Draven11722 Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 So I have been surfing the net about my overheating issue and come to find out there is a Head Gasket flaw in 2.5 engines...CRAP!!! I was wondering if anybody knows if there is a recall on '97 2.5 engines. Also any input you can give me would be awesome. '97 Legacy GT 70,000 miles EJ25 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 There are no recalls. Subaru hasn't even acknowlegded a head gasket problem with the 2.5L DOHC engine. You are ten thousand miles out of warranty. Make sure you get the LATEST revision head gaskets when you replace them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rweddy Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 So I have been surfing the net about my overheating issue and come to find out there is a Head Gasket flaw in 2.5 engines...CRAP!!! I was wondering if anybody knows if there is a recall on '97 2.5 engines. Also any input you can give me would be awesome. '97 Legacy GT 70,000 miles EJ25 I would not agree that the 2.5 engine is crap, but the HG has some design flaws. Remember you will not see people post here about how great their 2.5 is lasting. I know several 2.5 that are in the 200k range with no issues. Just keep you eye out for overheating and save up $1200 for the replacement if they do go. And make sure you use the new designed gaskets if you do need to replace them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timintc Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 2000 legacy about 70,000 miles Subaru replaced my head gaskets under an extended warranty, its not well known and doesnt apply to your model year, but i called the zone office and they had my local dealer replace it at no charge, soon after wards i got a letter in the mail stating that i had to take it in for a special coolant additive and that if anyone had a headgasket replaced they were eligible for reimbursement, ok here it is i just went out in -10 below temps and got the letter from my glove box. It is called Service Program WWP-99 issued in march of 04. It does say its limited to 1999 thru 2002 model years but it sure seems like theyve known about this problem for a number of years. good luck fellow subie driver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
later, Peter Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 I now own two Subaru Outbacks with the 2.5. I was "blown" away when I saw all the posts about the impending doom I should expect from this engine's H.G.... so I just started talking to anybody with this type engine in my area... most with over 140k+ with no problems...NONE! regular servicing is about all most of these people have had done. There is also another post by a pilot who uses this engine in planes (now that is scary) & believes that the gasket failure has more to do with faulty coolant changes that allow air to be trapped in the system... see multiple posts about "burping" the system (especially Setright's). This IS a design flaw but readily overcome with some extra effort. In the meantime, the '99 30th Anniversary OBW is comfortable & posh (great sound system too)... the '96 OBW is the local transportation with a "jest a bit" more security than the old Mazda 323 2 door. I'd say, if you like it, enjoy it... But, if you spend your time staring at the temp guage (like I used to do) or get caught up in the doomsayer's... maybe you should blow it off. However, NO car is NOT going to have some mechanical problems at some point... Later, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johngenx Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 After doing lots of searching here, and other places, and talking to Subie fans, I have come to the following conclusions: 1. The 2.5L DOHC engine has a higher incidence of HG failure than some other Subaru engines. These tend to be "internal" leaks, meaning you must have them replaced to avoid damage. 2. The SOHC 2.5L engine has some issues with HG's, but mostly "external" in nature, and not as critical to have replaced immediately. 3. Either 2.5L DOHC or SOHC engine is awesome otherwise. I have now met some OB and Forester owners with huge mileages and their engines are bullet-proof. Even if you have the head gasket done, the engine is perfect otherwise. 4. Subarus have few other problems in general. They seem to have missed the flood of sludged engines that have effected others, have pretty reliable automatics and strong suspension systems. AC systems seem pretty reliable, and most electrical accessories hold up well. It seems to me that overall the failure rate is not something to get freaked out over, and if it does happen, it's not going to drain your account by having to be done frequently. Having only been a Subaru owner for about 13 months, I am not at all discouraged by the HG issue. They just have too many redeeming qualities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 The fact that these engines ARE used in aircraft indicates to me how trusted the engines really are. I read an interesting article by an aviator about how the HG problem is thought to be occuring. It stated that a air bubble was being trapped in the head and causing a hot spot. By drilling a hole in the right spot and letting the air bleed out, cured the problem. This is probably the same article that Later, Peter refers to in his post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 engine, the old Jeep Continental six, and the VW in aircraft too. Frankly I am not sure I'd like to be up in one of those. The guy who was useing a Subie in his aircraft had a whole different cooling system too so I am not sure that exactly realtes. I do beleive that the earlier ones did not bleed easily but I do think the unsupported cyl walls are the real problem. The fact that they are hard to bleed could be a contributing factor but a number of folks who had done everything right have had failures. Heck my car was dealer serviced from new and was leaking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 Here is a link to one of the many, many, sites that deal with Subaru aircraft engines. I would have no problem putting one of these engines in a plane I flew. Check out the video of Tom Moore's Subaru RV7A. http://www.eggenfellneraircraft.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
later, Peter Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 Heck my car was dealer serviced from new and was leaking. I once had a transmission noise serviced by a dealer (International Harvester... talk about bulletproof) & the cluck that was checking it some how forgot to replace the trans grease after he checked for metallic residue (they said) anyway the DEALER put in a new 4 speed manual trans and a clutch after it burnt up.... & after they were convinced it wasn't "going to happen anyway"... Dealer's do have employees that make mistakes... we are all humans with that opposing thumb after all. Not that Cookie's problem was certainly the dealer's fault, gaskets have been known to breech... You get the point here. Later, Peter 99 30th Anniversary OBW 70k 96 OB Wan 147k neither has gotten headgaskets... yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 But at least a trained Subaru mechanic is going to know a bit more about Subarus and thier quirks than the local quick oil change. I just stopped using my dealer because they changed the clutch and did not change the pilot bearing, requireing pulling the transmission 9 months later. My head gasket failure was in no way the dealer's fault. I have the phase 2 and after hearing on the board about possible external leakage I monitored my coolant level closely. The first time it went down I started looking for leaks and found the telltale seepage from the head gasket. I had the dealer change the head gaskets, and several months later Subaru issued the goop and actually paid for my gasket change. The phase 1s that are off warranty do not get treated so well. To Subaru these are history now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trbscpa Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 Just recently bought my first Subaru ('00 Forester, 60K mi.) and although I haven't had any real problems with it, I just have to remark that I've owned Toyotas for 20 years and never had to give any more thought to them than just doing regular maintenance (you can take them to anyone, too, you don't have to go to a dealer who will have the special knowledge, special goop, coolant air purging expertise, high prices, etc.) They all went up to 200K mi. without a hiccup. Now I need to monitor my coolant level and oil continuously, keep sniffing my ventilation air for hints of sweet smells, listen for wheel bearing noises, etc. Maybe some people like to own "quirky" cars, but I thought I was buying a relatively new car with a (deservedly?) good reputation for being reliable so that I would have less to worry about, not more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rweddy Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 Just recently bought my first Subaru ('00 Forester, 60K mi.) and although I haven't had any real problems with it, I just have to remark that I've owned Toyotas for 20 years and never had to give any more thought to them than just doing regular maintenance (you can take them to anyone, too, you don't have to go to a dealer who will have the special knowledge, special goop, coolant air purging expertise, high prices, etc.) They all went up to 200K mi. without a hiccup. Now I need to monitor my coolant level and oil continuously, keep sniffing my ventilation air for hints of sweet smells, listen for wheel bearing noises, etc. Maybe some people like to own "quirky" cars, but I thought I was buying a relatively new car with a (deservedly?) good reputation for being reliable so that I would have less to worry about, not more. What year was your Toyota? I hate to burst your bubble but Toyotas are not the dead reliable vehicles of the 70-80's anymore either. Remember the HG issues will all Toyota 3.0? They all had major HG issues with ALL 88-96 3.0 and now they are having issues with the new 3.4 HG. My parent’s RAV4 has had several issues with sludge, wheel bearings, etc with 65k. My 97 Landcruiser has some major fuel related issues at 65k. I think that now Honda’s are the best for reliability but Subaru is defiantly in line with Toyota and possibly even better imo. And parts for Subaru is way cheaper than Toyotas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trbscpa Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 What year was your Toyota? You're right, the most recent was a '91 (165K and going strong,) previous ones were a '77 and an '87. Maybe the answer is to stick with old cars like my heart tells me to do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinjmpr Posted January 30, 2005 Share Posted January 30, 2005 I was worried for a while that my '99 OBW would start having HG problems, but (a) the number of 95-99 OBW's I see on a weekly basis numbers in the hundreds, and none of them are spewing smoke, which leads me to believe their HGs are fine. ( Remember that most people who drive Subarus don't post on this board. To them, the Subaru is just a car. I seriously doubt that there would be this many 1st Gen Outbacks still on the road if the HG problem was as common as many people seem to fear, and © Although $1200 is a lot of money, it represents about 4 car payments on a new car (or less, depending on how long you finance the car for.) Since my OB is paid for, it's worth the possibility of a HG replacement to not have to make car payments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
live4snow Posted January 30, 2005 Share Posted January 30, 2005 I see this number of 1200 dollars for a new head gasket being tossed around. Is this assuming that this is the dealers price of the price if you do it your self? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinjmpr Posted February 14, 2005 Share Posted February 14, 2005 I see this number of 1200 dollars for a new head gasket being tossed around. Is this assuming that this is the dealers price of the price if you do it your self? I believe that is the standard dealer price. I have seen posts from some of the DIY'ers here saying that they have been able to do it for around $200-$400. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted February 14, 2005 Share Posted February 14, 2005 200,000 miles isn't much to chear about. lots of foreign cars make 200,000. lots of subaru's make 200,000. i've had 2 make it to 200,000 (actually 196,000 and 198,000) on all the original gaskets before one was totalled and the other was parted out due to rust. go read boards about any cars, that's where people go with their problems. you're going to hear lots of problems on a forum of this type no matter the manufacturer. it's the nature of the board - free help. well, at no cost to you anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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