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Review of Subaru Head Gasket Problems

37 messages,  Last post on Jul 20, 2010 at 9:20 AM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Subaru, Auto Repair, Wagon

Messages Page 2 of 4

#11 of 37 Update by srobin

Feb 18, 2010 (8:49 pm)

I was speaking with a friend today who had owned a 1998 Outback that required a HG. She traded it in for a 2008 outback. She also thought that the problem ended with the 2003 model. Her ex owns a 2005 that now requires a new HG. I told her my story of the 2003 needing a HG. She is now throwing in the towel on the 2008 and will be selling it. I did not encourage her decision, but the history is there. When will Subaru admit to this problem by providing 100% support.

#12 of 37 2003 Baja Head Gasket issues by gman88

Feb 20, 2010 (9:44 pm)

I purchased my 2003 Baja new, with the 100K extended warranty. At 37K, the first Head Gasket repair too place, under warranty. I didn't realize that they only replace the bad side. At 102,000 miles, right outside of warranty or course, it needed head gaskets again. I called Subaru and they offered $500 on the $1700 repair. I wanted to drive the Baja until the wheels fall off, so I assume I will be down this road again. I was able to use a 15% Labor discount coupon, $200 in Subaru bucks, from the Subaru credit card rewards. While they were at it, I had them replace the timing belt, water pump (which was leaking anyway), and reseal the oil pump. Although it looked perfectly fine, I had them do it anyway. I suppose that I got off easy and tons of maintenance work done, but it is still disturbing. From my research, this is a common Subaru problem. I was wondering if other Subaru's on the road with a few hunderd thousand miles have been through this more that once. Thanks.

#13 of 37 Re: 2003 Baja Head Gasket issues [gman88] by xwesx

Feb 22, 2010 (12:29 pm)

Replying to: gman88 (Feb 20, 2010 9:44 pm)
I lucked out with my '96 and did not need to replace head gaskets until 192,000 miles. I put another 28,000 on it with no further problems, but fate had other plans for that old car and I was never able to see just how long the new gaskets were to hold out.

#14 of 37 Final Word by srobin

Feb 23, 2010 (8:46 pm)

Subaru completed HG repair on my 2003 Outback with 53,000 miles today. The Invoice states the cause as: "Improper Seating".
 
Split for 50/50 labor and parts for HG only. Timing belt, water pump, thermostat were not covered.
 
Total cost to me for Subaru's improper seating was $976.06 and three days loss of vehicle.
 
My advise is have your Outback checked before the warranty expires or consider this additional cost when you buy or consider another vehicle.

#15 of 37 Re: Final Word [srobin] by fibber2

Feb 25, 2010 (8:43 am)

Replying to: srobin (Feb 23, 2010 8:46 pm)
Did the $976 out of pocket include the accessory & timing belt, pump and thermostat? If so, it reduces the sting a little bit. While your miles are low, at the 7 year mark there is good sense in considering this service anyhow. They also did an oil change and a coolant change as part of the procedure. I'd estimate all this to ring in at around $500 or so if you paid for it as a conventional service visit.
 
I agree that none of this should have happened to you, but at least you got something tangible out of it. Hopefully, you will get many more years of good service from the car. I know how much I enjoyed driving mine in to work thru the snow this morning!

#16 of 37 Re: Final Word [fibber2] by ateixeira

Feb 26, 2010 (8:45 am)

Replying to: fibber2 (Feb 25, 2010 8:43 am)
I had all that done on my Miata and it cost me a whopping $1100. That plus some cooling system work.
 
No head gaskets, though.

#17 of 37 Re: Final Word [srobin] by jfl

Mar 25, 2010 (7:11 pm)

Replying to: srobin (Feb 23, 2010 8:46 pm)
Timing belts are good for 105k miles, so you don't need to replace it until you hit 158k miles. If a dealer tells you to replace it at 105k, let him know it was already done at 53k.
 
I'll hit 210k pretty soon and need my second timing belt replacement.

#18 of 37 should i buy a-05 outback with the head gasket problem? by loosenut

Mar 27, 2010 (9:55 pm)

craigslist has one listed for a real reasonable price,and-i'm reasonably mecanically inclined..
what is the real problem?is it the gasket,or is the head itself cracking??and what would parts average me?..
-i'm on a limited income-not unlike lots of folks out there today,..haven't worked on one,but used to fix my old air cooled vw back in the day,and the subaru flat 4 seems to be real similar..as well as the durability factor-not unlike the old bugs..just ondering if that might be worth my time..thanks..

#19 of 37 Re: should i buy a-05 outback with the head gasket problem? [loosenut] by xwesx

Mar 29, 2010 (11:38 am)

Replying to: loosenut (Mar 27, 2010 9:55 pm)
It is hard to say without more information on the car; it could be either problem! However, if the engine has not been severely overheated, the chances are that the gasket is the problem. I have replaced these on the 2.5L before and the job is fairly simple, if not labor-intensive. Including replacing several other parts (such as timing belts, pulleys, etc), I spent about $500 to do mine and had great results. You will probably need to replace the timing belt ($100), but the pulleys should be okay depending on mileage. My car was at 192,000 when I did the work.

#20 of 37 Re: should i buy a-05 outback with the head gasket problem? [xwesx] by loosenut

Mar 31, 2010 (7:15 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Mar 29, 2010 11:38 am)
many thanks..just havent done a subie --yet,and was curious.
--sounds-and kinda reminds me of the old-air cooled vw's..did heads on those about every other year-till i learned to drive it..air cooled=high rpm's..specially when climbing hills !...all motors are really like that-happyist when oil pressure-air flo-coolant,etc-is flowing at max-without blowing up !
thanks!!

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