Just got the word that my 2010 Forester needs new head gaskets, sway bar links, ball joints, radiator, differential fluid and transmission filter. A mechanic I know and trust quotes me just over $3000 after tax. I paid $6400 for the car 1.5 years ago with 131k miles. It now has 160k miles. I went to my local Subaru dealership and they offered $3800 for it towards a certified used 2017 Forester premium with 22k miles. Should I pay for the repairs and keep this car or trade/sell it myself and get a new model (not necessarily the one at the dealership). Thanks!!
Keep or trade in????
('09-'13)
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No need for a tranny filter. Why doesit "need" a radiator and a diff change? Make sure a subaru specialist does the HG's.
If done right its worth it. I had all the thingsplus a total changeout of idlers, tensioner, and water pump. I have put in over $4K on my 08 and it now has 181K miles and going very very strong.
Its more than worth it if you get a good job.
BTW you don't need a HG if its only seeping OIL. Only if it uses coolant or visably leaks coolant.
If done right its worth it. I had all the thingsplus a total changeout of idlers, tensioner, and water pump. I have put in over $4K on my 08 and it now has 181K miles and going very very strong.
Its more than worth it if you get a good job.
BTW you don't need a HG if its only seeping OIL. Only if it uses coolant or visably leaks coolant.
Firestone, my local Subaru dealership and this mechanic all say it needs HG. I’ve been talking with him for a while about the transmission bc I bought it used without any service history on the transmission. Thought it’d be a good idea to toss a new filter on since it can’t be flushed. Thoughts on that? He also suggested a radiator and he’d only charge for the part since the engine is out anyway
To the best of my knowledge the 2010 Forester does not have a transmission filter. Is the car overheating? Such that it needs a new radiator? And head gaskets? Or is the radiator leaking? Even though you trust the mechanic it is important to ask questions and get him to show you the problems. Also, you don't have to do all the repairs at once. You can scatter them over several months. Ask the mechanic which repairs can wait, and which are urgent, then fix the urgent ones first. It is almost always cheaper to repair your old car than to acquire a new one.
The external filter was deleted.; It does not need to have the pan filter changed. I would do 3 drain ad fills (8 oz less than one gallon) over the next year.
I repeat..unless you actually see a drop of coolant at the HG's DO NOT CHANGE THEM The radiator on the NON turbos is fine. Don't need changing allthough if the engine isj out it wouldn't hurt.
As I said..look for a good subaru specialist. I highly doubt your hg's need changed. Keep us up to date.
I repeat..unless you actually see a drop of coolant at the HG's DO NOT CHANGE THEM The radiator on the NON turbos is fine. Don't need changing allthough if the engine isj out it wouldn't hurt.
As I said..look for a good subaru specialist. I highly doubt your hg's need changed. Keep us up to date.
I think the only urgent repair is the HG, sway bar links and ball joints. The radiator isn’t urgent but for $130 while the engine is out it makes sense don’t you think?
I will ask him about the coolant. If it’s just oil leaking out of the Heads what other repair would there be besides replacing the gaskets? Also, the Subaru dealer (who is a Subaru specialist of course) said HGs are needed. Also, I’ll ask what the mechanic thinks about your transmission strategy. Thanks!!
Subaru gaskets leak..its the mark of a subaru but should not be changed until it drips on the floor or there is COOLANT. If the rad only is 130..change it.
Tranny does not need a filter..like I said ..a couple drain and fills.
If the HG are replaced..use new studs.
Tranny does not need a filter..like I said ..a couple drain and fills.
If the HG are replaced..use new studs.
It’s leaking oil onto the ground to the point of me needing to monitor and replace oil every couple hundred miles or so. I think I’ll do the repairs if you think $2500 for HG, sway bar links, ball joints and a radiator is worth it to keep the car instead of trade it in. If so, I’ll hold off on the trans filter and diff fluid. Thoughts? THANK YOU for your help Thusfar!
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