2003 Legacy L

[jp260z]

Car shopping lately, and I'm have been looking at used Subies. I came across an 03 Legacy w/ 107k that's original and runs good. I was wondering if they are as prone to HG leaks as the earlier EJ25's - 1998-2002. Been comparing w/ some Foresters and Outbacks of those years w/ roughly the same mileage, except they have recently had HG's replaced, and the money is the same. Trying to decide which is the smarter way to go?

 

Jay

[porcupine73]

The '03 shouldn't really have the HG issues of the earlier phase II 2.5L sohc engines. The issue was fixed around '03. I'll include the campaign with the VIN #'s from the campaign below; now there could be vehicles outside this range that were impacted, it's just the 'official' list.

 

Note that at 107k miles, she's due for a timing belt, and it needs to be done if it hasn't been since it's an interference engine that may bend valves if it breaks. At the same time there's a number of other smart things to do such as the timing idlers, water pump, cam seals, etc.

 

Ok now let me look for the VIN list.....one moment please...

[porcupine73]

[mikec03]

There have been a few head gasket failures of the late'02 and later subarus as you can see in the link. I have a late'02 so I'm keeping careful track of the situation. If I were looking to buy an '03, I would want to see that the coolant had been regularly changed at 30K intervals [unless it was a good bargain].

 

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/88-head-gasket-issues/18583-hg-failure-log-no-discussion-log-only.html

[idosubaru]

i'd try to find one with headgaskets already replaced. usually not hard to find depending on area.