[Mogulman]

My wife's old car (Now my son's car) has been leaking oil onto the driveway. It has been getting worse. Local independent Subaru repair guy said it will cost anywhere from $1800-$2800, depending on what needs to be done after he takes it apart (milling the heads, etc).

For a 2009 Subaru Forester with 120k miles, is worth doing this repair?

Can we just keep checking the oil level and let it go? How likely is it to stay the way, it is or will it probably get worse?

Hate to spend $2k on a car that's probably only worth $5k, but if it lasts a lot longer after this.

 

[orndog]

Are you close to due for the timing belt?
Head gaskets, heads re-worked, water pump and pulleys replaced with timing belt.... if everything else is solid you've got a great car for another 105k miles with random expected repairs and maintenance.

 

[adc]

I put 2100 in the head replacement and 1600 in the timing belt, idlers, tensioner, water pump, new radiator, rear wheel bearing, 2 altinators, suspension. About 5K altogether. Now have 191K on it. Well worth it. That was a 2008. Granddaughter has it. My wife wanted me to fix it when it occurred. She didn't want anyone else to get stuck with it. She is a great woman!!

 

[Miker104]

Checking the oil and topping it up is a viable option as long as you can stand the smell of the oil burning onto the exhaust. If the car is in good condition otherwise consider what it will cost you to replace the car, definitely more that $2k I would expect

 

[orndog]

My turn, but I'm going for the $3800 package.
Rebuilding heads, doing timing belt and accessories, and new clutch.

 

[ForesterCub]

Sorry to hear, BUT you'll have a great set up when you're done :grin2: If I can give a tip, since I not long ago did mine, make sure you get an OEM water pump, belt tensioner, thermostat, etc when doing the belt. There are some very suspect parts floating around at the moment in parts kits such as Gates.

 

[adc]

Go with new head bolts

 

[orndog]

Thanks for the tips guys, but for once I'm taking the easy route. Allpro Subie, the guys that built the Baby Driver cars, is handling this for me. They are doing it all right, and I'm trading busted knuckles, frustration, and anxiety in for a lighter wallet lol.

 

[orndog]

Dropped her off this morning, got an .... interesting loaner.

2017 Impreza on a lifted 2018 Crosstrek driveline. 2016 Crosstrek for reference.

 

[Buddur]

To keep your car and have the repair done is the better choice. To have a Subie specialist doing the work is the best choice.

I have <500 miles until my '06 turns 300K. So I like to think you'll have your car for at least 200K more miles after this.

 

[poffer]

Dropped her off this morning, got an .... interesting loaner.

2017 Impreza on a lifted 2018 Crosstrek driveline. 2016 Crosstrek for reference.

Really like that...

 

[orndog]

To keep your car and have the repair done is the better choice. To have a Subie specialist doing the work is the best choice.

I have <500 miles until my '06 turns 300K. So I like to think you'll have your car for at least 200K more miles after this.

With another timing belt change... I'm hoping!

Really like that...

I'm sure they'll build you one :grin2:


Almost in earlier today.

 

[adc]

I think you will be happy you put the $$$$ into it. I am glad I did. Keep us up to date.

 

[orndog]

And she's back.
Added to the earlier list is the clutch fluid line (it was seeping) and a battery (I've been meaning to get). Grand total after tax was $3600. That's a lot of work with rebuilt heads and all.

 

[poffer]

I'm sure they'll build you one :grin2

But would they ship it to the UK and put the steering wheel on the right? :wink2:

 

[nycredneck]

My head gasket went after 135,000 and 30,000 after I changed the timing belt, it now has 170,000 . I hope to be getting 3000,000 if I can out of my car.

 

[dieselsteveo]

Guys what typically needs to be done to the heads? Just machining them flat? Or more?

 

[ForesterCub]

Watch these 2 and then come back with any more questions

 

[vintage42]

Guys what typically needs to be done to the heads? Just machining them flat? Or more?

A little more. The engine must be removed. The heads checked and machined if needed. Multilayer steel head gaskets used. And the torquing done right.
https://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f66/fun-fact-about-headgaskets-695586/#post6818554
https://www.subaruforester.org/vbul...ek-after-head-gaskets-job-649954/#post6457602

 

[Kevin]

Interestingly the OP @Mogulman hasn't visited since starting this thread!

Maybe too busy skiing ;-)