Leaking head gasket
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Leaking head gasket
I recently had the 60,000-mile service work done on my 2000 Brighton wagon, and when it was done one of the head gaskets began to leak. I had them both replaced at a cost of more than $1000. My Subaru has only 70,000 miles on it and has been well-maintained. My mechanic said this appears to be a growing problem with the 2000 and newer Legacys and that other engine problems are appearing in these newer models as well. Has anyone else had the head gasket problem? Does anyone know if Subaru is addressing this problem?
Last edited by Linda J; Nov 7, 2003 at 12:46 PM.
Warm Fuzzy Admin
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,799
From: Sacramento, CA
Car Info: 97 LOB, 05 FXT, 03 Tundra
Many people have had the problem. On the DOHC's (96-99) it's a question of when, not if. Mine held on for 120k before going in spectacular fashion 600 miles from home 
Subaru has gone through 3-4 gasket revisions on the earlier cars, finally arriving at a metal sandwich in 2002 sometime that seems to fix the problem. The DOHC's tend to blow internally (oil leaks into coolant, or vice versa) while the SOHC's like your tend to blow externally, which is a more noticeable and potentially damaging situation, but I'm not sure where Subaru is in regards to this.
I didn't get any official help from Subaru when mine went. The local service manager did pay the machine shop to put some hot sauce on my heads while he was machining them, though.
As it stands, it's the only real weak point on the 2.5's, drivetrain or otherwise, and, while frustrating, the cars are pretty solid otherwise.
Subaru has gone through 3-4 gasket revisions on the earlier cars, finally arriving at a metal sandwich in 2002 sometime that seems to fix the problem. The DOHC's tend to blow internally (oil leaks into coolant, or vice versa) while the SOHC's like your tend to blow externally, which is a more noticeable and potentially damaging situation, but I'm not sure where Subaru is in regards to this.
I didn't get any official help from Subaru when mine went. The local service manager did pay the machine shop to put some hot sauce on my heads while he was machining them, though.
As it stands, it's the only real weak point on the 2.5's, drivetrain or otherwise, and, while frustrating, the cars are pretty solid otherwise.
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Leaking Head Gasket
Linda:
Not to scare you, here's the things that went on my '01 OBW LTD:
- Loud clattering at startup, initially when very cold (25-30K miles) finally started even on warm/hot days. I initially thought it was piston slap, but at 54K miles took it in with an oil burning smell and the clatter. They could find no leaks, but replaced the timing belt tensioner on warranty. I bought a new timing belt for $89 just to be safe.
- 2 weeks later at ~58K miles, I started smelling anti-freeze, and within 2-3 days noticed the level going down. Dealer replaced both head gaskets (oil on the right, coolant on the left, thank you), along with a new thermostat and water pump because it is good practice.
The car has always run great, and I love it, but this much work this young makes me worry a bit.
Speed Safely!
David
Not to scare you, here's the things that went on my '01 OBW LTD:
- Loud clattering at startup, initially when very cold (25-30K miles) finally started even on warm/hot days. I initially thought it was piston slap, but at 54K miles took it in with an oil burning smell and the clatter. They could find no leaks, but replaced the timing belt tensioner on warranty. I bought a new timing belt for $89 just to be safe.
- 2 weeks later at ~58K miles, I started smelling anti-freeze, and within 2-3 days noticed the level going down. Dealer replaced both head gaskets (oil on the right, coolant on the left, thank you), along with a new thermostat and water pump because it is good practice.
The car has always run great, and I love it, but this much work this young makes me worry a bit.
Speed Safely!
David
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My '97 Outback wagon started exhibiting overheating symptons about 2 months ago. Randomly, at first, and then more and more frequently. One day I could drive 300 miles with no event, the next day it might overheat twice in 30 miles. It went on like this for weeks. I had it backflushed twice, changed the thermostat myself, etc. No coolant in the oil, nor vice versa.
Finally, it started to overheat everyday on my way to work, (about a 13 mile event). I had it checked out and was told that I had a cracked block.
I suspect that the original problem was something more benign, perhaps a gasket, but after watching it overheat often, at some point the heat and fatigue cracked it. (116,000 miles)
When I told the dealership, they said it was quite common in that engine and they usually checked for it on trade-ins. The salesman speculated that the 2.5 engine was a bored out 2.2 engine leaving a thinner cylinder wall, thus subject to cracking.
Does anyone else have this experience?
Finally, it started to overheat everyday on my way to work, (about a 13 mile event). I had it checked out and was told that I had a cracked block.
I suspect that the original problem was something more benign, perhaps a gasket, but after watching it overheat often, at some point the heat and fatigue cracked it. (116,000 miles)
When I told the dealership, they said it was quite common in that engine and they usually checked for it on trade-ins. The salesman speculated that the 2.5 engine was a bored out 2.2 engine leaving a thinner cylinder wall, thus subject to cracking.
Does anyone else have this experience?
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Infamous EJ25 Head Gasket
Do a google search on EJ25 and Headgasket.
My 97 Legacy Outback HG went at 72K. I began chasing the symptoms at 35K. I am currently @ 102K with an updated EJ25 short block and 4 layer gaskets. We will see if problem is solved.
This page save me count hours of screaming at SOA to prove a problem exists.
Babu
My 97 Legacy Outback HG went at 72K. I began chasing the symptoms at 35K. I am currently @ 102K with an updated EJ25 short block and 4 layer gaskets. We will see if problem is solved.
This page save me count hours of screaming at SOA to prove a problem exists.
Babu
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