rocr1

I see thank you.

thanks for the great info. So this weekend I was reviewing the chiltons manual on changing head gaskets. It says you can do it with the engine inplace, however it is difficult. My question is has anyone changed a head gasket in a 2000 forester with the engine in place. I am debating on wheather or not to pull the engine. I know pulling it would be easier to get to the heads, however it looks like there is just enough room to to get tools in and get the heads off. Also the manual says to remove the cam shaft. Does this really need to be done? Thanks

Thanks for the info. Great stuff. The head gasket issue I'm basing it on what my aunt told me her mechanic said, also she said it would overheat and lose coolant fluid. I'll definalty check and see if she added the coolant additive, i'm guessing her mechanic had no idea of the additive and thats why the head gasket is shot. thanks again.

Thanks. Just to give everone a little more info the car has 125,000 miles on it.

Thanks for all the great replys. and thanks nipper for the break down of parts. Well the car was my aunts and she got another vechical so she didn't want to put the money into the subaru, so I told her I would take it off her hands. johnceggleston, nice suggestion I'll check that O2 sensor out. Thous cat converters are expensive. The only reason I thought it was the cat was becauce my aunt said the check engine light came on and her mechaninc read the code saying it was a bad cat. But I totally don't believe what her mechanic told her. So i'll have to check it out myself.

Just wanted to introduce myself. I just picked up a 2000 Forester for free. Well not totally free. It has a blown head gasket, bad cat convert, and needs rear struts that I am going to replace before I start driving it. It was a little difficult finding a repair manual for the 2000 Forester, but luckely Chiltons just released one today, so I have my order in. Well if any one has replaced the head gasket on a 2000 and has any suggestions please let me know. As for right know its time to get the hands dirty under the hood.