Cost of replacing '97 OBW head and oil pan gaskets

[Victor Roberts]

I have a '97 OBW (USA) with manual transmission. This is
the base Outback, not the one with the higher performance
engine. The car had about 110K miles at the time.

I asked my regular mechanic to look the car over to see what
it might need if I kept it instead of getting a new car
(Forester.) He said I should replace the head gasket and
the two oil pan gaskets. He gave me an estimate of ~ $500.

Since I have some Subaru coupons from a Subaru credit card,
I contacted the local dealer and he said the total would be
~ $300. (Before the coupons, which he does not know about
yet.)

Normally my regular mechanic is less expensive than the
dealer, so I'm a bit confused. Perhaps the cost at the
dealer is lower because they already have the parts or
because they do this repair all the time or perhaps the
dealer is low balling me and the price will be higher when I
go to pick up the car.

What should this cost?

 

[Michael Pardee]

I have a '97 OBW (USA) with manual transmission. This is
the base Outback, not the one with the higher performance
engine. The car had about 110K miles at the time.

I asked my regular mechanic to look the car over to see what
it might need if I kept it instead of getting a new car
(Forester.) He said I should replace the head gasket and
the two oil pan gaskets. He gave me an estimate of ~ $500.

Since I have some Subaru coupons from a Subaru credit card,
I contacted the local dealer and he said the total would be
~ $300. (Before the coupons, which he does not know about
yet.)

Normally my regular mechanic is less expensive than the
dealer, so I'm a bit confused. Perhaps the cost at the
dealer is lower because they already have the parts or
because they do this repair all the time or perhaps the
dealer is low balling me and the price will be higher when I
go to pick up the car.

What should this cost?

I am thinking the dealer is not understanding about replacing the head
gasket. I doubt anybody can do that for $300. Even the $500 is a very good
price.

Mike

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I am thinking the dealer is not understanding about replacing the head
gasket. I doubt anybody can do that for $300. Even the $500 is a very good
price.

Mike

Yeah, I think the OP would be having some driveability problems, or at
least coolant loss if a headgasket were bad. Perhaps they mean valve
cover gaskets?

I dunno

Carl

 

[Victor Roberts]

I am thinking the dealer is not understanding about replacing the head
gasket. I doubt anybody can do that for $300. Even the $500 is a very good
price.

Woops! I should have typed "oil pan gasket and two valve
cover gaskets". The head gasket is not part of this deal.
Sorry.

 

[Victor Roberts]

Yeah, I think the OP would be having some driveability problems, or at
least coolant loss if a headgasket were bad. Perhaps they mean valve
cover gaskets?

I dunno

Carl

Yes - Two VALVE COVER gaskets and the one OIL PAN gasket.

 

[Mickey]

Woops! I should have typed "oil pan gasket and two valve
cover gaskets". The head gasket is not part of this deal.
Sorry.

Won't comment on price for these 3 gaskets but at 110k miles
it is time for replacing timing belt, water pump, and
associated gaskets and seals. These engines are also know
for loosing head gaskets typ around the miles you have on
the car. If any of these other repairs are to be included
you will be looking at a price of $1500-$2000.

Head gasket replacement typ requires the engine to be pulled.

Mickey

 

[Victor Roberts]

Won't comment on price for these 3 gaskets but at 110k miles
it is time for replacing timing belt, water pump, and
associated gaskets and seals.

The timing belt and water pump were replaced once, either at
60K or 90K miles. I'll have to check my records, so they are
not yet ready for replacement.

These engines are also know
for loosing head gaskets typ around the miles you have on
the car. If any of these other repairs are to be included
you will be looking at a price of $1500-$2000.

Head gasket replacement typ requires the engine to be pulled.

I think I'll replace the head gasket when and if I see some
sign it needs replacement.

 

[Victor Roberts]

The timing belt and water pump were replaced once, either at
60K or 90K miles. I'll have to check my records, so they are
not yet ready for replacement.

Timing belt and water pump were replaced at 67K miles. So I
have at least another year (at the rate I use the car)
before I need to worry about the timing belt again. By then,
someone may finally have a car I like to replace the OBW.
Perhaps even Subaru