Head gasket is leaking, 169K, Should he have it fixed it or sell it? I hear its a pricey endeavor.

1st case of a leaking H6 head gasket I've heard of, what's the confidence level its the head gasket?

 

What kind of leak, and which way?

 

Coolant out to the air, oil into the coolant, coolant into the cylinder, exhaust into the coolant, etc etc.

 

 

Since you made it to 169Kmiles, I and the other H6 owners would love to hear what major work you had to do along the way- timing chain? water pump? etc.

 

I have an '03 LLBean with about 80K.

 

Dave

Its not mine but they just did the valve cover gaskets and mechanic found coolant to air, underneath. I believe that is all that has been done with it. Owner crawled under and verified the leak, seepage only, right above the oil cooler.

so the car overheats?

and eats coolant?

and the owner took it to shop where they replaced the valve cover gaskets? I am lost on this one

No, its fine, nothing wrong. He saw the seepage and is now concerned.

No, its fine, nothing wrong. He saw the seepage and is now concerned.

 

Before I worry about replacing gaskets. I'd consider a can of the subaru "conditioner" recommended for the 2.5 engines.

"conditioner"? Head gasket replacer in a can?

Don't bother fixing it unless it gets a lot worse. You can buy a lot of antifreeze for what it would cost to fix it. And the stop-leak stuff just might work, too.

I concur with the earlier replies.

 

Coolant-to-air only, seepage only, maybe add the magic gasket conditioner, and just watch it closely.

 

A little anti-freeze seeping is not a big deal. It could seep the way it is for a long time- or get worse tomorrow, but I'd say chances are good it'll only seep for a good long while.

 

 

Dave

Excellent, will pass it on..thanks.