I have a 2003 wrx wagon with 90,000 miles on it. I have a coolant leak but couldn't find the source until today. As I was changing the oil, I could see where the leak was coming from. It is coming from just above the oil pan. I also noticed some airbubbles/foam in the oil after draining. I think head gasket. What is the sticker shock for head gaset replacement? Thanks in advance

We charge around 1700 bucks for both including the timing belt(90K+)but I have seen some dealers charger over 2000.

Ouch!! What are the tell tale signs that it is the head gasket? Could I use some quick fix crap for the cooling system like bars perhaps? The car still runs great, no loss of power etc... I am not losing a lot of coolant either. What happens is that it drips down onto the exhaust and a little puff of smoke is seen and therfore the smell. The car has never overheated...

The main one is weaping oil or coolant from the heads, but other signs that can also be traced to other components are overheating, loss of coolant, smell of coolant.

Keep in mind Headgaskets can leak oil, can leak coolant both internally and externally and be blown and allow air from the combustion chamber into the coolant system causing air pockets.

I would also go to the dealer and get a bottle of coolant conditioner and see if that helps. We use that on some of the coolant conditioner WP99 recalls. That might help and slow it down.