head gasket

[synthius2002]

I've seen posts here before but I forget, how bad is the head gasket
replacement work?
This was a very nice 97 subaru legacy outback wagon that overheated on
the highway.
The way the coolant spurts out whenever it cranks looks like a head
gasket problem.

Nils

 

[Frank]

I've seen posts here before but I forget, how bad is the head gasket
replacement work?
This was a very nice 97 subaru legacy outback wagon that overheated on
the highway.
The way the coolant spurts out whenever it cranks looks like a head
gasket problem.

Nils

My repair at dealer was $1,375 with $250 for parts and the rest labor.
Might give you some idea of work involved and difficulty.

 

[clare]

My repair at dealer was $1,375 with $250 for parts and the rest labor.
Might give you some idea of work involved and difficulty.

Generally a WHOLE LOT easier with the engine out of the car - and
easier to pull it than to fight with it.

 

[synthius2002]

 Generally a WHOLE LOT easier with the engine out of the car - and
easier to pull it than to fight with it.

Thanks, and what was that stuff about towing? Pull a fuse due to the 4
wheel drive?

 

[synthius2002]

Thanks, and what was that stuff about towing? Pull a fuse due to the 4

wheel drive?

The Turley tow company is all flatbeds all the time, so it wasn't an
issue. Dispatch was an issue, since I was in western pa headed north
on I-76, but didn't know it's called "west 76", and the turnpike
office dispatched a truck from New Jersey, who had a hard time finding
me.

That subaru was a good car for a long time, and I really hope to have
the engine rebuilt and on the road again. I may be hopelessly mired in
the 20th century when this kind of work was considered normal and
good, and affordable.

Nils

 

[Frank]

The Turley tow company is all flatbeds all the time, so it wasn't an
issue. Dispatch was an issue, since I was in western pa headed north
on I-76, but didn't know it's called "west 76", and the turnpike
office dispatched a truck from New Jersey, who had a hard time finding
me.

That subaru was a good car for a long time, and I really hope to have
the engine rebuilt and on the road again. I may be hopelessly mired in
the 20th century when this kind of work was considered normal and
good, and affordable.

Nils

Don't know what the book value is but when cost of repair approaches
book value, I trade in. I had a well maintained Mazda stolen and all I
could get was book value even though tires were brand new.

 

[synthius2002]

Hey guys, you've been a big help. The KBB value is ~$3,600, and the
repair might be $1400, so I'll go for it. Frankly, the paperwork crap
for getting a new car pisses me off, so add several hundred. Now, the
sweetheart deal I thought I had is stalled so, it looks like I'm
shopping for an engine rebuild.

What are the established shop-hours for engine rebuilds? I need the
head gasket, and maybe some edge-machining. What are the other options
I ought to go for; rings, water pump, etc?

Nils K. Hammer

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

Hey guys, you've been a big help. The KBB value is ~$3,600, and the
repair might be $1400, so I'll go for it. Frankly, the paperwork crap
for getting a new car pisses me off, so add several hundred. Now, the
sweetheart deal I thought I had is stalled so, it looks like I'm
shopping for an engine rebuild.

What are the established shop-hours for engine rebuilds? I need the
head gasket, and maybe some edge-machining. What are the other options
I ought to go for; rings, water pump, etc?

Nils K. Hammer

If you post your city, someone reading here may know of a good shop.
I've seen that happen before.

 

[synthius2002]

If you post your city, someone reading here may know of a good shop.
I've seen that happen before.

Ha!,
Pittsburgh PA, car is in monroeville.
Want an engine rebuild
'97 Subary legacy, 2.5

Is it politically incorrect to mention that I'm not rich? I'm
considering using a technical school. Rumors are that they don't
charge, since the students need the experience.

Nils K. Hammer

 

[Nobody > (Revisited)]

Is it politically incorrect to mention that I'm not rich?

I'm
considering using a technical school.

That's an old tale, but it's still possible. Some schools still take
"walk-in" jobs like this, but most of them are doing "sponsored" work
and don't have time for "us".

I used "sponsored" for lack of better wording....

What I mean:

1) Local dealers give them work. (tax and PR credits for the dealer)
2) They are repairing "donated" cars for charities that do the "Give Us
Your Unwanted Vehicle" ads. (also PR)

Also, they may be restricted from doing work that would normally go to
commercial shops. It may be local laws/policies and/or insurance,
doesn't matter.

Best bet is to call them first, but don't be surprised if none of your
local schools will take this job.

Rumors are that they don't
charge, since the students need the experience.

If they can/will do your work, all you'll avoid (at most) is labor
costs. They WILL charge for parts and outside work (as in machine-shop
work that they can't do in-house).



--
"Shit this is it, all the pieces do fit.
We're like that crazy old man jumping
out of the alleyway with a baseball bat,
saying, "Remember me motherfucker?"
Jim “Dandy” Mangrum

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

Ha!,
Pittsburgh PA,  car is in monroeville.
Want an engine rebuild
'97 Subary legacy, 2.5

Is it politically incorrect to mention that I'm not rich? I'm
considering using a technical school. Rumors are that they don't
charge, since the students need the experience.

Nils K. Hammer

I saw a place called J-tec in Butler mentioned at www.nasioc.com - you
might ask over there and also at www.ultimatesubaru.org if no one here
has a suggestion.

good luck

 

[harv]

wrote in message

Hey guys, you've been a big help. The KBB value is ~$3,600, and the
repair might be $1400, so I'll go for it. Frankly, the paperwork crap
for getting a new car pisses me off, so add several hundred. Now, the
sweetheart deal I thought I had is stalled so, it looks like I'm
shopping for an engine rebuild.

What are the established shop-hours for engine rebuilds? I need the
head gasket, and maybe some edge-machining. What are the other options
I ought to go for; rings, water pump, etc?

Nils K. Hammer

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

wrote in message
Hey guys, you've been a big help. The KBB value is ~$3,600, and the
repair might be $1400, so I'll go for it. Frankly, the paperwork crap
for getting a new car pisses me off, so add several hundred. Now, the
sweetheart deal I thought I had is stalled so, it looks like I'm
shopping for an engine rebuild.

What are the established shop-hours for engine rebuilds? I need the
head gasket, and maybe some edge-machining. What are the other options
I ought to go for; rings, water pump, etc?

Nils K. Hammer

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I had to have the head gaskets replaced near the timing belt mileage (MY
2002 Forester 105000 mi) and the dealer said that the water pump rarely
fails, but that it would be good money to have the belt tensioners replaced
with the timing belt.

excellent point - replace everything that turns in there (except of
course cam/crank) and have the front seal replaced too. maybe oil pump
rebuilt.

I once had a new belt put on a Toyota and cheaped out. about 9K miles
later the idler bearing seized and burned thru the belt - while i was
out of town.

I'd probably do the water pump too. Especially if you don't know how
well the car's been maintained or if low silicate/phosphate/w'ever
antifreeze has been diligently used.

 

[Kevin Hall]

Had the head gaskets on our '99 Fartster done 3 times by Suby dealers under
warranty, including a complete shortblock replacement at about 85,000 km
after the leaking coolant ate the coating off the pistons and left it
rattling like a length of logging chain. Seems to me the dealer told me if
not under warranty it would have been around $1,200 to 1,400 Cdn. for the
gasket job.

Problem was not solved until I had the gaskets done yet again out of
warranty by my local, non Suby private garage. He used aftermarket
gaskets rather than Suby parts because according to him every set of Suby
gaskets he'd seen installed in the 2.5 engines had failed. That was about
4 or 5 years back now and still no leaks. His bill was somewhere around
$600.

If bullshit was saleable, lots of dealerships wouldn't need to sell cars.

KH