I have a 2000 2.5rs and I have a feeling the headgaskets are bad, does anyone know where I can have a compression test done? I'm looking to get this done tomorrow.

 

Most shops can help you out. LIC Motorsports in Novato is a great place to go. If you're looking at a place closer to you there's GST in Hayward and Speedelement in Fremont. Typically the headgaskets go on those cars around 100k +. Thankfully my 1st RS didn't have that issue

 

I seen people on here doing compression tests for like $30 or something like that, would it be cheaper to go to GST?

 

You can go to you're local autozone or whichever and rent/buy a compression meter. Its really easy to do yourself. The kit should explain how or i could if you need the info.

 

I can't speak for any shop and how much they would charge. It would be best to contact whichever shop you choose and directly ask them.

 

If you could explain briefly what I have to do that'd be great

 

3/8" drive ratchet $9:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40591

extended reach spark plug socket $5:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91705

Compression tester $9:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92697

some guidance $free$:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=956842

Here are some photos of when I checked mine at 80k. Need to do this again since i'm now at 110k.
http://picasaweb.google.com/mattsnow...essionCheck80K

 

Haha, all the pictures on the nasioc page are gone

 

couple questions about your car...
does your car overheat or run hot?
when the car is running is your coolant overflow tanking bubbling?

If the answer is yes to both questions then save yourself some time doing a compression test...you have blown your headgaskets.

If your answer is no to both then proceed with your plan.

cheers,
drew

 

^-- thinking outside the box.

 

It overheats atleast that's what the temp gauge says but the temp goes up and down quickly within about 5 minutes.

and I haven't checked the overflow tank.

 

well i wouldn't say just cus it over heats and over flows is a head gasket because i have seen this very same thing to be just a water pump or a bad radiator. Haven't blow a gasket in a suby but in a ford when i did i had oil in my water and i didnt leak anything that i knew of but i was over heating alot. A friend just had some issues of it over heating and also losing fluids and it was a broken water pump and also there was a crack in the new radiator so you never know..

 

the 99-01 impreza N/A head gaskets as well is the 02+ are notorious for going bad around 100k miles. SOA recommends the coolant conditioner additive as a cheap life extender for the head gasket. so for you RS/NA impreza folks remember to get the coolant conditioner additive.

 

I just got back from the shop, and they said my thermostat was leaking, so im guessing that was the problem? they also said it could have been getting stuck too