Headgasket issues? (1999-2002)

[Basshead]

got quoted $1400, then did the recall at the local dealer and now it should cost me nothing if this recall "fix" doesn't hold up...so far no more leaks and a stable temp gauge...

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[dugrant153]

keep us posted, Basshead.
BTW, any engine mods?

[SubaruTech707]

The 'conditioner' actually has shown to work very well- I've seen 3 Legacy's with moderate leaks cured completely with it. The head gaskets aren't that terrible to replace- if anyone in the bay area needs it done, p.m. me- I'm cheaper!

[dugrant153]

Originally posted by SubaruTech707
The 'conditioner' actually has shown to work very well- I've seen 3 Legacy's with moderate leaks cured completely with it. The head gaskets aren't that terrible to replace- if anyone in the bay area needs it done, p.m. me- I'm cheaper!

Oh! really?! that's great
guess I'll have to drop by Subaru for that conditioner stuff next time. Well, if it's working, then that's fine by me. I just hope it'll work on the car for a good 200,000km.

Unfortunately, I'm in Canada... But I'll remember ya, just in case.

[Basshead]

all my mods are header back for the engine..not intake/internals...

[dugrant153]

Hmm.... then I'm guessing the problem doesn't have much to do with mods. Just a poor design.

Here's my question: I've been reading these boards and there seems to have been mixed results for the coolant conditioner. DOES the coolant conditioner work well enough such that headgasket problems are gone? (as long as the conditioner is in there?)

[AcquaCow]

HG appears to have something slowly seeping through it, coolant levels are fine. I've cleaned off the motor so that I can observe it for the next few miles.

[imprezzakc]

2000 Impreza RS no leakage yet . 82000 miles conditioner added at about 80000 miles. BTW I think it only costs about 3 bucks at the parts counter for future reference .

[Brighton]

Anybody have any idea of Subary Canada is offering a similar warranty as well? We're looking at a very attractively priced 2002 2.5TS but on a final independant mechanical check there was 'very light' coolant leakage to be found on the drivers side. If its still covered under a special case warranty and the additive works it won't bother me but otherwise I'll be looking elsewhere. The car is absolutely perfect otherwise and VERY well priced.

[turner]

Originally posted by Brighton
Anybody have any idea of Subary Canada is offering a similar warranty as well? We're looking at a very attractively priced 2002 2.5TS but on a final independant mechanical check there was 'very light' coolant leakage to be found on the drivers side. If its still covered under a special case warranty and the additive works it won't bother me but otherwise I'll be looking elsewhere. The car is absolutely perfect otherwise and VERY well priced.

Subaru emailed many of us that we would receive a letter in the mail about this situation. Ask the current owner if he has received any type of notice.

I'm guessing Subaru has a Canadian website. Check the technical info section. You might be able to find out something without having to pay for the document download.

If this car has a 5MT, try to drive it cold, first thing in the morning to see if it has clutch shudder. Also see if you can get into reverse without double-clutching it a bunch of times. Paint and windshields on these cars have gotten a lot of complaints. Check both for chipping, ... good luck.

[Brighton]

I've been all over subaru.ca and there isn't a lick of useful information to be found there. We asked the dealer specifically and got a blank stare. They've taken the car back and are 'fixing' the head gasket now but the salesperson has to check how. I'd bet cash on it just being the stop leak. Leaves us in a sticky situation. The car is VERY attractively priced but I just don't like the idea of buying a car with a known headgasket issue. Results seem to be pretty positive with the stop leak here though, and there IS a revised gasket, but ugh... I'd just hate to walk away at this point.

[AcquaCow]

Originally Posted by AcquaCow

HG appears to have something slowly seeping through it, coolant levels are fine. I've cleaned off the motor so that I can observe it for the next few miles.

Just coming back to this 9 months later.

Headgaskets are definately seeping now. I'm scheduled to have the additive put in at a dealer on Monday. I'm going to make sure that I get full recipts and get whatever paperwork exists for that extended 100k mi headgasket warranty. I put the additive in myself at 50k but I'm at 68k now and it's seeping more now than it was at 50k. My guess is that they'll put the additive in, but it'll start seeping once more about 5-10k down the road and then I'll have it repaired.

What exactly do I need to sign/fill out at the dealership to make sure that I get covered under the headgasket recall?

Thanks,

-- Dave

[00Maddog]

Originally Posted by AcquaCow

Just coming back to this 9 months later.

Headgaskets are definately seeping now. I'm scheduled to have the additive put in at a dealer on Monday. I'm going to make sure that I get full recipts and get whatever paperwork exists for that extended 100k mi headgasket warranty. I put the additive in myself at 50k but I'm at 68k now and it's seeping more now than it was at 50k. My guess is that they'll put the additive in, but it'll start seeping once more about 5-10k down the road and then I'll have it repaired.

What exactly do I need to sign/fill out at the dealership to make sure that I get covered under the headgasket recall?

Thanks,

-- Dave

Tell the dealer you already added subaru cooling system conditioner, so they don't add another bottle. If one won't work you should get new gasket(s). Two bottles will start to plug the heater core. The warranty extension is automatically added to your vin info when the recall is completed. The dealer can't get paid the .2 hrs. from soa to pour the juice in unless this is completed, so it's pretty hard to get screwed.

[AcquaCow]

Well, I passed 60k and am at 68k now, so I need the coolant changed anyways. I was just going to pay for them to add the coolant and then let them add the conditioner.

And if they try to give me crap for having it there past the 60k mark, I'll show them the recipt of me purchasing the addative from them (same dealer) at 50k.

-- Dave

[Jejunum]

Originally Posted by North Ursalia

You're on your own after 60k miles normally... I'd think an extra 40k is rather generous .


Brian

question about this statement ( i realize the post is very old). i thought the warranty would normally only cover up to 36k miles?

also im loosing like an inch of coolant (from the resevoir) every 2 months. dealer doesnt think its anything (dont believe) thoughts? (its not going anywhere that i can see (oil/exhaust/dripping).

[00Maddog]

I changed a head gasket on a 99 forester today under warranty extension that had 99,303 miles and didn't get the conditioner until 90k miles about 6 months ago. so it doesn't matter when you get it, as long as it's under 100k and in the recall batch.

[AcquaCow]

Local dealer flushed my coolant and put new addative in for me today. $54 total for the flush. I've been checked off for the recall, so we'll see if my seeping stops again and for how long. Hopefully it'll stay off long enough till I do my wrx swap.

-- Dave

[jsaunders]

74000 miles Had conditioner installed a while ago and now loosing 2 inchs from over flow every week. going in tuesday.
When replacing HG do they replace oil and timing belt at same time? I'm going to ask- coolant contamination in oil- If they dont replace the timing belt it will be real cheap to have it done- parts only

[inurb]

I have an 01 rs with the headgasket issue. It's got 50K on it, does this mean subaru will cover it on their dime? I had the additive put in the coolant at 35K. They actually just did it on their own when I brought the car in for inspection a while back. I just want to make sure that they will cover the labor and parts.

[Basshead]

they will only over external HG leaks per their recall guidelines. Which we all know never happen cause the internal ones show up first...so lame...

[inurb]

Originally Posted by Basshead

they will only over external HG leaks per their recall guidelines. Which we all know never happen cause the internal ones show up first...so lame...

Wow so are you telling me that I'm basically going to have to pay for the labor and parts? holy S! That's expensive jacking the engine up and getting in there to replace the headgasket....oh crap. I hope my thrid party extended warranty covers it.

[AcquaCow]

Are you leaking coolant or oil?

-- Dave

[Chromer]

Originally Posted by inurb

I hope my thrid party extended warranty covers it.

Mine did, at 99,000 miles, no less. No mucking around with additives first, just got them fixed straight-up.

[inurb]

Turns out it wasn't the headgasket but the air/fuel sensor that was giving the bucking and rough idle, also the mass air sensor went. Since nothing in emsissions is covered under ANY warranty I am out 700 bucks. sucks to be me.