Can someone tell me how you know when the head gasket is leaking? This is on a 1996 Outback with 145,000 miles. The car runs fine. The Subaru dealer looked at it and said the head gaskets needed replacing. Another good local mechanic, familiar with Subaru's said it was ok.

 

The ouside of the engine is clean and no leaks. There is a film of oil coating the top part of the radiator bottle, but the coolant is clean with no oil mixed with it that I or the local mechanic can see. I'm wondering if the headgasket is OK??? Jim

If you do a search under "Head Gasket", you'll find a ton of responses and good literature on the subject.....and ultimately insight into your problem.