2.5L Head Gasket problem?

[Dave Botsch]

A local mechanic said that there is a known problem with the head gaskets
on the 2.5 Liter engines in a Subaru (in fact, he just had someone in to
repair the head gasket on their '05 Impreza).

Have any of you heard of this (and whether or not Subaru is doing anything
about it before it goes)?

thanks!

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

A local mechanic said that there is a known problem with the head gaskets
on the 2.5 Liter engines in a Subaru (in fact, he just had someone in to
repair the head gasket on their '05 Impreza).

Have any of you heard of this (and whether or not Subaru is doing anything
about it before it goes)?

thanks!

fairly well known EXCEPT the '05 you mention is likely a fluke. Best
numbers I saw indicated around 2-3% of mid 90's to '02 or so exhibit
internal(bad - mostly mid- later 90s) or moderate external 'weeping' of
coolant. Someone here can post exact years affected. If repairs were
done with 'new' style gaskets, indications are the engine will be reliable.


Carl

 

[John Rethorst]

A local mechanic said that there is a known problem with the head gaskets
on the 2.5 Liter engines in a Subaru (in fact, he just had someone in to
repair the head gasket on their '05 Impreza).

Have any of you heard of this (and whether or not Subaru is doing anything
about it before it goes)?

Have you googled this group's archives? There's been a great deal of discussion
about this.

 

[Edward Hayes]

Phase 1 2.5L 1998-1999 had internal HG problems which is very bad
although a small percentage had a problem. Phase 2 2.5L engines
2000-2003? had external weeping problems which is more of a nuisance
unless you never checked your coolant level. Subaru notified Phase 2
owners (Vin #) to come in to have a "cooling system conditioner"
installed free of charge. If you had Subaru install the conditioner
then they warranted the HG for 8 years or 100,000 miles. I have a
phase 2 Forester 2000 and have an uneventful 107,000 miles with the
conditioner installed. I believe there is not issues with 2003-2006
engines although Subaru recommends the conditioner be installed with
each coolant change. Ed

 

[bj]

Do a google search on subaru head gasket failure.

Its a dirty little secret...one german study claimed 16% failure in
97-99 years

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Do a google search on subaru head gasket failure.

Its a dirty little secret...one german study claimed 16% failure in
97-99 years

Wow! - perhaps the EDM soobs have different emissions or other gear that
stresses them a lot more?

I know the Phase 2 engines are more likely to weep in colder climates.

Hard to imagine if 1 outta eight owners had internal HG failure in this
country for mulitiple years, there wouldn't have been a class action
suit already.

weird

Carl

 

[bj]

here's an interesting read...get the air out...i don't change my
antifreeze...i take some out from the overflow and add a bit at a
time...

 

[j]

A local mechanic said that there is a known problem with the head gaskets
on the 2.5 Liter engines in a Subaru (in fact, he just had someone in to
repair the head gasket on their '05 Impreza).

Have any of you heard of this (and whether or not Subaru is doing anything
about it before it goes)?

thanks!

--
********************************
David William Botsch
(e-mail address removed)
********************************

I was at the dealership today, and was talking to the service writer
about servicing my Baja's cooling system among other things. I was
told that they basically do a low pressure swap, which leaves some old
coolant mix behind, because the higher pressure flushes can contribute
to head gasket failure. I had never heard that before, and I dunno...I
guess it seems possible.

During the discussion I was advised to stay away from the quickie lube
places. To which I was, of course, like DER! My dealer's rates are
competitive, if not better. But, you know, if service is done at the
dealer they can't give you any BS about who is performing the service
when an issue arises.

Anywho, I thought that was interesting.

By the way, you should've seen the looks I was getting from the Super
Duty crowd when I left Home Depot packing 30 rolls of 2'x5' sod.
They're just jealous.