I am considering buying a '97 Subaru Legacy GT2.5 with 90k. I am familiar with the overheating and head gasket problems. Here are my questions:

 

If the gaskets have been fixed once how long can I expect to get out of this engine?

 

If not, is there something I can do to prevent it? Install better gaskets? I used to use copper gaskets on my high compression Triumph racing engines that worked great.

 

Thanks for the info

Tim Reilley

Portland, Maine

My head gaskets have held for 145,000 kms (~2.5 yr) now. However, I ended up changing the block at the same time due to a conrod bearing failure.

 

Others have reported changing them more than once. I really don't know what the stats are on that.

 

Despite the "problem", there is still about a 4 to 1 or 2 to 1 chance (depending on how long you keep the car) that you will never have to touch the head gaskets. Those "odds" are just my own feelings on the matter.

 

I looked into copper gaskets briefly when I had my failure. I don't know much about them, but it seemed to me that one has to O-ring them if it is to be done properly. (I think that was the term used.) On top of that, one website highly recommended the use of some sort of "stop leak" product with them. I decided to stay with the OEM gaskets.

Commuter

There was a recal and dealers offer a 'conditioner' that you put in the coolant..this might prevent it for a while.

There was a recal and dealers offer a 'conditioner' that you put in the coolant..this might prevent it for a while.

This applies to the Phase II engine only. It won't do much of anything for the internal leaks that develop on the Phase I.

 

Commuter

This applies to the Phase II engine only. It won't do much of anything for the internal leaks that develop on the Phase I.

 

Commuter

Might give you a little smoke on the tail end!

I am considering buying a '97 Subaru Legacy GT2.5 with 90k. I am familiar with the overheating and head gasket problems.

 

Do you really need an AWD drive car? I you do, then the Subaru is probably worth considering. The Phase I 2.5L DOHC is not a particularly good engine for a number of reasons. I'll tell you what I would do. Assume that the engine will eventually blow the head gaskets when you make an offer on the car. If the engine head gaskets blow, fine, because your low ball purchase price price left you enough money to pay for the repair and other expenses. If the head gaskets don't blow, then you got the car pretty damn cheap.

 

A Subaru with a DOHC engine is not anywhere as desirable as a Subaru with the SOHC engine. So, price it accordingly. Also, if you buy the car READ and understand the operator's manual. One towing mistake with an AWD car can be very expensive.

and AWD is really great up there when its 20 below and you just got another foot of snow.

I used to use copper gaskets on Nortons and I considered them for my Subaru also.

In the end I went with post 03 gaskets and my phase 2 seems fine at the moment.

If I had a phase 1 I think I would do a head gasket change at about 120,000 miles even if I had no trouble with it to that point. Mind you I changed my head gaskets on my car at around 95,000 miles and mine is a phase 2. I had a tiny weep and I wanted to feel confident that it would not blow.

Based on Commuter's experience and a few others from this board I suspect the post 03 phase 1 subaru gaskets are a big improvemnt and I would use them with CCRINC rebuilt heads with the valves already adjusted. Valve adjustment is due at around then for a phase 1 I think and it would be much easier with the engine apart.

Keep in mind I am a paranoid ex mechanic who is fussy about his cars.