The moment you overheat any vehicle, there is a high probability you'll need new head gaskets and possibly machine shop work on the heads to repair possible head damage. This is not unique to Subaru. Overheating any engine...

 

Yes, older model year Subarus were more likely to have head gasket leaks even without an overheat event. But as bmann400 stated any engine that overheats can have a head gasket failure. It happened to a friend's Toyota RAV4 with less than 80k miles after a overheat event.

 

Yikes. So it does actually need a new head gasket...

 

@Jettebens Get 2nd and 3rd quotes. Detailed quotes telling you what you're paying for.

 

The thing with subaru is that the heads (I am pretty sure) can not leak coolant bc they are separate from the combustion chamber. I am very curious as th "why" it overheated in the first place. Low or not enough coolant? That is my guess. 5K is insane. Find a Subaru Specialist. Keep us informed. Give your approximate location. Someone may know a specialist.

Many times the OP never gets back with results. Hope this is not the case.

 

... the heads... can not leak coolant bc they are separate from the combustion chamber...

Not sure what you mean, as the head is the top of a combustion chamber, with the rest of it formed in the cylinder as the piston descends. Coolant ciruclates from the block into the head through holes in the head gasket.

('14-'18) - 2015 - blown head gasket - Out of...

2015 Subaru Forester, bought new from dealer in August 5, 2014, has 49009 miles on it, has blown head gasket, oil and water in COOLANT reservior. So, over warranty by 3 months, UNDER MILEAGE, will Subaru give me warranty benefit??? And insights or personal history greatly appreciated...

www.subaruforester.org

 

I’m in northwest OH and would love to find a specialist or sell the vehicle to someone who would like the project. Great car otherwise.

 

The engine also has separate cooling circuits for the cylinder block and head to improve coolant flow and distribution. The flow rate was capped along the block to maintain a high temperature for the cylinder liner oil, thus reducing piston friction during motions.

Subaru FB25 2.5L: Everything You Need To Know – Dust Runners Automotive Journal

 

Jettebens
The older Subaru cars with the EJ engines had head gasket failures due to a poorly designed head gaskets.
In your case the problem was due to overheating and that will cause HG problems in any car as was stated.

Get some other estimates, but you might also consider getting estimates and looking for a used, low mileage engine. which might be a less expensive way to go.

Some used engines can be had with a warranty, and especially since it sounds like you are planning to sell the car, it may be easier to sell it that way, i.e. a car with a low mileage engine, vs a car with an engine close to 100K that's been repaired.

In any case, good luck.

 

Guys let's leave this coolant discussion for another thread, it's not helping the OP...

 

It helps because it means his engine can have a head gasket leak for which a shop quoted $5K.

 

Thanks, all for the information! Hopefully this means the repair is simpler than originally thought (though I am not sure from the posts)... any shop recommendations in the northwest Ohio area?