Canuck Bob Posted September 20, 2010 Share Posted September 20, 2010 Is there a year when the 4H head gasket problem was solved? Might look into a Forester but not if the HG is dodgy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Bob Posted September 20, 2010 Author Share Posted September 20, 2010 Sorry, used wrong search first time. Seems like sometime in 2003 the problem was resolved. I'll search out 2004 and later vehicles. I found a nice couple of OBW H6's, will check them first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted September 20, 2010 Share Posted September 20, 2010 The head gasket issues aren't that big of a deal on the phase-II engines ('99 Forester, '00 Legacy). They develop an external coolant leak that is often stopped with the Subaru coolant conditioner. They don't overheat if the fluid is kept topped off. I have a '99 Forester with 240k on it. It started leaking externally - I put in two bottles of the Subaru stop leak (yes, you can do this according to Subaru) and it hasn't leaked a drop since. The stuff works well. And even then - often these vehicles (being a decade old or nearly so) have had the head gaskets replaced by now. Plus it's not that big of a deal to repalce them and gives an opportunity to check seals and do timing belt, water pump, etc. It's just a gasket. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Bob Posted September 27, 2010 Author Share Posted September 27, 2010 Thanks, I might disagree a little, a water pump gaskt is just a gskt, a head gskt is a serious thing. I am a trained mechanic and was service manager of a small import car shop years ago. I am a field salesman in Alberta's oilfield and often many miles from home. I must trust my family in this car in -30 weather and nasty road conditions. I appreciate your description. It is much easier to diagnose and the external leak is a good thing. When they start burning antifreeze and blowing hoses life gets exciting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renob123 Posted September 27, 2010 Share Posted September 27, 2010 Bob, Subaru started offering the new metal head gasket for all 2.5s a few years ago, so even a Forester or whatever from before then may have the new, much better gasket. It sticks up a little in certain places so you can tell if it's the good one without pulling the heads or anything crazy. Hopefully then you don't have to limit yourself to '04+ 2.5s. Jacob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted September 27, 2010 Share Posted September 27, 2010 Another option is finding one with headgaskets already replaced, that's not usually too hard to find given their propensity to pop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renob123 Posted September 27, 2010 Share Posted September 27, 2010 Another option is finding one with headgaskets already replaced, that's not usually too hard to find given their propensity to pop. That's what I was trying to get at. Jacob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted September 27, 2010 Share Posted September 27, 2010 I have bought used 2.5 cars with head gaskets already replaced.... something else has often failed and thus why I bought them but I find that it's common to see them already done. Many were done before 100k miles and some before 60k. So as said above - don't limit yourself on the model years - just educate yourself on how to spot a replacement head gasket. They are pretty easy to see because they are an entirely different design than the original gaskets - MLS vs. old-school composite. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted September 27, 2010 Share Posted September 27, 2010 MLS vs. old-school composite. GD unless you live in the rust belt and the corossion makes them all look the same. :lol: some are hard to tell by just looking at the cross section, not much to look at. :-\ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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