I drive a 1998 Legacy Outback... back in May It overheated and I had the heads inspected for damages and the gaskets replaced... and then on Labor day it overheated again... This time my mechanic has come to the conclusion that the water pump failed... but he still wants to inspect the heads and gaskets...

So here is my dilemma... It will cost around $1300 to inspect the heads and gaskets... keep in mind that they were inspected three months ago and were deemed suitable... Should I cough up the dough to replace the water pump and inspect the heads and gaskets or would it be safe to just replace the water pump and forgo the head inspection?

All thoughts, comments, recommendations welcome...

 

They did check basic stuff like thermostat right? $1300 seems a bit high... Do they want to replace the headgaskets? What is the reason they are giving you for wanting to inspect the heads?

 

possibilty that they are warped and the gaskets could be blown

 

Tough call. The 98 EJ25 motor is DOHC right? (unless that was only available for the impreza only)

 

Personally if there was no water in my oil and there was no steam coming out of the head gasket to block area I wouldn't bother tearing it apart.

 

Yes it is...