Hello..........looking at a 2001 forester with a 2.5 automatic.

I see blowing bubbles in the coolant resevoir tank.

Does anyone know what models and year that the headgasket

problem becomes an external leak as opposed to the earlier internal one?

 

The dealer wants 6,900. for it. It has 86,000 miles and all ther bells

and whistles ( heated seats, moonroof).

 

Thanks for your replies,

 

Rob

Hello..........looking at a 2001 forester with a 2.5 automatic.

I see blowing bubbles in the coolant resevoir tank.

Does anyone know what models and year that the headgasket

problem becomes an external leak as opposed to the earlier internal one?

 

The dealer wants 6,900. for it. It has 86,000 miles and all ther bells

and whistles ( heated seats, moonroof).

 

Thanks for your replies,

 

Rob

 

typically, 96 - 99 2.5L engines were prone to internal head gasket leaks, 1200 - -1800 repair. and 2000 - 03? were prone to external hg leaks. same repair cost.

 

if you see bubbles, i wouldn't buy it at any price without new head gaskets. or you might try to negotiate your best deal as is and then ask for a "head gasket / over heating warranty for 90 days. but this only benefits you if you drive it on some trips and test the head gaskets in the first 90 days. if the leak is small enough, it may drive around town fine for months.

 

better to just have them replaced before you buy. but work out a price for the car before you discuss the gaskets. spring it on him late in the discussion. if he knows they are bad he may balk, if not he'll know the car is worth less than if it was in good working order.

Consider walking away. You have no idea what might be wrong with the engine. A 2.5L engine with a leaking head gasket will overheat in a heartbeat. An all aluminum engine, the 2.5L takes overheating very badly. The heads might be warped. The block might even be cracked. Antifreeze (coolant) corrodes main bearings. If the engine has been leaking for a while, the bottom end of the engine might be toast.