My sisters friend has a 07 Subaru Legacy for sale (non turbo). It has 188,000 miles and has just had new timing belt, water pump, head gasket and heads resurfaced and polished. It overheated to the point of warping the head , the work was done by various local shops (I would if felt better if it was done by a Subaru mechanic) I know the head gasket issue is common but I'm wondering if it overheated to the point of warping the heads than it seems like it could of caused other internal damage as well. I've also read that redoing the heads can change the compression and can cause bottem end problems . She's asking 3900 for the car and I really want it but I'm afraid it will crap out on me shortly after buying . I drove it and it runs well but I noticed a weird noise when coming to a stoplight at idle . it wasn't a knocking or pinging noise , it sounded almost like a pushing sound inside the engine that would come and go. I've never heard a motor make that sound before . Maybe some type of pressure or vacuum problem ? What are the odds of there being more damage and what should I look for ? Also the steering wheel had alittle vibration on the highway. appreciate any replies, does this car sound like it's worth buying? I'm hoping to make a decision on this asap so she doesn't sell it to someone else . Thanks

I'm thinking maybe the sound I heard was a fan going on and off, or maybe injectors ?

So the engine overheated, and then all the work was done? I'm not miss reading this and you're saying, it had all that done and it recently overheated again?

It only overheated once , and than all the work was done . It runs good now (besides that noise that comes and goes when at a stop sign or redlight, didn't hear it when car was in park ) Once thing that was sketchy was that whoever was doing the work put on the fender on over the hood prop so you can't even prop the hood open. I'm guessing it was a pretty shitty mechanic ...

My sisters friend has a 07 Subaru Legacy for sale (non turbo). It has 188,000 miles and has just had new timing belt, water pump, head gasket and heads resurfaced and polished. It overheated to the point of warping the head , the work was done by various local shops (I would if felt better if it was done by a Subaru mechanic) I know the head gasket issue is common but I'm wondering if it overheated to the point of warping the heads than it seems like it could of caused other internal damage as well. I've also read that redoing the heads can change the compression and can cause bottom end problems . She's asking 3900 for the car and I really want it but I'm afraid it will crap out on me shortly after buying . I drove it and it runs well but I noticed a weird noise when coming to a stoplight at idle . it wasn't a knocking or pinging noise , it sounded almost like a pushing sound inside the engine that would come and go. I've never heard a motor make that sound before . Maybe some type of pressure or vacuum problem ? What are the odds of there being more damage and what should I look for ? Also the steering wheel had a little vibration on the highway. appreciate any replies, does this car sound like it's worth buying? I'm hoping to make a decision on this asap so she doesn't sell it to someone else . Thanks

Be VERY careful of aftermarket shops.... sooooo many don't know how to properly work on Subaru engines, and they use cheap aftermarket parts... so if you read my posts, I only had 99k on my one month old purchase of a 2007 Legacy 2.5i and the timing belt tensioner bolt broke due a idiot who either used a impact wrench, or?? Either way, 4 intake valves bent

 

 

Edited May 7, 20178 yr by 06SubLegTx

So far, it sounds like whoever worked on the car isn't...the best mechanic out there. So just from that I would stay away from it.

 

But could you explain this "pushing" sound better?

Overheated bad enough to warp heads would mean - to me - the rod bearings got 'crispy'. They are the common side-effect  of a bad overheat: Replace the HG>>Replace the engine. :-(

 

Take it to a Subie mech and have a Buyer's inspection done...or just keep looking.

Thank you for the replies, I was planning on having the car brought to a local Subaru dealership to be looked at by there mechanics but I don't know how thorough of an inspection they can do. I'm bummed because I really want this car but I just can't financially afford to buy something that isn't going to be somewhat reliable . Still not sure on what to do . And the pushing sound is hard to describe , it's definitely not a knock or a ping. It would happen when coming to a red light or stop sign at idle but I didn't hear it when we stopped and car was in park and it would come and go. you know the sound a refrigerator makes when it kicks on? Kinda like that but different

 

So the general consensus would be to pass on this car? It's just a shame because I really want that gen Legacy sedan and for my price range they are all gonna have head gasket issues or be on there way to having them with higher than 100,000 miles. I was siked when I found this car because it already had it done . Head gasket was replaced , timing belt, water pump, new brakes, new tires , very clean exterior and interior ... it seemed perfect for what I was looking for : (

I also checked the car fax and no accidents and it was well maintained and had all proper maintenance consistently done at Subaru mechanic , until it was sold in 2015. Than the records stopped

If the engine overheated to the point it warped the heads I would pass as the rod bearings will likely be the next thing to go.  That probably means at the very least a short block change or and engine replacement.  I would pass myself unless you are prepared for an engine change.

Depends on the price.  If you can get it at the right price and put in a good used engine then, go for it.

 

www.car-part.com will give you a good idea on a used engine.

 

Explain to the fellow that his engine is not going to last long as the lower end bearings are shot.

 

$1000, may be $1500 if its in good condition other than the engine.

+1 what lmdew wrote.

 

Miles over 100k isn't what kills subarus, rust is. Bad overheats only kill engines.