I'm new 2003 Forester 92K Head gasket leaking

Ranger100 · 11-12-2008, 03:08 PM

Hello All,

I just got this car about 2 weeks ago with 92K on it. Guess what? Head gaskets leaking, exturnal leak left head some -right head more. So far it's a slight leak...What have you used as far as sealer with any sucess? Does anyone have a break down on the average repair costs?

This is a nice driving car but the head gasket thing is a major disapointment. For those of you that had the repair done how long does it last? Is this a every 100,000 mile thing?

Thanks for any help that you may offer!

Ranger100

adc · 11-12-2008, 03:15 PM

Since the Subie has 2 HGs its more than average. Now the Timing Belt needs changed at 106K miles. So it would be best to do both at the same time. The engine gets yanked for both jobs I believe.

I'd guess the HG job costs at least 1 K bucks and the Timing belt is a bit over that, considering Water pump, seals and Idlers are changed.

to determine if the HG is leaking into your combustion chamber which is very possible do an oil analysis Blackstone Laboratories

Subaru sells a little bottle of "Conditioner" which is actually a stop-leak. Don't know if that will be sufficient. I'd suggest GM Leak-Tabs.

I assume you are a struggling college student..sucks. I graduated there in '69

Ranger100 · 11-12-2008, 04:14 PM

Hello ADC,

Thanks for getting back to me! Not a struggling college student - worse - in a divorce.

I was just thinking I know 2 people who have the Outback Station wagon and BOTH of their headgasket repairs were covered by Subaru -BOTH were repaired - FREE!!! -NO problem!!!
Is this the silent customer service good will of Subaru???

Since it's the same engine, right? under 100K it should be covered??? All of that sealer/treatment stuff is nonsense - they have a defective gasket/design problem/quality problem.

Any thoughts? Any recent stories of them covering the repairs???

Thanks!

Ranger100@gmail.com

pleiad7 · 11-12-2008, 04:47 PM

Not sure about the MY03, but the 99-02 models fell under the WWP-99 service campaign, which extended the warranty on external HG leaks to 8 yrs/100k miles.

Also check out this site: Head Gasket Problems - Subaru 2.5 liter engine - Phase 1 and 2

2.5x_sleeper · 11-12-2008, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adc

Since the Subie has 2 HGs its more than average. Now the Timing Belt needs changed at 106K miles. So it would be best to do both at the same time. The engine gets yanked for both jobs I believe.

I'd guess the HG job costs at least 1 K bucks and the Timing belt is a bit over that, considering Water pump, seals and Idlers are changed.

I don't think the engine needs to be pulled for the repairs, which should reduce the cost a bit. I agree, if one head is bad, do both. You may as well "bite the bullet" & get everything done, plus there may be a savings on the shop labor...:)

Bobby...

ddavidv · 11-13-2008, 02:36 PM

Not necessary to pull the sohc, but my Suba-guru pulls them anyway. It's just easier to work on them and it's a great time to replace some of the other seals.
Should you be handi-capable, here is a how-to:
Subaru Head Gasket and Clutch Replacement

11-12-2008, 03:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ranger100 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: State College PA USA Posts: 4 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I'm new 2003 Forester 92K Head gasket leaking Hello All, I just got this car about 2 weeks ago with 92K on it. Guess what? Head gaskets leaking, exturnal leak left head some -right head more. So far it's a slight leak...What have you used as far as sealer with any sucess? Does anyone have a break down on the average repair costs? This is a nice driving car but the head gasket thing is a major disapointment. For those of you that had the repair done how long does it last? Is this a every 100,000 mile thing? Thanks for any help that you may offer! Ranger100

11-12-2008, 03:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
adc Contributing Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Elizabethtown, Pa. Posts: 1,106 Gallery: 11 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Since the Subie has 2 HGs its more than average. Now the Timing Belt needs changed at 106K miles. So it would be best to do both at the same time. The engine gets yanked for both jobs I believe. I'd guess the HG job costs at least 1 K bucks and the Timing belt is a bit over that, considering Water pump, seals and Idlers are changed. to determine if the HG is leaking into your combustion chamber which is very possible do an oil analysis Blackstone Laboratories Subaru sells a little bottle of "Conditioner" which is actually a stop-leak. Don't know if that will be sufficient. I'd suggest GM Leak-Tabs. I assume you are a struggling college student..sucks. I graduated there in '69 __________________ Be careful what you wish for.

11-12-2008, 04:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ranger100 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: State College PA USA Posts: 4 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Head gaskets- Is Subaru now covering the repair? Hello ADC, Thanks for getting back to me! Not a struggling college student - worse - in a divorce. I was just thinking I know 2 people who have the Outback Station wagon and BOTH of their headgasket repairs were covered by Subaru -BOTH were repaired - FREE!!! -NO problem!!! Is this the silent customer service good will of Subaru??? Since it's the same engine, right? under 100K it should be covered??? All of that sealer/treatment stuff is nonsense - they have a defective gasket/design problem/quality problem. Any thoughts? Any recent stories of them covering the repairs??? Thanks! Ranger100@gmail.com

11-12-2008, 04:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
pleiad7 The Seventh Sister Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Redneck yard of the week, near Forest(er)ville, CA Posts: 13,038 Gallery: 8 iTrader: 16 / 100%	Not sure about the MY03, but the 99-02 models fell under the WWP-99 service campaign, which extended the warranty on external HG leaks to 8 yrs/100k miles. Also check out this site: Head Gasket Problems - Subaru 2.5 liter engine - Phase 1 and 2 __________________ -Silke 04 FXT PP PSM ~ "Subed" 98 Forester S ~ "Slynki" 92 SVX LS-L ~ x2

11-13-2008, 02:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
ddavidv Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Elizabethtown, PA Posts: 242 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Not necessary to pull the sohc, but my Suba-guru pulls them anyway. It's just easier to work on them and it's a great time to replace some of the other seals. Should you be handi-capable, here is a how-to: Subaru Head Gasket and Clutch Replacement __________________ '02 L m/t. Insurance adjuster 4 U.

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