Head !@#$%^* Gaskets

Redline

Member
Actually, I'm not really all that upset, so this isn't going in the B&M forum.

1998 Subaru Forester w/155k

Blown head gasket. Anyone ever replace a Subaru one? How hard is it? Is it any more complicated that the 9 hour garage day for my 1996 2.2l Impreza?

Other parts I might want to change while the engine is out?

 
Change:

Tbelt

Idler pulley

front/rear engine seals

cam seals

headgaskets (jk-jk)

valve cover gaskets

water pump

anything else that is made of rubber, looks old, leaks, or is cracked

 
if pooched HG allows extensive mixing of coolant with engine oil and is run for a while this way, bearing replacement is advised.

otherwise, you pull the motor, take care and lavish on loving attention like Pedro mentions above....and then FARK!!! (^*&*%&$^&$^#@@!!! you spin a bearing a few thou later.

pls don't ask how I learnt this, it brings back painful memorie$ and rally DNF nightmares.

2.5 swap, 2.5 swap, 2.5 swap ....or at least a factory shortblock.

otherwise, sell the wag to some optimist from STM with a car hauler and gitcherself a bugeye Rex.

 
It's on the Forester... no "upgrade" for a 2.5 other than terbo

and the 2.2L engine right now is functioning fine.

 
if pooched HG allows extensive mixing of coolant with engine oil and is run for a while this way, bearing replacement is advised.

otherwise, you pull the motor, take care and lavish on loving attention like Pedro mentions above....and then FARK!!! (^*&*%&$^&$^#@@!!! you spin a bearing a few thou later.

pls don't ask how I learnt this, it brings back painful memorie$ and rally DNF nightmares.

2.5 swap, 2.5 swap, 2.5 swap ....or at least a factory shortblock.

otherwise, sell the wag to some optimist from STM with a car hauler and gitcherself a bugeye Rex.
it wasn't getting coolant in the oil thankfully, but it was getting a bit of mixing the other way. and the coolant breach was to the cyl (oh the sweet sweet exhaust smell)

 
Alrighty then...

So Exeter Subaru is looking at $2050 for just the gasket job, with associated items (timing belt, tensioner, water pump, cam seals (leaking I guess) and valve cover gaskets and misc. bits).

They also are recommending a new CBE, with the Catalytic receiving a new rear flange. On top of that, the sway bar endlinks and trailing arm bushings are near breaking. The front CV's are shot.

Now I know why I scored a helluva deal on the car. If I do the work, the price is STILL below value.

$4200 for all of the work... I figure $1200 if I do it myself, including beer and burgers for volunteers.

 
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