My daughter just bought a 2004 2.5 Forester with 130 K miles on it. It is having coolant loss. Wondering how likely a bad head gasket might be as the cause of this, as well as the best way to diagnose the problem?
Thanks Bobby. Have passed your suggestions along to her, so she might be able to spot something, though it may be difficult to see the areas you mention without some disassembly. She is not nearby, or I could be more helpful to her.
Still looking for further suggestions on this question.
a bad headgasket is almost certainly the issue. Though, please describe "coolant loss". I don't mean that to sound ridiculous, but is she just looking at the overflow bottle or is she actually checking the radiator and filling it at the cap?
People constantly say that Subaru fixed their headgasket issue from 2003 forward. I fully disagree. The back of my garage is a headgasket cemetery of all the gaskets I've done and only one set is from anything older than 2003-my own. What they mean is that they changed the design slightly.
If she opts to have them replaced, go with fel-pro MLS gaskets or six-star. I would not recommend going with subaru oem gaskets again unless asked specifically. and DO NOT do ebay gaskets.
Also, make certain to use OEM Subaru coolant (green) and coolant conditioner (rebranded blue devil from what I can tell). It might be worth trying to use coolant conditioner before anything else anyway though it's probably too late for that and a bit of a fools errand.
Thanks for the informative response. Have suggested she get on this forum and ask her own questions and get the answers. I am nowhere near her or her car, so cannot do it nearly as well as she could.
I believe that subaru head gaskets would be fine if you use the MLS gaskets from the turbo motor. however, I fully endorse six-star gaskets, they are well made, but also expensive.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Subaru Forester Owners Forum
2.5M posts
188.6K members
Since 2006
We’re the best Subaru Forester Owners Forum to talk about the best years of the Subaru Forester, modifications and reliability history of the Subaru Forester.