daehttub2000 Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montana105 Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottbaru Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daehttub2000 Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoobyDoo1061 Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoobyDoo1061 Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Duh... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiPilot Posted March 26, 2006 Author Share Posted March 26, 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"! 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiPilot Posted February 29, 2008 Author Share Posted February 29, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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