How reliable is replacement head gasket?

[worzacct]

I have a 2000 Outback with the 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine. The head
gasket was replaced under warranty at around 70,000 miles. My son has
expressed interest in purchasing this 2000 Outback which now has
90,000 miles.

My question concerns the reliability of the replacement head gasket.
I know that the 2.5 liter Subaru engine had a real problem with head
gaskets around the 2000 model year.. Does anyone have any experience
with the reliability of the replacement head gasket? Is it likely
that the replacement head gasket cured the problem, or is there an
inherent problem with the 2.5 engine such that it will need a new
head gasket again in another 50,000 miles?

Thanks in advance for anyone who might have information on this issue.

By the way, I have owned 4 Subaru's and they have been great cars and
I'm considering getting a 2008 WRX.

 

[Todd H.]

I have a 2000 Outback with the 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine. The head
gasket was replaced under warranty at around 70,000 miles. My son has
expressed interest in purchasing this 2000 Outback which now has
90,000 miles.

My question concerns the reliability of the replacement head gasket.
I know that the 2.5 liter Subaru engine had a real problem with head
gaskets around the 2000 model year.. Does anyone have any experience
with the reliability of the replacement head gasket? Is it likely
that the replacement head gasket cured the problem, or is there an
inherent problem with the 2.5 engine such that it will need a new
head gasket again in another 50,000 miles?

Based on everything I have read, the Subaru head gasket design on
these is crap, and a replaced OEM gasket is quite likely to have the
same problems.

The next time it's due, give it an aftermarket gasket, and yer likely
to be in good shape from there on out.

Just be happy your first one was replaced on their dime. I wasn't
quite so lucky as mine tested bad at 107k. But at least I have an
aftermarket one now, which supposedly is a good thing. Time will tell
I suppose.

google subaru head gasket and there's a blog chock full of more info
than you want.


Best regards,

 

[Clifford Heath]

Thanks in advance for anyone who might have information on this issue.

We have a similar car of a slightly earlier vintage, which went 80,000mi before the
gasket blew. I did a lot of research on it at the time, and the consensus seemed to be:

* The genuine replacement gasket is much better
* The problem is really with the open head design
* It's quite difficult to bleed all the air out of the engine
* The gaskets fail due to local overheating where the air bubble sits
* You'll hear it gurgling on switch-off if it isn't bled right.

The upshot is:
* if you have the original gasket, and your engine is *always* bled correctly,
the gasket won't fail prematurely,
* if you have a replacement gasket, you have better chances of surviving poor bleeding,
* you should ensure that your mechanic knows the correct procedure, knows that you know
it too, and will blame them *and make them fix it* if the gasket blows after they've
serviced it.
* There's some reason to consider tapping a small tube into the cross-over pipe that
carries coolant from one side of the engine to the other, and running that tube to
the top of the radiator, to make the engine self-bleeding from the highest point.

We haven't added this bleed tube, but the car has survived a further 25,000mi so far.

Clifford Heath.

 

[Tlather]

The dealer should have replaced the 1 piece head gasket(s) with an
updated 3 piece metal gasket that appears to be bullet proof, and you
should have no more head gasket issues. Typically it is the left side
gasket that leaks coolant externally, and usually that is all you will
get replaced under warranty. Change coolant every 30K and you're good
to go. The original head gaskets were single layer metal with a
coating of carbon/polymer that would erode away, allowing either an
internal coolant leak into a cylinder, or more commonly an external
leak appearing at the rear lower part of the head. It is a drag that
something so simple as gasket material causes so many problems.

 

[Clifford Heath]

Typically it is the left side
gasket that leaks coolant externally, .... either an
internal coolant leak into a cylinder, or more commonly an external
leak appearing at the rear lower part of the head.

Are you sure you're not confusing the DOHC gasket problem with the SOHC
one? IIRC, the DOHC fails by blowing exhaust gases into the coolant, which
comes out the overflow pipe. The SOHC is the one that tends to have the
external leak.

 

[alf]

Based on everything I have read, the Subaru head gasket design on
these is crap, and a replaced OEM gasket is quite likely to have the
same problems.

do you remember what is name of brand/supplier?

 

[Todd H.]

do you remember what is name of brand/supplier?

Never told, but it was aftermarket upon my request. Sorry.

 

[Tlather]

You're right, the DOHC gasket failure tends to allow combustion into
the cooling system where it causes a big air bubble and blows coolant
out the reservoir and engine overheats, etc. The SOHC gasket does
usually leak externally, but I have seen some that were leaking
internally and causing those same symptoms. Worza's initial question
is dealing with the SOHC engine. In either case, the original gaskets
were single layer metal with coating; replacement gaskets were 3 layer
metal.

 

[worzacct]

My 2000 Outback has the SOHC engine and the head gasket was replaced
at 69,800 miles. I am just seeking any experience or opinions on
whether the replacement head gasket engine is a cure the problem with
the SOHC 2.5L 4-cylinder engine or is just a band-aid and the car will
likely need another head gasket replaced after 60 to 80K miles.

 

[Clifford Heath]

Worza's initial question is dealing with the SOHC engine.

Ok, thanks - it was me who wrongly assumed that he had a DOHC engine like
ours. Hopefully my comments will help some DOHC owner .

Clifford Heath.