2000 Forester

[shadowsmom via CarKB.com]

I was told today that the head gasket was seeping a little. What does that
mean? Is this a major repair bill in the works?

 

[Tom Bavis]

I was told today that the head gasket was seeping a little. What does that
mean? Is this a major repair bill in the works?

Quite possibly. If you have maintained it per Subaru's requirements,
which includes adding the Subaru conditioner ("stop leak") at coolant
changes, the head gasket is covered up to 100,000 miles.

 

[Todd H.]

I was told today that the head gasket was seeping a little. What does that
mean? Is this a major repair bill in the works?

Welcome to the club. Chock full of tips on making Subaru address
the problem.

http://scott.mcgerik.com/2004/02/18/subaru-outback-head-gasket-leak/

 

[shadowsmom via CarKB.com]

I am past 100k miles. How long do you think I can go without a major expense?
Is there anything I can do to prolong having it fixed?

 

[shadowsmom via CarKB.com]

Holy crap. I can't believe all the stuff on this. The funny part is I have
been leaking coolant for a long time but I never knew it had anything to do
with the head gasket. My late husband always took care of the cars. I even
mentioned it to the local tire shop when they changed my oil and he never
mentioned head gasket possibility. I am just sick.

 

[Todd H.]

Holy crap. I can't believe all the stuff on this. The funny part is I have
been leaking coolant for a long time but I never knew it had anything to do
with the head gasket. My late husband always took care of the cars. I even
mentioned it to the local tire shop when they changed my oil and he never
mentioned head gasket possibility. I am just sick.

Deosn't it piss ya off?

 

[Todd H.]

I am past 100k miles. How long do you think I can go without a major expense?
Is there anything I can do to prolong having it fixed?

Got my heads rebuilt by a local independent mechanic for $1800, and
the head gasket used was an aftermarket one. Supposedly they don't
have the same problems as the OEM subies? We'll see.

That's what, about 3 car payments on a new Outback?


If it's just an external weep issue, keep feeding it coolant. If
there's an internal breach (there's a dye test they can do for this)
then if you don't fix it you'll kill your rings and then you'll
really have big expense.

How far past 100k? Open a case with Subaru, take it to a Subaru
dealer to have them Dx and they may help with the cost, or fix it for
free as it's quite a known issue.

Best Regards,