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08-07-2012, 06:46 AM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 43038
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Franklin, Tennessee U.S.
Vehicle:2002 Forester S Black |
Leaky Head Gasket: Something to Live With?
I've got a 2002 Forester S and I believe has a phase II SOHC engine. The head gaskets are leaking at 152000 but this is simply a utility vehicle that I will only use occasionally.
If the head gasket is leaking externally, is it a simply a matter of keeping the fluids topped off to keep the vehicle running?
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08-07-2012, 07:18 AM | #2 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 302401
Join Date: Nov 2011
Chapter/Region:
HIIC
Location: i-club.com/Hawaii
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Quote:
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08-07-2012, 08:01 AM | #3 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 208052
Join Date: Apr 2009
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Southern Indiana
Vehicle:2004 SGM FXT-6speed *SOLD* 02 PSM WRX |
As long as it is in fact only an external leak, should keep an eye on your oil and antifreeze colors to make sure they are not mixing.
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08-07-2012, 11:00 AM | #4 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 43038
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Franklin, Tennessee U.S.
Vehicle:2002 Forester S Black |
Thank you folks. I am getting the timing belt replace today. I couldn't find any history of this getting done by the previous owner. Timing belt and rear wheel bearing is going to be $1300 at local dealer. That's not too bad IMO.
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08-07-2012, 12:31 PM | #5 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 124254
Join Date: Aug 2006
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Rhode Island
Vehicle:2006 06 SGM Slowbaru "The Scoobinator" |
That sounds pretty steep to me.
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08-07-2012, 02:59 PM | #6 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 253304
Join Date: Jul 2010
Chapter/Region:
AKIC
Location: Eagle River, AK
Vehicle:2001 Impreza 2.5RS Plus MOAR |
Agreed ^^
Unless it's both rear wheel bearings, but even then that's still kind of expensive. Honestly if you are going to keep the car you should do the timing belt with the headgaskets - due to the overlapping labor you would only end up paying for the belt if you repaired the headgaskets and replaced the timing belt at the same time. But everyone is right - you can go quite awhile with a leaking headgasket as long as you don't experience overheating problems and make sure your fluids are clean/topped off. |
08-07-2012, 03:19 PM | #7 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 832
Join Date: Jan 2000
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: Teh Ghetto Garage, CO
Vehicle:99 2.5RS, '85 911 '73 914 and 2012 BRZ |
Drive that car for a while with a blown head gasket and it will only get worse. Eventually it will blow fully and the car will overheat any time you drive it. As mentioned above, do the head gasket at the same time as the timing belt. It would be silly to go that far in and leave the leaking gasket. It's just a timebomb.
As for the price, wheel bearings are freaking expensive to get done and it's one of the few things I only trust the dealer or a Subaru specialist to do. Anyone who tells you they can do wheel bearings on a Subaru without the special tool are setting you up to be back in there a year later replacing the wheel bearing they messed up on installation. |
08-07-2012, 03:33 PM | #8 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 300551
Join Date: Nov 2011
Chapter/Region:
SCIC
Location: mariposa ca.
Vehicle:2002 FOZ STI 2.34 Fullers Garage |
Subaru makes a coolant additive that is for external water leaks and it works. I have used it on many customers cars with no problems. I would use that before you hurt something.
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08-07-2012, 03:49 PM | #9 |
Scooby Specialist
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South East
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^^^^^^^Yeah...chevys got some oem stop leak crap as well.they actually had a recall a few years back that pertained to the coolant smellling like a dead rat. You had to remove the factory coolant/stop leak..and replace it with new coolant and these little "pellets" (stop leak additive) because of the overwhelming stench.
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08-07-2012, 07:02 PM | #10 | |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 832
Join Date: Jan 2000
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: Teh Ghetto Garage, CO
Vehicle:99 2.5RS, '85 911 '73 914 and 2012 BRZ |
Quote:
There were a lot of clogged up radiators and cars that overheated from that stuff and needed a lot more work than just a head gasket job. That stuff is junk. |
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08-07-2012, 08:16 PM | #11 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 124254
Join Date: Aug 2006
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Rhode Island
Vehicle:2006 06 SGM Slowbaru "The Scoobinator" |
Plus that stuff won't do **** for an external oil leak at the gasket.
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08-07-2012, 09:16 PM | #12 |
Scooby Guru
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Tri-State
Location: Fl33tw00d, PA
Vehicle:2003 Baja 5MT Yellow w/ 220,000 miles |
Actually the Subaru additive does work WHEN USED PROPERLY. If you mix it with the wrong coolant, yes it will gunk up and cause problems. I myself have WITNESSED the additive work on a external coolant leak from a head gasket.
They WILL NOT correct an INTERNALLY LEAKING head gasket. This is the misconception that many have. These are two separate problems cause by two separate issues. Subaru has taken responsibility for both issues. But bear in mind, how many car companies are going to cover a head gasket at 100,000 miles, your out of your mind. My 2003 Baja's HG didnt go out until over 180,000 miles and I have had the coolant additive in my engine since the day they released it to thepublic. I have NEVER had an external leak. |
08-07-2012, 10:44 PM | #13 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 300551
Join Date: Nov 2011
Chapter/Region:
SCIC
Location: mariposa ca.
Vehicle:2002 FOZ STI 2.34 Fullers Garage |
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08-23-2012, 08:51 AM | #14 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 304383
Join Date: Dec 2011
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Lower End
My mechanic that i want too redue the blown head gaskits on my 1998 2.5 D.O.C.Told me they will not warrant for that some have locked up the bottom end after being replaced has any one heard of this ????? Dale Oh P.S. 150,000 miles on it.
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08-24-2012, 10:53 AM | #15 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 330106
Join Date: Aug 2012
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Just change it. It will only lead to more problems.
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