Gabbahey

Wolftrack: Thanks for that description. I'll have to pull the service hatch thingy and get under the car today. From above, I can only see a single layer of metal, no crimp. Maybe there's been yet another design change, or differences in DOHC/SOHC gaskets. Mike

Yep, I can see that, and it's a shame. Like teachers, techs should be trained and paid well!

When I had the timing belt replaced at 105 K, they didn't tell me that the inner t-belt cover had a stripped bolt. I discovered that when adjusting valves, as well as a new leak from under the t-belt cover. Was going to do this myself, had bought the parts, but broke my hand. I told them to save all the replaced parts. So I went back to the dealer. They apparently had made a bunch of notes about the cracked cover and the leak when they did the t-belt, but forgot to tell me. At the dealer to have the head gaskets replaced, there was a lady with another 2000 Outback throwing a P042 code. They were replacing the catalytic converter for some thousands of dollars. I had to wonder, did they try the O2 sensor first? Are techs in a hurry? Are most customers who go to a dealer just not interested in the details? (As opposed to customers who go to an independent shop.)

Nipper, Disorder: Thank you---I'm probably worrying about nothing. Mike

So are all the layers edge-to edge? That is, looking from the outside, would you see every layer? Thanks, Mike

Well, I haven't been back to the dealer to ask. I just drove away with their assurances....

Hey folks: I'd appreciate your opinion. I had my 2000 Outback with 111,000 K at the dealer for tires and inspection, and they pointed out some seepage from the head gasket at cylinder #4. Not clear if it was coolant or oil. There were other oil leaks from under the timing belt cover, thought to be seals (just had timing belt replaced and all seals/idlers/waterpump/tensioner). But later the seals were reported tight, and the leaks chalked up to the head gasket. No coolant leak or loss has been visible since I bought the car at 91,000 K. I've been thinking of replacing gaskets as a preventative measure for a while. It's an idea that's been eating away at me. So I decided to let the dealer do it. I can do this kind of work, but I'm so busy, I bailed and let the dealer handle it. The service manager was not certain if the original gaskets were new or old style. Like every other dealer I've been to in the last 20 years, he did not inspire confidence. After changing the gaskets, the service manager insisted the original were "old style" and the replacements were "new style." Of course, I wonder if they just used any old stock they had sitting around. My question: How are the new-style gaskets constructed? What do they look like installed? From above I can only see a single layer of metal. The old gaskets are a single layer of metal, with some kind of rubber coating on both sides. Not sure the condition reveals anything: the gaskets were thrown into the "kitty litter pile" until I recovered them, so the discoloration is the litter and other dirt. The coating has lifted/bubbled off the metal in places. Thanks, Mike