I found this site after doing some research on what may be a head gasket problem with my 2008 2.5i. I love cars and racing them. I autox my Subaru and drag and lap my EvoX MR. I love that Mitsubishi and Subaru can get along on my driveway. I'm female which is a bit different from the norm in the racing scene...think I get that from my mother with the lead foot? I'm going to go to the area to try and figure out my oil leak issue and potential head gasket problems. I love my Subaru and I just bought new racing brakes and now I'm concerned about the oil leak. Thinking if I replace the both head gaskets I should do my timing belt, water pump, oil pan, and anything else? My Subaru 2.5i has 97,000kms and is a 2008.

Is the external leak the only problem? Any overheating? The single layer gaskets from the factory aren't the greatest and a bit under torqued. Six star make great MLS (multi layer steel) replacements for the head gaskets. Almost all aftermarket replacement head bolts are junk. You are way better off re-using the old head bolts, I've done many many head gaskets this way with no issues. However if you do replace them use factory or ARP only. I recommend timing belt with new components and water pump at this time along with factory thermostat. Any other questions lmk

Thank you for the recommendations. The car runs perfectly with no overheating/ backfires and the coolant and oil are clear. I can't even see where the car is leaking from and it was only when the dealership mentioned an oil leak/head gasket possibility that this became a concern for me.

I've found that most Subarus just push compression into the cooling system with little or no mixing, easiest way to tell is if the coolant overflow is bubbling. Chances are you wont need head gaskets quite yet.. Dealerships just want your money and they will just replace them with the same faulty factory ones. Most of the time they won't machine the heads or even clean them very well. In all fairness it is an EJ25 and it will most definitely need head gaskets at some point.

Hi

My running Subarus with the 2.5 engine are much older and give no head gasket problems.  I use the little bottle of Subaru antifreeze conditioner with each coolant change.  The engines have as much as 400,000 km on them, (about 250,000 miles).

I find that as the engines get older they leak at the valve cover gaskets, which is not a big deal.  A leak at the back of the engine, located between the motor and transmission is a royal pain.  My solution is to park where it doesn't matter if a bit of oil drips.

 

I learned some time back, to only use Subaru transmission fluid.  My use of another premium brand, let to my having swap in a transmission out of a parts car for my 1998.

 

I hope this helps

 

Norm

Thank you guys, you've given me food for thought. Definitely my Subaru dealership is one that will gladly take my money and they can find all sorts of extra things for me to purchase before I leave there. With that said, I'm probably going to take my Subaru to my friend who's the service manager at Mitsubishi and see if he can tell me if I've got a problem or not. I'm now 3 days with no oil drips underneath my Subaru and although that doesn't mean anything, that means it's a very small leak from the head gasket if that's what it is.

 

Norm, what is that conditioner called and how often do you change the coolant to get those kinds of top engine km's? I use Mobile 1 synthetic in both my Evo and Subaru and change them twice a year and additional if had a race day.

Was at the dealership today and spoke with the service manager. OMG they accept no blame after warranty expires for their faulty head gasket problem although she said she knows it's a definite Subaru problem. She did get her best guy to put my car up on the hoist quickly and confirm that my left head gasket is leaking and needs to be changed soon. I told her that at 95000kms a head gasket should not need changing and I told her that I was going to take this further and speak with the regional rep and with Subaru Canada. She said that she'd support me with Subaru Canada but said that they won't cover it but may in some way help. I've looked after this car with coolant changes, and twice yearly synthetic Mobile 1 oil changes....doesn't matter what you do, Subaru head gaskets will fail. I'm going to fight this...let's see what happens.

keep us updated, curious to see what they'll do for you. The most I've ever gotten from a dealership after warranty is a big bill

I''ve had that same bill...lol. Actually not funny.. I will keep you posted.

OMG they did the ultimate and between my dealership and Subaru Canada they are 100% covering the entire cost. I think I'm still in shock, but so happy.

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Edited November 22, 20169 yr by samsmith

Be aware of overheating and don't trust dealerships at all. Have you tried repair services? Might help though.

Also, extremely jealous because of EvoX Such a great car..

 

Try critical thinking paper. Might help as well.

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Headgasket issues in EJ2.5's has been well documented recognised and experienced universally.

 

THe early  EJ25D  (DOHC)    was the worst with internal headgasket leaks  leading to overheating if not recognised  and compromised big end bearings  if over heated.

 

The later EJ251  /  EJ253  (SOHC) (1999-2012)  weren't as bad  but still had predominantly external  oil / coolant leaks -  fixed with resurfacing heads and using MLS (turbo)  multi layer steel head gaskets.

This is universally recognised as the best way to do a better more successful headgasket replacement job on EJ2.5's

This is a known problem and very common with 2.5i and automatic transmissions. Subaru has been fairly good about extending the coverage so you did well to push it and get it sorted. Some dealers went too far, and covered too many and then Subaru did not reimburse so it has become a bit of a touchy issue. Basically has to do with engines being driven too hard when cold, cheaper head gasket, and a few other things. Major thing to watch out for when buying an Outback with this engine. Turbos do not have the issue for the most part. It is about a $1500 job at the dealer Leak usually starts on the driver's side first. 

 

Yes, driver side was the issue, but with encouragement from people on this site I did both head gaskets/machined, and I'm so happy it's sorted out. I couldn't get into my Subaru dealership for my last oil change and to check to make sure no gasket leaks (major tire change season), so I took it to my service manager friend at Mitsu, and they've confirmed no leaks after head gaskets done...wanted too make sure before warranty ended. Yay!