My friend is in the market for a used car, and I know he likes Subarus. The AWD is a nice thing to have when it snows here... but I've also heard of a LOT of horror stories about certain years of Subaru 2.5's eating head gaskets... My sister's boyfriend's mom's Forester's head gasket just gave out a few weeks ago actually. They had to have the entire engine rebuilt after it overheated. Anyone know which years are safe?
Which Subarus are head gasket eaters?
- Thread starter ThirdeYe
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All more recent including new Subies require the Subie cooling system sealant to be added to each scheduled coolant replacement.
This will get the car throught the warranty periods easily.
Then what? Clogamatitus?
This will get the car throught the warranty periods easily.
Then what? Clogamatitus?
google is ur friend, just type in subaru head gasket failure, and you will find this excellent article that tells you when, why, and what to do. it tells you what to look for to detect early problems: i suggest you click the link, it will clearly answer everything you need to know:
http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/
http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/
My 2007 2.5 SOHC has a head gasket leak. We just passed 20k last week and we are doing the "procedure" to satisfy Subaru before they hopefully fix it.
So far, they have dumped the stop leak (oh sorry, "conditioner"
) in, topped off the coolant tank to the full line, note the mileage, drive it and once it was down, put in another stop leak, top off, put in UV Dye and we are now down 1/2 quart in the tank.
It is a external leak (you can smell the coolant when the car is in the garage or once you stop the engine, you can smell it in the parking lot) and my UOAs (last one about 6k ago) show no coolant.
The Subaru is a fantastic drive train that works amazing(esp in snow/ice).
Its also VERY complicated (esp for a 4 cyl)
Take care, bill
So far, they have dumped the stop leak (oh sorry, "conditioner"
It is a external leak (you can smell the coolant when the car is in the garage or once you stop the engine, you can smell it in the parking lot) and my UOAs (last one about 6k ago) show no coolant.
The Subaru is a fantastic drive train that works amazing(esp in snow/ice).
Its also VERY complicated (esp for a 4 cyl)
Take care, bill
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Originally Posted By: scoobie
google is ur friend, just type in subaru head gasket failure, and you will find this excellent article that tells you when, why, and what to do. it tells you what to look for to detect early problems: i suggest you click the link, it will clearly answer everything you need to know:
http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/
EXCELLENT link!
Never thought about the coolant ALWAYS in contact with the head gaskets in a H motor...
Thanks!
google is ur friend, just type in subaru head gasket failure, and you will find this excellent article that tells you when, why, and what to do. it tells you what to look for to detect early problems: i suggest you click the link, it will clearly answer everything you need to know:
http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/
EXCELLENT link!
Never thought about the coolant ALWAYS in contact with the head gaskets in a H motor...
Thanks!
In a nutshell:
1996-1999 2.5 Phase I can have an internal leak. Badbadbad.
2000-2002 2.5 Phase II can have external peeping leak. Sucky, but less bad than above.
The HG's got a redesign in 03 and have a lower failure rate, although as Bill points out, some problems still exist.
I think Subaru recommends their coolant conditioner to be added to every coolant service on a 2000 and up model.
1996-1999 2.5 Phase I can have an internal leak. Badbadbad.
2000-2002 2.5 Phase II can have external peeping leak. Sucky, but less bad than above.
The HG's got a redesign in 03 and have a lower failure rate, although as Bill points out, some problems still exist.
I think Subaru recommends their coolant conditioner to be added to every coolant service on a 2000 and up model.
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Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: scoobie
google is ur friend, just type in subaru head gasket failure, and you will find this excellent article that tells you when, why, and what to do. it tells you what to look for to detect early problems: i suggest you click the link, it will clearly answer everything you need to know:
http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/
EXCELLENT link!
Never thought about the coolant ALWAYS in contact with the head gaskets in a H motor...
Thanks!
That's the case with almost all engines, it's not a boxer thing. When you have no air in your cooling system, what's taking up the space?
Originally Posted By: scoobie
google is ur friend, just type in subaru head gasket failure, and you will find this excellent article that tells you when, why, and what to do. it tells you what to look for to detect early problems: i suggest you click the link, it will clearly answer everything you need to know:
http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/
EXCELLENT link!
Never thought about the coolant ALWAYS in contact with the head gaskets in a H motor...
Thanks!
That's the case with almost all engines, it's not a boxer thing. When you have no air in your cooling system, what's taking up the space?
Okay thanks for the links, I think we'll avoid Subarus... disappointing because I really like the cars.
I was out today with dozens of cars and trucks stuck in the snow storm. Went right by them and around them.
It really is the best for snow and ice. But it is more complex.. Depending on what/how this repair is with mine will decide if we keep it or get something else.
They go down the road very nice @75-80 getting high 20s loaded on vacation too.
Take care, Bill
It really is the best for snow and ice. But it is more complex.. Depending on what/how this repair is with mine will decide if we keep it or get something else.
They go down the road very nice @75-80 getting high 20s loaded on vacation too.
Take care, Bill
My earlier post was not a cut on Subarus.
I like Subaru vehicles. The head gasket issue just happens to be one of their common problems. All vehicles have issues. The HG failures I have seen were mostly on high mileage vehicles over 125K. Might not be a bad idea to do a preventative replacement at about 100K and keep on driving!
I like Subaru vehicles. The head gasket issue just happens to be one of their common problems. All vehicles have issues. The HG failures I have seen were mostly on high mileage vehicles over 125K. Might not be a bad idea to do a preventative replacement at about 100K and keep on driving!
Bill,
After your struggles with HG's on your Taurus, I'm suprised you have ANY patience for a vehicle that has that problem again...I'd expect you to just dump the car once the problem showed up - I know you have no time for this kind of [censored] on a modern car....
After your struggles with HG's on your Taurus, I'm suprised you have ANY patience for a vehicle that has that problem again...I'd expect you to just dump the car once the problem showed up - I know you have no time for this kind of [censored] on a modern car....
Yeah I'm not happy.
The problem is my wife HATES minivans and we need some type of a wagon. I like the car over all (have a few items that I don't like) and it really does drive and perform well in all seasons which the wife needs since she is on the road well before any plows come out.
(which seems to be less and less with excuses like the economy... another gripe)
I really wish that Honda or Toyota would come out with a real wagon that was reasonable in price. Since they have neither and the choices are limited in a true wagon...
I'm spose to go back to the dealership for the UV test and then see where they want to go with it from here. Just trying to find time these last few weeks... (the local (only) Subaru dealership is 40 miles away. The next closer one is 55 miles away)
Hopefully they can fix it and it *never* comes back.
I sorta doubt it...
Thanks, bill
The problem is my wife HATES minivans and we need some type of a wagon. I like the car over all (have a few items that I don't like) and it really does drive and perform well in all seasons which the wife needs since she is on the road well before any plows come out.
(which seems to be less and less with excuses like the economy... another gripe)
I really wish that Honda or Toyota would come out with a real wagon that was reasonable in price. Since they have neither and the choices are limited in a true wagon...
I'm spose to go back to the dealership for the UV test and then see where they want to go with it from here. Just trying to find time these last few weeks... (the local (only) Subaru dealership is 40 miles away. The next closer one is 55 miles away)
Hopefully they can fix it and it *never* comes back.
I sorta doubt it...
Thanks, bill
Bill,
Does the soon-to-be Toyota Venzna(?) fit the bill at all? Its a Camry-ish 'tall wagon' that will be coming out right about now. With the luck you have had with your Toyota, you might want to look at it....its also availiable with all-wheel drive, I think.
Just an idea, if you get sick of the Subaru....
Does the soon-to-be Toyota Venzna(?) fit the bill at all? Its a Camry-ish 'tall wagon' that will be coming out right about now. With the luck you have had with your Toyota, you might want to look at it....its also availiable with all-wheel drive, I think.
Just an idea, if you get sick of the Subaru....
Too much $$$.
Also Toyota's AWD system is not very good.
Also Toyota's AWD system is not very good.
The leak is external.
You can smell it and the 3 UOAs that I have done with the Subaru showed no coolant in the engine.
You can smell it and the 3 UOAs that I have done with the Subaru showed no coolant in the engine.
I had a 2000 Subaru Impreza rs25 before I got my corolla. I really miss that car. As Bill and others have said, it is an awesome car for snow.
Mine also had the HG fixed. They told me that they have revised the HG and they replaced it with a better one. I sold the car to a local guy and had a chance to check it out. I now has over 70k after the HG fix and no signs of problems. Mine weeped for months and traveled 10k miles after "the fix" (coolant additive) before Subaru ponied up and actually replaced the HGs. Since it was just a very slow external link it didn't cause any internal problems. IT leaked so slow I never even saw noticeable loss of coolant when I checked. Just know that it is something to keep an eye on and be happy with the rest of the car. If you like the boxer engine and AWD then you really only have subaru as an option.
When I went shopping for a new car I really liked the 2007 impreza wagons, but at the time I was driving a lot and chose the corolla for the better fuel economy. I am now driving less and will be moving to a new job soon. I am contemplating going back to Subaru once I get relocated. If you know about the HG issue and watch for weeping, you can catch it before it causes major problems.
Mine also had the HG fixed. They told me that they have revised the HG and they replaced it with a better one. I sold the car to a local guy and had a chance to check it out. I now has over 70k after the HG fix and no signs of problems. Mine weeped for months and traveled 10k miles after "the fix" (coolant additive) before Subaru ponied up and actually replaced the HGs. Since it was just a very slow external link it didn't cause any internal problems. IT leaked so slow I never even saw noticeable loss of coolant when I checked. Just know that it is something to keep an eye on and be happy with the rest of the car. If you like the boxer engine and AWD then you really only have subaru as an option.
When I went shopping for a new car I really liked the 2007 impreza wagons, but at the time I was driving a lot and chose the corolla for the better fuel economy. I am now driving less and will be moving to a new job soon. I am contemplating going back to Subaru once I get relocated. If you know about the HG issue and watch for weeping, you can catch it before it causes major problems.
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