SubiPilot Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 I recently had my Check Engine light come on and experienced the temp running a bit hot at speeds 45-55. Took my wagon into the stealership and was told it needed new headgaskets because while running there were bubbles in the coolant overflow tank... indicative of the exhaust leaking into the cooling system and pushing the coolant out. The remedy is said to be to replace both headgaskets and radiator. I experienced no other probs with the car except for the running hot at those speeds... no loss of power.... nothing else. Does this sound legit? Also can anyone recommend a reliable Subi shop in CT? Thanks, Mal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dickensheets Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 The symptoms sound legit. A new radiator may or may not be needed. Get a 2nd and 3rd opinion on the radiator. Monitor the temp and coolant closely while you drive. Extended periods in the red zone will warp your engine. Carry extra coolant with you until you get this fixed. Do the timing belt since it comes off now anyway. Water pump too if the miles are higher than 100k. Expect to pay btwn $500-$1000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outback_97 Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 Some reading material for you: http://users.sisna.com/ignatius/subaru/hg.html Steve edit: Is this the 2.2 or 2.5? Much more common problem in the 2.5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 this would save posting trouble. Hi my name is____ and my ____ Subrau____ with 2.5 engine seems to have blown head gaskets. What do I do now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiPilot Posted January 30, 2006 Author Share Posted January 30, 2006 OK... picked up my subi from the stealership and got the lowdown. The diagnosis was I said earlier but with added parts needed: new exhaust parts (old corroded and cracked) $397 radiator (corroded but not leaking as of yet) $252 gaskets and misc parts make up the remainder of the parts cost $938 total. Labor was quoted at 12 hrs @ $92 = $1104 This brings the total to replace the headgaskets, exhaust flanges and radiator including labor to $2013 Timing belt has already been replaced. Not sure on the waterpump. On the drive home the temp didn't even reach the midpoint on the gauge. I obviously need to find a cheaper shop than the stealership... anyone know of any in CT? Thanks, Mal p.s. cookie I added the engine to the title. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzam Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 I recently had my Check Engine light come on and experienced the temp running a bit hot at speeds 45-55. Took my wagon into the stealership and was told it needed new headgaskets because while running there were bubbles in the coolant overflow tank... indicative of the exhaust leaking into the cooling system and pushing the coolant out. The remedy is said to be to replace both headgaskets and radiator. I experienced no other probs with the car except for the running hot at those speeds... no loss of power.... nothing else. Does this sound legit? Also can anyone recommend a reliable Subi shop in CT? Thanks, Mal When you say running hot, where on the temp gauge is the needle? You never spewed coolant or steamed up the engine compartment, right? Have you seen the bubbles in the overflow tank? 2.2's are pretty tough and while I not saying the never blow a headgasket, it's fairly unusual but not unheard of. I'd find someone who can test for exhaust gases in the coolant before I decided on new head gaskets. Also I'd want to know what was the code that caused the CEL to come on. Did the dealer ever tell you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiPilot Posted January 31, 2006 Author Share Posted January 31, 2006 When you say running hot, where on the temp gauge is the needle? You never spewed coolant or steamed up the engine compartment, right? Have you seen the bubbles in the overflow tank? 2.2's are pretty tough and while I not saying the never blow a headgasket, it's fairly unusual but not unheard of. I'd find someone who can test for exhaust gases in the coolant before I decided on new head gaskets. Also I'd want to know what was the code that caused the CEL to come on. Did the dealer ever tell you? The temp needle went right up the the shaded area below the line... not above... never spewed coolant or steam. And it only did that once... most the time when getting hot it goes up about 3/4... when cruising nicely it's just below half-way. I haven't seen the bubbles in the overflow but will have to look ... also don't know the code that caused the CEL but was told that it was because the fans are having to work too hard to cool the engine... It seems rather sporadic and I seem to be able to control it some running the heater. I was shocked when I was told the head gasket is blown since there is no loss in power and other than getting warm at times it seems fine. Thanks for the tip on having the coolant checked...I'll have to do some checking around. Mal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dickensheets Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 A few years ago my Mazda p/u was overheating consistently on hot days. My radiator was in poor shape (after 12 years of living on the coast of calif, and Puerto Rico). I bought a new rad at autozone and put it in. Problem fixed. Moral of story is this: eliminate cheap fixes first. Try a newer rad and report back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 I recently had my Check Engine light come on and experienced the temp running a bit hot at speeds 45-55. Took my wagon into the stealership and was told it needed new headgaskets because while running there were bubbles in the coolant overflow tank... indicative of the exhaust leaking into the cooling system and pushing the coolant out. The remedy is said to be to replace both headgaskets and radiator. I experienced no other probs with the car except for the running hot at those speeds... no loss of power.... nothing else. Does this sound legit? Also can anyone recommend a reliable Subi shop in CT? Thanks, Mal Replace the radiator yourself, its easy and alot cheaper then what the dealership is quoting. i get mine from www.radiator.com . i never heard of replacing the radiator and HG unless the is oil in the antifreeze. How many miles are on the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 OK... picked up my subi from the stealership and got the lowdown. The diagnosis was I said earlier but with added parts needed: new exhaust parts (old corroded and cracked) $397 radiator (corroded but not leaking as of yet) $252 gaskets and misc parts make up the remainder of the parts cost $938 total. Labor was quoted at 12 hrs @ $92 = $1104 This brings the total to replace the headgaskets, exhaust flanges and radiator including labor to $2013 . a PS ... the subaru exhaust system is suprisingly easy to work on. At that price they arent talking a cat i dont think, it sounds way too low. They mautsbe talking other pipes, which again you can get alot cheaper at an independent (non chain) auto parts store, and get walker pipes. Another solution is to get all the parts yourself and have somone put them in for you, that will cut down the bill by 1/3. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 The 2.2 blows so few head gaskets I'd want to be really sure before I pulled it apart. I think i would start by changing the radiator, cap, and thermostat and try it before making up my mind what to do. If it still overheated I'd do the gaskets, but only after being quite sure. The exhaust can be done almost at almost any chain or indie cheaper as Nip says. All this is fairly easy stuff to do if you have a place to work and a few tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiPilot Posted January 31, 2006 Author Share Posted January 31, 2006 thanks guys... really appreciate the input. UPDATE... I checked the coolant...no oil in the coolant. I've ordered a new radiator from radiator.com...cost me $144 delivered... saved $140 over the stealership quote. I also checked with the stealership and they were basing the head gaskets needing replacement on 2 things... 1) occasional bubbles in the coolant when hot... 2) the CEL error (which they weren't exactly sure of... possibly PO258) for cooling fan irrationality. They are not able to check for hydrocarbons in the coolant as they do not have the equipment. I have found a local shop that specializes in Subis and am taking my wagon there to have them look it over. Unfortunately I don't really have the space or tools to work on it myself. RE: the exhaust... I need the first 2 small pipes off the engine and a cat flange. The radiator was recommended since it was deemed 'unhealthy'. There are now 145k miles on my wagon.... I'll let you know what happens... should get the new radiator tomorrow and have them check it out at the indie shop. Thanks for all your input! Mal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Dont you guys have emissions inspection in Ct? how can a shop in todays age of emissions NOT have a emissions sniffer? If they do inspections they have to have one, as subarus are exmept from the dyno emissions (i think everywhere AWD vehicals are exmpt) so they have to have a tail pipe sniffer (thats what you use if you dont have a hand held sniffer). Either they were pulling your leg and didnt want your business, or are truly a stealership. Even non inspection shops have sniffers nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Nip, a lot of folks aren't clever enough to realize that you can use an emissions sniffer here. I was at a shop here in CA where a guy had the whole dyno outfit and the old type who did not realize he could use it for that.Of course here we are quite lucky if a mechanic speaks English... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiPilot Posted January 31, 2006 Author Share Posted January 31, 2006 Dont you guys have emissions inspection in Ct? how can a shop in todays age of emissions NOT have a emissions sniffer? If they do inspections they have to have one, as subarus are exmept from the dyno emissions (i think everywhere AWD vehicals are exmpt) so they have to have a tail pipe sniffer (thats what you use if you dont have a hand held sniffer). Either they were pulling your leg and didnt want your business, or are truly a stealership. Even non inspection shops have sniffers nipper I hear ya nipper... but the CT emissions is whack. Only certain approved shops have the equipment...gone are the days of your neighborhood service station being able to do an emissions test. All the equipment is directly linked to the CT DMV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zyewdall Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 subarus are exmept from the dyno emissions (i think everywhere AWD vehicals are exmpt) so they have to have a tail pipe sniffer nipper Nope, in Denver metro area all vehicals newer than 1982 go through dyno emissions. They have two special lanes in the emissions center for dynoing full time awd vehicals -- two sets of rollers with adjustable wheelbase. Even diesels get dynoed (although all they check for the diesel is soot) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Really? i was wondering when that would start happening. Do you have the state DMV doing the inspections? i know that states that have private inspection stations they only made them get the single axle dynos nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zyewdall Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Really? i was wondering when that would start happening. Do you have the state DMV doing the inspections? i know that states that have private inspection stations they only made them get the single axle dynosnipper Well, it's not technically the DMV, but its a private company that the DMV hired just to do emissions testing. They can do VIN checks and some other DMV-like things there too (but not registration, title, stuff like that -- still have to wait in the interminable lines at the DMV office for that) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiPilot Posted February 4, 2006 Author Share Posted February 4, 2006 UPDATE!!!! Problem fixed.... for now anyways... I then had a independent local shop install the radiator, put in a new thermostat and a new radiator cap. Replaced the coolant... tested. Voila... temp guage was rock steady at just below half on the drive home. The shop I took it too also said that there was no oil in the coolant, and that the occasional bubbles could have been caused by someone topping off the radiator and not properly venting it. At this stage I would say that the dealer I took it too originally is a definite stealership. Stealership estimate in repairing overheating and error code (P1502) - $2013 This included replacing the radiator, cap and thermo by the way....as well as new headgaskets and exhaust parts. Radiator from radiator.com $144 Local independent shop to install it and clear code, test... $309 That's $453 total.... I saved $1560 and the problem seems to be fixed. I'll get the Subi out on the road escorting on Monday and report back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 YAY congratulations nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiPilot Posted February 4, 2006 Author Share Posted February 4, 2006 UPDATE.... 100 mile test drive varying conditions... temp guage rock solid at just below half!!!!! Whoohooooo! Thanks for all the input guys!!! This is an awesome message board!!!!!! The stealership to avoid unless you want to pay top rates for unnecessary work is Colonial Subaru in Danbury CT. Thanks again! Mal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moab austin Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 for future referencee you can get a radiator "fluid sniffer" from most any parts store for under 50.. if there are ANY bubbles coming into rad it will tell you if you head gaskets are causing it... you just pull the cap, put som special fluid in hte tool, and put the tool where the cap goes, then run car.. if it is getting blowuout of the gasket - the "special fluid" will turn a diff. color. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 Moab, those have not been working 100% on slightly leaking subie gaskets. The good thing I have heard is that they don't give you a false positive. When the gasket is quite bad they get easy to find on all common tests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerslegacy Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 Do remeber a service bullentin wwp-99? A cooling system conditioner was added. I believe twice. Subaru obviously had some problems they knew about. I have a leaky gasket left side mostly coolant, I am hoping Subaru will fix it. Check with me next week. 93,000 miles on my 2002 legacy. I recently had my Check Engine light come on and experienced the temp running a bit hot at speeds 45-55. Took my wagon into the stealership and was told it needed new headgaskets because while running there were bubbles in the coolant overflow tank... indicative of the exhaust leaking into the cooling system and pushing the coolant out. The remedy is said to be to replace both headgaskets and radiator. I experienced no other probs with the car except for the running hot at those speeds... no loss of power.... nothing else. Does this sound legit? Also can anyone recommend a reliable Subi shop in CT? Thanks, Mal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a97obw Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 I'll get the Subi out on the road escorting on Monday and report back. Well, that's certainly a twist on "Pimp my ride"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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