Subaru advice(head gasket)

"Captain of the Enterprise" (justanotherdayinparadise)
07/07/2015 at 12:41 • Filed to: Subaru

I’m looking into buying a subaru but am worried about the head gasket issues. The one in particular is a 2000 with the 2.5 DOHC NA engine. It had the timing belt done at 80,000 so and currently has 135,000 so I should have a couple of years left on that timing belt but my other main concern is the head gasket issues. Do they all get them, is it really hard to do yourself. How expensive to get done etc. I work part time while in college so I don’t have a huge budget for repairs is it bad enough to take it out of the running?

DISCUSSION (16)

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Captain of the Enterprise
07/07/2015 at 12:47

>50% chance you will need headgaskets, you should probably get a honda or find a subaru with the 2.2L motor.

Captain of the Enterprise > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
07/07/2015 at 12:49

So the 2.2 is exempt from head gasket issues?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Captain of the Enterprise
07/07/2015 at 12:51

Yes, the 2.2 is like the million mile mercedes, while the 2.5 is like umm... pretty good for 100k then pretty much needs head gaskets unless you are an increadibly luck person. I think it was a gasket design issue, not the motor being fundimentally bad.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Captain of the Enterprise
07/07/2015 at 12:56

The 2.5 NA, from everything I’ve heard, is the patron saint of boxer head gasket repair. It is possible to do with the motor in place if you’re sneaky, but can be a pain. If the heads don’t get warped when they go and all surfaces are straight and clean, and if you go back with fresh bolts and the correct improved type of gasket, you might be trouble free from then on.

brianbrannon > Captain of the Enterprise
07/07/2015 at 13:15

The head gasket leak on those engines is an external coolant leak so not a deal breaker

Captain of the Enterprise > brianbrannon
07/07/2015 at 13:16

Can you explain what that means? specifically what an external leak is and why that makes it ok?

brianbrannon > Captain of the Enterprise
07/07/2015 at 13:33

the coolant leaks on the ground instead of in the cylinders.

RallyWrench > Captain of the Enterprise
07/07/2015 at 13:39

I’m doing the heads on my 175k mile 2001 Outback right now because of catastrophic oil leaks. I’m doing the timing belt, water pump, clutch and some other “while I’m in there” things simultaneously, so I’ll be into it about $700-1000 in parts, and the machine work was $240 for a bro-deal. Not too hard to do yourself if you’re mechanically apt, but it’s a hell of a lot easier with the engine out of the car, as I’m doing. If paying a shop, expect $1500-2k or so if just doing the heads.

Kinja'd!!!

commander warsstar is smitten with subaru legacy outbacks (and redheads) > Captain of the Enterprise
07/07/2015 at 13:43

This uses the SOHC 2.5, which while it still had the potential for head gasket problems, they were rarer. I can’t speak to repair costs, as on both of mine I just pulled the thermostat and kept on going when they went. Granted, mine were the DOHC 2.5 which had internal leaks.

Also, since it’s the SOHC, there’s a bit more room in the engine bay, so if you’re mechanically inclined, you could do the head gaskets yourself without having to pull the engine.

Depending on the price, I’d go ahead and roll the dice.

MonkeePuzzle > Captain of the Enterprise
07/07/2015 at 15:02

depends, how competent are you mechanically? I did the head gaskets on mine (2001 and 1995) imprezas using basically instructions from internet/youtube and basic tools at home. it takes a few hours, and you will have to buy the headgasket (and likely a new tensioner for your timing belt as those are usually single use)

Autofixation > Captain of the Enterprise
07/07/2015 at 15:03

The dealership I used yo work for would do them for $1800. That included timing belt, tensioner, head gaskets, and associated gaskets. Some Subaru experienced shops will do it for under $1500-$1300 or lower with aftermarket parts. I would recommend taking it to a shop familiar with Subarus.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Captain of the Enterprise
07/07/2015 at 15:16

For the record, my beloved departed 2002 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS had the 2.5L engine and it had 180,000kms when I had to sell it and was still running the original head gasket as far as I knew.

Captain of the Enterprise > MonkeePuzzle
07/07/2015 at 15:31

I'm not a pro but I'm pretty good and very good at learning as I go

MonkeePuzzle > Captain of the Enterprise
07/07/2015 at 15:37

well, if it isnt currently a problem, and the timing belt was recently replaced. I would say go for it. but plan to do it at some time in the near future. plan a weekend, con some friends to help.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Captain of the Enterprise
07/07/2015 at 19:25

This is how it works for Subaru: Non turbo = headgaskets

pip bip - choose Corrour > Captain of the Enterprise
07/07/2015 at 22:01

leaking head gaskets are a feature not a fault.