What year did the Subaru finally address this HG problem on the 2.5L engine, definitively?

 

I heard indication was 2005 and up was trouble-free, but wanted to confirm.

Dunno... but the only subaru that I've actually destroyed it's engine was a 2006 -- and I've owned about a dozen of them, mostly 80's ones, and one EA82 had bad head gaskets, but the engine was still ran fine if you kept the coolant level up. THe 2006 outback we had at work had some odd oil leak that soaked the timing belt, and caused it to slip, destroying one head. Covered under warrantee since it was only 15k miles on it at the time. I consider that to be a bit of a fluke, but it shows that there are exceptions to every trend. I also had a friend punch a rod through the block on a phase I EJ22, which is often considered the most bulletproof subaru engine ever. And another friend get 400k miles on a chevy engine with no work.

This has been asked over and over before. There's no quantitative answer. Subaru discontinued their extended headgasket warranty campaign around 2002/2003 and started requiring their "conditioner" with the coolant, so i believe that's their "fix". whether any updates happened later than that i have no idea.

 

It's important to note the headgasket issue is not nearly as prevalent as it was in the past.

It's important to note the headgasket issue is not nearly as prevalent as it was in the past.

 

This is what I've heard too. My independent Suby shop says they've only had a few after about 2004 models.

Personally Ive worked on thousands of Subarus and I have seen 1 2005 Outback with blown head gaskets...However Ive also seen many many 04's with blown HG's..So personally I would say the "issue" was resolved starting with the 2005 MY...

This is what I've heard too. My independent Suby shop says they've only had a few after about 2004 models.

 

See, my concern is that 2004 and up doesn't show up so much is because they don't yet have the (relatively) high enough miles for this to happen, namely 80K+ miles. Maybe in a few years we will see a flood of those as well.

I had a head gasket job done on my 2.5 Outback. Now the crankshaft is making grinding noises. Anyone heard of this before--that a thorough head gasket repair would trigger other problems?

I had a head gasket job done on my 2.5 Outback. Now the crankshaft is making grinding noises. Anyone heard of this before--that a thorough head gasket repair would trigger other problems?

 

check your crank sprocket, does it wobble??

Consumer Reports' guide shows the '04 had major engine issues. However, '05 was given the thumbs up in the engine section. I remember Subaru was getting the most grief over the HG issues during 2003. It would make sense that they figured out the fix for the '05 year.

Edited January 16, 201016 yr by 9098

See, my concern is that 2004 and up doesn't show up so much is because they don't yet have the (relatively) high enough miles for this to happen, namely 80K+ miles. Maybe in a few years we will see a flood of those as well.

 

 

My dealer looked up my vin number and told me I had a number XXXXX head gasket, and that was the corrected one and I would be fine. But I must admit, I still am concerned. I check for leaks under the car, easy to spot in the white snow! So far the snow is still white!

check your crank sprocket, does it wobble??

 

Whenever I go over a bump or into a dip it shakes. Any thoughts on a remedy--the mechanic seemed to think the crank had to be replaced?

Edited January 21, 201016 yr by Krag

I had headgaskets done in my 2004 legacy, at around 40k, I don't even put much mileage on the car either for a 2004 it's great and now it has 44k, with the new shortblock it's quieter, the knock kept up after even being warmed up, so it was all warranty and I didn't pay for a thing.