March 1, 200620 yr Awesome outcome. This is a great board. A Dealer Service Shop is really a PARTS REPLACEMENT shop $$$. In the future, a pressure test and possibly a compression test should be used to verify a leaking head gasket if there is any doubt. I'm glad you've found an independent shop. I did replace my 95 Legacy 2.2L headgaskets at +150K miles after one starting leaking coolant to the outside. No oil. No cylinder leak. Just preventative and I couldn't stand the stink and the mess. Independent shop for BOTH head gaskets - $900. I already had the timing belt changed earlier (@#*!). If you track down a WRX racing nut, chances are you'll find a good independent Subie shop.
March 5, 200620 yr I'm fairly new to the Subaru,why does the radiator need to be replaced if HG's go? Had the old POS Ford Taurus that ate head gaskets for lunch,but never had to replace the radiator.Just curious!!!! John
March 5, 200620 yr I'm fairly new to the Subaru,why does the radiator need to be replaced if HG's go? Had the old POS Ford Taurus that ate head gaskets for lunch,but never had to replace the radiator.Just curious!!!! JohnPerhaps their theory is that a bad radiator could cause the headgasket to blow?
March 6, 200620 yr On other types of cars this used to be fairly usual to replace the rad if it was several years old or at least have it cleaned up. They are often full of sludge and the shop won't want to take a chance of redoing the job.
March 6, 200620 yr Before a head gasket blows, it sometimes leaks and some people pour all sorts of stop leak gunk into the radiator hoping that $10 can save them a +$1,000 repair job. Unfortunately, that stuff ruins the radiator; hence the replacement. There are threads that warn people against using that stuff.
March 7, 200620 yr I'm fairly new to the Subaru,why does the radiator need to be replaced if HG's go? Had the old POS Ford Taurus that ate head gaskets for lunch,but never had to replace the radiator.Just curious!!!! John John~ Have done many Soobie HG jobs and concluded Radiator Volume restrictions (usually caused by mineral build up) along with extra pressure from flow restrictions to be part of prob(even if temp gauge shows normal). Unless flushing done on a regular basis, will not clean out these mineral deposits. Everytime I got a soobie (especially Turbos) made preventive change of Radiator. Results over years have proven theory rings true. Jeff BTW~How's Kalispell treating you and weather conditions there? Was there 25 yrs ago, beautiful country and clean clear waters.
March 26, 200620 yr Author 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"! LMAO! Happy to report that 10k after replacing the radiator, cap and thermo I don't have any probs. Temp rock steady at just below half and no more CEL.
February 29, 200818 yr Author Howdy folks! Now that I've found the forum again I wanted to post an update. It's now been 2 years and 125k since I replaced the radiator, thermo and cap and still no probs.... 265k on my Subi now and still running strong! No further issues with temp or headgasket. This board ROCKS! Subarus are the ultimate vehicle for pilot car work IMHO! Malcom Black Patriot Certified Pilot Cars LLC Sandy Hook, CT info@PatriotCPC.com http://PatriotCPC.com
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