Ask the Car People.SM


2001 forester head gasket issue

8 messages,  Last post on Nov 23, 2009 at 6:59 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Subaru, Engine, Wagon

Messages Page 2 of 2

#3 of 8 Re: 2001 forester head gasket issue [bigfrank3] by joem63

Oct 06, 2009 (11:34 am)

Replying to: bigfrank3 (Oct 06, 2009 10:14 am)
With the car up on the rack, the first guy showed me oil seepage on the bottom of the engine on both sides. It looked like the leak came from where two parts of the engine come together. The oil was not dripping down from the top. [Please excuse my ignorance here] Mechanic #1: "oil leak from both cylinder head gaskets (will leak onto exhaust and have odor)." He estimated 6 months before major surgery would be necessary.
 
                             Joe

#4 of 8 Re: 2001 forester head gasket issue [joem63] by daniell

Oct 06, 2009 (5:16 pm)

Replying to: joem63 (Oct 06, 2009 11:34 am)
I had the same thing happen to me a couple of months ago. I have a 2002 Forester S, 72k miles.
Internal coolant leak and external oil leak are two known Subaru head gasket issues. You are right, this is not covered by the Subaru recall and extended warranty.
The Subaru mechanic suggested that I had the repair done, and have the timing belt changed at that time, so I had it done. Cost was about $1800 before taxes. Since this is a known problem with the Subaru 2.5l engines, after several calls to Subaru USA they agreed to reimburse about half the repair costs. I suggest you have the repair done, then call Subaru, and explain the situation. Be persistent but polite, and you have a good chance to get some money back.
 
Daniel

#5 of 8 Re: 2001 forester head gasket issue [daniell] by ateixeira

Oct 07, 2009 (7:50 am)

Replying to: daniell (Oct 06, 2009 5:16 pm)
The number is 800-SUBARU3.

#6 of 8 Been a while by illinoiscentra

Nov 02, 2009 (7:43 am)

A quick check of my old account, last used in 2002, before I post a real question.

#7 of 8 Lost trust in subaru by loddo

Nov 15, 2009 (12:06 am)

On a 2001 subaru forester, the head gasket blew at 127,000 miles. Not being a mechanic, my best guess as to what happened is that the thermostat failed, allowing the car to overheat. The heat caused the head gasket failure, which created more heat still, eventually causing the radiator to fail also.
 
My mechanic is of the opinion that the engine isn’t worth rebuilding due to the amount of heat that was generated when the gasket blew. I am inclined to agree with him. But I am now out a vehicle, it was a 2001 with only 127,000 miles on it.
 
I bought a subaru because I wanted a durable car that would last. I serviced it regularly, having oil changes, etc. when suggested by the manufacture. It was in for a oil service/ check-up only two weeks earlier where all points were looked at and fluids checked. This was totally unexpected, I received no warnings from subaru. I won't buy another one.

#8 of 8 Re: Lost trust in subaru [loddo] by aatherton

Nov 23, 2009 (6:59 pm)

Replying to: loddo (Nov 15, 2009 12:06 am)
"On a 2001 subaru forester, the head gasket blew at 127,000 miles. Not being a mechanic, my best guess as to what happened is that the thermostat failed, allowing the car to overheat. The heat caused the head gasket failure, which created more heat still, eventually causing the radiator to fail also..."
 
No, a head gasket leak causes a slow loss of coolant. The loss of coolant should have been caught before it damaged anything. Most Forester owners replace the head gasket(s) when coolant loss is noticed, and go on with the car.
If your car overheated enough to ruin the engine, there was a more sudden leak from something else, like a hose or the radiator.

Messages Page 2 of 2

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