04 pm)
Thanks for your reply. Wow - 2006 at at 43K! Unfortunately I don't have any warranty left - I just hit 75,000 miles and I am sure that is over the warranty.
Any suggestions? Do you think it would help to call the corporate office?

#101 of 150 Re: 2005 Subaru Forester Head Gasket problem [krispychick] by goldengal

Dec 07, 2009 (6:19 pm)

Replying to: krispychick (Dec 07, 2009 4:13 pm)
I did not realize that the HG problem extended past the 03 models. We replaced our HG's on our 03 Forester and it runs great. If you don't have any warranty left -get in touch with Subaru of America and get them to at least pay half of the cost. Make sure it is your HG by reading up on the signs and symptoms in the forums. As for tires make sure they do an alignment and check tire warranty as well. We took our subie in to a private mechanic to confirm what the dealership had told us before giving the car up to the stealership for repair. SoA will only help with cost if you have it repaired at dealership. Best of luck.

#102 of 150 Re: 2005 Subaru Forester Head Gasket problem [goldengal] by krispychick

Dec 07, 2009 (6:22 pm)

Replying to: goldengal (Dec 07, 2009 6:19 pm)
Yes, apparently this is a design issue - a poor design -so it does extend beyond the 03 models. I will try getting in touch with Subaru of Ameica. I originally put the car in the dealer for a recall issue and they were the ones who told me I needed head gaskets. Do you think I should still have it confirmed somewhere else? I don't have any signs of a problem.

#103 of 150 Re: 2005 Subaru Forester Head Gasket problem [krispychick] by goldengal

Dec 07, 2009 (6:45 pm)

Replying to: krispychick (Dec 07, 2009 6:22 pm)
Hi CC
Our symptoms for the HG issue was leaking coolant, a sweet smell like maple syrup, and some smoke from the hood after driving -Yikes! We went online to search for great reviews of the best independent Subaru mechanic in the Twin Cities and found a honest mechanic who did the oil/coolant test to confirm (along with other checks).
 I think he charged 40.00 to go over the entire car. There is an oil test you can order online and do yourself (read this forum) for less. We will only go to the dealership if SOA is going to help pay or a recall from now on. For example: We had a rattle sound under the hood and the dealership said it was our heat shield or something $$$$. Then we took it to the independent shop and the mechanic found that one of our deer whistles had broken off and was rattling around somewhere in the grill area. Save tons on that visit.
Not all independent mechanics are honest but with a little research (click and clack) -you might find one in your town. Hope this helps

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

Dec 08, 2009 (7:28 am)

Replying to: erikwi (Dec 05, 2008 10:29 am)
"... I'm back from the dealer... They've also suggested that my using pure synthetic oil may have caused the leak which I don't buy. Tech told me Subaru doesn't recommend the use of synthetic oil in the engine until it has at least 75k on it. If this is the case, why does it not say "No synthetic oil" in the owner's manual?.."
 
Because Subaru says it is perfectly alright to use synthetic oil. The following is taken from an issue of EndWrench (http://endwrench.com/), a Subaru publication for professional repair technicians in Subaru dealers:
 
"The Use of Synthetic Engine Oil.
Subaru of America, Inc. allows the use of synthetic oil that meets the same requirements for conventional engine oil. When using synthetic oil, you must use oil of the same classification, viscosity and grade specified for the vehicle, and you must follow the oil and filter changing intervals shown in the specified mainte- nance schedule."
http://endwrench.com/images/pdfs/NotSoBasic_08.08ew.pdf
 
You say your Owners Manual does not say "No Synthetic Oil"? On the contrary, my Owners Manual goes so far as to specifically allow it. Page 11-11 says:
 
"Synthetic oil.
You can use synthetic engine oil that
meets the same requirements given for
conventional engine oil. When using
synthetic oil, you must use oil of the same
classification, viscosity and grade shown
in this Owner’s Manual, and must follow
the oil and filter changing intervals shown
in the maintenance schedule."

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

Dec 08, 2009 (9:58 am)

Replying to: aatherton (Dec 08, 2009 7:28 am)
No, I said the dealer told me that Subaru doesn't recommend the use of synthetic oil even though the owner's manual clearly states it is acceptable provided it meets the same standards as regular oil. That was when I had it over there to have the HG replaced. The service manager said "That synthetic oil you use is probably why you have a head gasket leak at 43k miles."

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

Dec 08, 2009 (11:47 am)

Replying to: erikwi (Dec 08, 2009 9:58 am)
No, Subaru says it does not matter what type of oil you use as long as it meets specs and is changed at the proper interval.
And head gaskets have no physical connection to oil like bearings and seals, so it matters even less the type of oil used.

Messages Page 11 of 16

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