Hello everyone. I own a 2002 forester L that is losing engine coolant. I figure it’s the head gasket but it’s not showing up in the oil so I’ve just been topping it off and going. Car has 150k and lately the engine has developed a rather nasty tap when started cold. It always taps but it’s really bad when cold. The transmission works well but I was under there yesterday trying to stop a rattle and the whole pan is gooey. A good bit of gooeyness under the engine also. I don’t know anything about the AWD system except that the car drives fine. A shop has quoted $2400 to replace head gasket and anything they take off to get to it. What do you think? I’d hate to invest this money just to have problems with the bottom end of the motor in a few thousand miles. Alternatively, I could buy a nearby 05 xt for $6000.