Pictured below are some after market head gaskets we recently took out of a 1st generation 2.5l DOHC in a 1997 Subaru Legacy Outback. They are the single worst idea I have seen in trying to address an issue that Subaru has already resolved.
Subaru came out with a great replacemant gasket for the first Generation 2.5l that is a real fix for the problem.
This gasket pictured below lasted a few months, yes months!! The gasket is similar in design to the original gasket that was used in production and then was tweaked making it even weaker.
The reason I point these gaskets out is I would hate for any of my readers to buy them, and get no real life out of the repair. I imagine since the repairs were made at a local “general repair shop” that the method of repair played into this as well, which is reason number one on a list of a hundred to make sure the shop you are taking your Subaru to is a Subaru Expert.
Paying to have the repairs made properly a second or third time will create financial and emotional frustration.
Thanks for reading , and know what you are paying for!!
Justin
John says:
Hi,
I will soon have to have the head gaskets replaced on my 2001 Subaru Outback. My mechanic is not a Subaru expert but still a good mechanic. I’d like to know where I can purchase genuine subaru parts? My mechanic will let me provide the parts. I also do some routine work myself but autozone or advance auto don’t seem to carry genuine subaru parts. I see a lot of website’s advertising subaru parts but I don’t know who to trust. Thanks for your assistance and great website.
John
Justin Stobb says:
Hi Bonnie,
Here is an article I wrote in 2006 and Q&A session about the head gaskets that is still on going.
https://awdauto.sitetherapy.co/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/
Justin
bonnie friedman says:
I have a 2002 Subaru Forester with a blown head gasket. It has 84,00 miles on it and I’m being told that it will cost around $3,500 to repair.
Has anyone had a similar problem?
Justin Stobb says:
Hi Dwayne,
We have a gasket that we sell, and that is the only gasket I really suggest using.
If you buy the Gasket from Subaru you are putting in the exact thing you are taking out.
Justin
Dwayne says:
Ken,
Your article certainly points out the problems with the wrong headgasket. I have a 2002 Subaru Impreza TS … starting to show the headgasket problems. How would i know which is the right gasket? Stay with the manufacturer’s model?
Thanks
-dwayne