It seems as though Subaru has a problem with head gaskets. I'm taking a survey. If you had yours replaced please respond here with your model, year, and miles (when head gasket was replaced.)

 

Thank You

BC7 Legacy, EJ22 @ 125k. Compression leaking into coolant on cylinder three.

All head gasket probs listed here http://mysite.verizon.net/vze730qe/guestlog.html

there is also a long running post over on nasioc on the same topic. you can view it here:

 

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=184026

 

i created the one on my page (the verizon site) to be one that can edit out the ones that are not applicable and be easy to print to include in correspondence with subaru and dealers.

I have seven friends with 97 or 98 Outbacks, with mileage from 72,000 to 191,000. None of them have had the head gaskets replaced, including mine - 130,000. My mechanic also says it's rare.

 

But to read this forum sometimes, you'd think the majority of cars have this problem.

its hard to tell how widespread the problem is. based on the amount of buzz there is, it seems as though it is more frequent than on other options, but without any acknowledgement from subaru, there is no real way to know failure rates. for head gaskets to fail on any engine, it is usually a sign of poor installation & defective parts (in which case a few would fail, as you see on most engines) or a defective design, in which case you see a lot of failures. either one, especially at lower mileages, should really be considered unacceptable and supported by the manufacturer if they have any interest in having repeat customers.

Originally posted by Ranger83

I have seven friends with 97 or 98 Outbacks, with mileage from 72,000 to 191,000. None of them have had the head gaskets replaced, including mine - 130,000. My mechanic also says it's rare.

 

But to read this forum sometimes, you'd think the majority of cars have this problem.

Don't consider yourself home free yet.

 

My 97 OB failed at 160k miles.

 

And my dealer admitted to performing a lot of head gasket jobs that same year (2002).

 

Commuter

Had the head gasket on my 2K Outback changed this past summer. Recently got a letter from Subaru stating that they are requiring a coolant additive be added to help prevent. Good part was that they will reimburse for cost of gasket replacement.

NW Montana, so it sees all outside temp ranges. No HG leaks internal or external. I guess if it hasn't done it by now, it won't.