Ask the Car People.SM


2003 Forester head gasket

29 messages,  Last post on Aug 30, 2011 at 5:04 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Auto Repair, Oil

Messages Page 3 of 4

#12 of 29 2003 forester head gasket issue by lotus35

Oct 03, 2010 (5:20 pm)

Let me preface this by stating, i have not had any "symptoms" of a blown headgasket. I noticed a couple small spots under my car, but that is it. My subaru dealership saw an external leak around both gaskets. Got a second opinion and he said it was just "seeping" and the headgaskets would have to be dealt with at some point. That was at 79,000. I have done nothing, but check oil, which is always at full mark and keep an eye on coolant reserve tank, which was usually around half full. Now I have 83,600 and have noticed in the last month that my coolant in reserve tank is just above the low mark. Still, no symptoms though. Went to a third mechanic and they said HG were leaking, but did not really say anything about the coolant loss. Both previous mechanics said it was an external(oil) HG problem. They changed oill and topped off the coolant. Here is the question..I bought this car from the dealership at 36,600miles. I noticed the service recordss indicated at 34,400 they had done a one-sided engine cylinder overhaul. I was niave enough to take them at their word that it was fixed and there were no other problems. Could that have contributed to this problem? I am reluctant to fix this if this car is going to be prone to engine problems. Maybe that should have been a red flag in the first place...
Any help/advice would be greatly apprciated!!!

#13 of 29 Re: 2003 forester head gasket issue [lotus35] by ateixeira

Oct 05, 2010 (8:39 am)

Replying to: lotus35 (Oct 03, 2010 5:20 pm)
They probably did change the gaskets and think it was resolved, but...
 
If the heads overheat and warp, even a new gasket won't seal properly.
 
The thing is, at 79k miles, that was several years after the service was done, so it's unlikely the dealer botched the job. You would have seen the issue right away.

#14 of 29 Re: 2003 forester head gasket issue [ateixeira] by lotus35

Oct 09, 2010 (7:24 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Oct 05, 2010 8:39 am)
Actually, Subaru is paying for it, which is surprising. Would it be prudent to get the timing belt/water pump/thermostat/spark plugs replaced at this time while the engine is already dismantled to save on labor cost or will they replace some of that during the head gasket replacement?

#15 of 29 Re: 2003 forester head gasket issue [lotus35] by cabriggs

Oct 09, 2010 (7:29 pm)

Replying to: lotus35 (Oct 09, 2010 7:24 am)
When I had my wife's '03 Forester's head gasket done, they did the timing belt for an additional $90. This dealer told me that on Foresters they never replace the water pump on a schedule, only if it starts leaking, which surprised me but I went along with it. They said they'd inspect it. I don't remember them saying anything about it afterward, so either they forgot about it or I did. Didn't think of the thermostat or plugs.

#16 of 29 Re: 2003 forester head gasket issue [lotus35] by xwesx

Oct 11, 2010 (10:03 am)

Replying to: lotus35 (Oct 09, 2010 7:24 am)
It is probably overkill to replace the water pump and thermostat with as few of miles as you have, but I'd do it since they are already in there. I didn't replace my water pump the first two times I had the engine torn apart (once at 83,000 and again at 144,000), and it failed on me at 177,000... at -25F, 0200 on a Sunday morning; it was not the best of circumstances!
 
All of these items should be charged strictly at the cost of the parts with no additional labor cost.

#17 of 29 Re: 2003 forester head gasket issue [xwesx] by dcm61

Oct 11, 2010 (4:07 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Oct 11, 2010 10:03 am)
All of these items should be charged strictly at the cost of the parts with no additional labor cost.
 
Replacing the water pump is additional labor (they don't have to touch it when doing the t-belt).
 
I was charged 1 hour additional labor (+ coolant) to do the water pump and thermostat on my '96 Outback, when they did the front crank seal and timing belt.

#18 of 29 Re: 2003 forester head gasket issue [dcm61] by xwesx

Oct 12, 2010 (9:16 am)

Replying to: dcm61 (Oct 11, 2010 4:07 pm)
Yes, but I think the original poster needs to have head gaskets replaced, which digs much further into the engine than the timing belt replacement. Even so, it is still a good idea to have the pump replaced when doing the timing belt service.

#19 of 29 Re: 2003 forester head gasket issue [cabriggs] by ateixeira

Oct 12, 2010 (9:35 am)

Replying to: cabriggs (Oct 09, 2010 7:29 pm)
For $90 heck yes I'd change the timing belt.
 
Technically it's not due until 105k, though.

#20 of 29 Another 2003 Forester head gasket by hikerpa

Nov 22, 2010 (10:29 am)

I seem to have the same problem as another message poster. After a recent oil change I was told that I had a small head gasket leak, but as of this morning it is no longer small. I called Subaru and there is no recall. They did say they could "offer a little assistance" if I were to take it to a Subaru dealer to have it repaired. However, they would not quote an amount.
 
Over the phone, the local Subaru dealer told me that it would cost $1,800 to $2,500 to repair. The car is sittling at a local mechanic's shop and I'm waiting for them to give me a price.
 
These engines seem to be have a known head gasket issue and it appears that the 2002 model was recalled. Is the 2003 engine different from the 2002? Are there fewer issues with the 2003?
 
Based on a comment that I read about this being a difficult repair to do without continuing leakage, is it better to go to the dealer than to the local non-Subaru mechanic?
 
I bought this car thinking that it would be trouble-free and last me a long time. A problem like this at only 75,000 miles is a major disappointment and has changed my previously high opinion of the Subaru line of vehicles.
 
Any advice would be sincerly appreciated.
 
Thanks

#21 of 29 Re: Another 2003 Forester head gasket [hikerpa] by xwesx

Nov 22, 2010 (11:21 am)

Replying to: hikerpa (Nov 22, 2010 10:29 am)
The engine is not different. They changed the gasket material in an attempt to make it more durable, along with requiring a different coolant formulation, but the open block EJ25 engine is prone to head gasket failures. Some do it young, most do not.
 
I have replaced the gaskets myself on an EJ25 (I did mine at 192,000, so not that young!) and did not have any leak issues afterward, so I think that as long as the mechanic does a detail-oriented job, it shouldn't matter if it is a "Subaru mechanic" or independent. Before you commit one way or the other, I would ask for a commitment from Subaru through the dealer. Sometimes they will cover the cost of parts associated with the job (which will probably save you $400 or so of the total cost, since it is mostly labor).
 
For a car as old as yours, that is still good faith.

Messages Page 3 of 4

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