We have been experiencing ongoing problems with our 2000 Legacy GT.

 

CEL's several times, new injectors on 1 & 3 cyls for sure possibly 2x on #3, now dealer says that head gaskets are gone. They want to check based on a compression test reading of 150# from the #4 cylinder with no other cylinders checked... will have to commit to a 10 hr labour charge to R&R the heads. Dealer is absolutely confident that thais is the problem. I challenged them by asking what if it isn't? We have written a looong letter to the President & CEO of Subaru Canada to get a response. So far... they are looking into the problem.

 

Any other out there with similiar problems?

 

you can see the letter here:

 

http://clubweb.interbaun.com/dwrate/letter.html

I am sorry to hear of your extensive troubles. It seems to me that both the car is substandard and the repair shops have let you down.

 

The overheating you describe in your letter does sound like head gasket failure. I don't think a compression test under ideal conditions is a reliable way to diagnose head gasket failure in these engines. Testing only one cylinder is inconclusive for sure. Insist that they test the coolant for combustion gasses. A leakdown test of the cylinder or cooling system may be useful as well.

 

Well written letter.

 

Good luck.

How far are you beyond the 60K mile drivetrain warranty?

We are at about 82,000 miles...

Compression tests are good for bad valves and rings, but with a head gasket, the area that leaks is usually very small. Couple that small area with the fact that you are blowing air into the pressurized cooling system, and you will see a only a slight decrease in pressure. If the leak was that bad, your radiator would be bubbling like crazy.

 

As has been said on this board before, testing the coolant is the best way, or maybe a pressure test on the cooling system.

 

It's hard to choke out the words "Sorry that you have to get a head job", but in this case, I guess it fits.

just won't show a blown head gasket until it is bad enough to leak all the time.

A lot of these things leak while hot and then cool down and hold.

Even when you tear down an engine with a slight leak it can be really tough to find the spot where it leaked.

I agree with TC that a coolant test is a winner. The residue stays

in the coolant after the engine cools down.

My 2000 GT Headgasket leaked externally.

 

#4 as well.

 

Ran fine until the coolant flush - then headgasket leaked right away.

 

Warrantee got mine...