Comments for Smart Service Subaru Blog http://www.smart-service.com/blog Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:11:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on Which head gasket is best for a Subaru? by Mike Corbin http://www.smart-service.com/blog/2010/03/which-head-gasket-is-best-for-a-subaru/comment-page-1#comment-1271 Mike Corbin Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:11:31 +0000 http://www.smart-service.com/blog/?p=128#comment-1271 Sorry to hear the news C.J. If Subaru does opt to help you out, I'm sure they'll only use their own gaskets since it's the only way they would be able to warranty the work on the head gaskets. It's the same most places you would go. If a shop can't use what it feels is best for the job they may opt to do it but they won't stand behind it. Good luck, Mike Corbin Smart Service Independent Subaru Expert Sorry to hear the news C.J.

If Subaru does opt to help you out, I’m sure they’ll only use their own gaskets since it’s the only way they would be able to warranty the work on the head gaskets. It’s the same most places you would go. If a shop can’t use what it feels is best for the job they may opt to do it but they won’t stand behind it.

Good luck,
Mike Corbin
Smart Service
Independent Subaru Expert

]]> Comment on Which head gasket is best for a Subaru? by CJ http://www.smart-service.com/blog/2010/03/which-head-gasket-is-best-for-a-subaru/comment-page-1#comment-1269 CJ Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:03:27 +0000 http://www.smart-service.com/blog/?p=128#comment-1269 Just stumbled across you blog while doing a search on Subaru head gasket problems. I have a 2002 Subaru Outback Sport with 172K. Last night driving home from work, the radiator overheated, the reserve cap blew spewing this yellow mustard colored liquid all over the interior of my engine compartment. Yup...the head gaskets blew. And I'm not sure why the coolant was so dirty. Was not aware of the head gasket issues prior to this. Looks like I'm in for the full expensive repair, but going to call the Subaru customer service hotline with high hopes. Just wondering if anyone has had problems with Subaru service centers refusing to put in non Subaru genuine parts as the Six Star Headgaskets seems to be the way to go. Just stumbled across you blog while doing a search on Subaru head gasket problems. I have a 2002 Subaru Outback Sport with 172K. Last night driving home from work, the radiator overheated, the reserve cap blew spewing this yellow mustard colored liquid all over the interior of my engine compartment. Yup…the head gaskets blew. And I’m not sure why the coolant was so dirty. Was not aware of the head gasket issues prior to this. Looks like I’m in for the full expensive repair, but going to call the Subaru customer service hotline with high hopes. Just wondering if anyone has had problems with Subaru service centers refusing to put in non Subaru genuine parts as the Six Star Headgaskets seems to be the way to go.

]]> Comment on Which head gasket is best for a Subaru? by Mike Corbin http://www.smart-service.com/blog/2010/03/which-head-gasket-is-best-for-a-subaru/comment-page-1#comment-1249 Mike Corbin Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:51:56 +0000 http://www.smart-service.com/blog/?p=128#comment-1249 Hi Elise, I wouldn't be too concerned with head gaskets on a 2006 Impreza. We have seen very few of them fail and they seem to be holding up better than the prior model year Subarus. As with any Subaru, I recommend having it fully inspected by a reputable shop before making the purchase. Take care, Mike Corbin Smart Service Independent Subaru Expert Hi Elise,

I wouldn’t be too concerned with head gaskets on a 2006 Impreza. We have seen very few of them fail and they seem to be holding up better than the prior model year Subarus. As with any Subaru, I recommend having it fully inspected by a reputable shop before making the purchase.

Take care,

Mike Corbin
Smart Service
Independent Subaru Expert

]]> Comment on Which head gasket is best for a Subaru? by Mike Corbin http://www.smart-service.com/blog/2010/03/which-head-gasket-is-best-for-a-subaru/comment-page-1#comment-1248 Mike Corbin Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:49:34 +0000 http://www.smart-service.com/blog/?p=128#comment-1248 Hi George, I think it may be a worthy investment to have the head gaskets replaced on your Forester if the rest of it is in overall good condition. Subarus frequently go 200,000 miles plus once the head gasket issue has been taken care of. Let's say you spend $1900 on the head gaskets and another $500 on misc. other repair/maintenance that might make sense to do while the car is being worked on. You compare that to the diminished trade in value the car has in the condition it's in along with what you would have to come up with for a down payment to replace the car and it's a no brainer (espescially when you consider the car payment you will be avoiding). Now, if budget is not an issue and you just would like to own a newer Subaru that better fits your needs, it may be a reasonable time to part ways with your Subie. Good luck on your decision what ever it may be, Mike Corbin Smart Service Independent Subaru Expert Hi George,

I think it may be a worthy investment to have the head gaskets replaced on your Forester if the rest of it is in overall good condition. Subarus frequently go 200,000 miles plus once the head gasket issue has been taken care of. Let’s say you spend $1900 on the head gaskets and another $500 on misc. other repair/maintenance that might make sense to do while the car is being worked on. You compare that to the diminished trade in value the car has in the condition it’s in along with what you would have to come up with for a down payment to replace the car and it’s a no brainer (espescially when you consider the car payment you will be avoiding).

Now, if budget is not an issue and you just would like to own a newer Subaru that better fits your needs, it may be a reasonable time to part ways with your Subie.

Good luck on your decision what ever it may be,

Mike Corbin
Smart Service
Independent Subaru Expert

]]> Comment on Which head gasket is best for a Subaru? by George Acenas http://www.smart-service.com/blog/2010/03/which-head-gasket-is-best-for-a-subaru/comment-page-1#comment-1246 George Acenas Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:36:27 +0000 http://www.smart-service.com/blog/?p=128#comment-1246 My '03 Forester @ 90,000 miles was doing hilly commutes 54 miles round trip for 2 years here in NJ at which point overheating on thermostat dial started occurring. My Sube mechanic topped off the coolant, replaced thermosstat & did the timing belt 2 years ago. This month in city stop & go traffic, the car overheated again. This worked for awhile. @ 126,000 miles, after numerous opinion, mechanics chemically analysed the coolant & found positive hydrocarbans, meaning oil leaking secondary to gasket leakin. When engine revved up, saw bubbles in the coolant reservoir. Just spent $1900 on mechanic labor to replace gaskets. Time to trade? My ’03 Forester @ 90,000 miles was doing hilly commutes 54 miles round trip for 2 years here in NJ at which point overheating on thermostat dial started occurring. My Sube mechanic topped off the coolant, replaced thermosstat & did the timing belt 2 years ago. This month in city stop & go traffic, the car overheated again. This worked for awhile. @ 126,000 miles, after numerous opinion, mechanics chemically analysed the coolant & found positive hydrocarbans, meaning oil leaking secondary to gasket leakin. When engine revved up, saw bubbles in the coolant reservoir. Just spent $1900 on mechanic labor to replace gaskets. Time to trade?

]]> Comment on Which head gasket is best for a Subaru? by Elise Bentley http://www.smart-service.com/blog/2010/03/which-head-gasket-is-best-for-a-subaru/comment-page-1#comment-1243 Elise Bentley Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:27:29 +0000 http://www.smart-service.com/blog/?p=128#comment-1243 Hi I am looking at purchasing a 2006 Impreza should I be worried about a head gasket leak in the future? Thanks Elise Hi

I am looking at purchasing a 2006 Impreza should I be worried about a head gasket leak in the future?

Thanks

Elise

]]> Comment on Making Head gaskets Last on my Subaru by Mike Corbin http://www.smart-service.com/blog/2009/09/prolonging-subaru-head-gaskets/comment-page-1#comment-1227 Mike Corbin Wed, 25 Aug 2010 06:26:09 +0000 http://www.smart-service.com/blog/?p=43#comment-1227 Hi Dan. I believe that price may well be within the reasonable range. To surface a Subaru engine block, the block must be fully disassembeled, all the way down to the crank. Once the case halves are empty, the machine shop can then resurface them. Take care, Mike Corbin Smart Service Independent Subaru Expert Hi Dan.

I believe that price may well be within the reasonable range. To surface a Subaru engine block, the block must be fully disassembeled, all the way down to the crank. Once the case halves are empty, the machine shop can then resurface them.

Take care,
Mike Corbin
Smart Service
Independent Subaru Expert

]]> Comment on Making Head gaskets Last on my Subaru by Dan http://www.smart-service.com/blog/2009/09/prolonging-subaru-head-gaskets/comment-page-1#comment-1218 Dan Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:30:54 +0000 http://www.smart-service.com/blog/?p=43#comment-1218 Mike, what's the price range for engine block of H6 outback resurfacing and how can i find machine shop who does the job? I got a quote for $750 and it seems too high. I am in San Francisco Bay area. Mike, what’s the price range for engine block of H6 outback resurfacing and how can i find machine shop who does the job?
I got a quote for $750 and it seems too high. I am in San Francisco Bay area.

]]> Comment on Making Head gaskets Last on my Subaru by Mike Corbin http://www.smart-service.com/blog/2009/09/prolonging-subaru-head-gaskets/comment-page-1#comment-1217 Mike Corbin Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:40:31 +0000 http://www.smart-service.com/blog/?p=43#comment-1217 Hi Morgan, First of all, if you do have a head gasket issue going on with your Subaru, it may not be worth putting the additional time and money into chasing down the other problems based on your budget. A simple test is to have someone with an exhaust emissions analyzer sniff the contents of the coolant recovery bottle and radiator for presence of hydrocarbons. If hydrocarbons are present then this confirms either a failed head gasket (most probable) or worse, a cracked head or block (unlikely). It may be the type of vehicle that makes sense to repair if you can do the work yourself but if you are paying a shop to do it all it may blow your budget. Good luck, Mike Corbin Smart Service Independent Subaru Expert Hi Morgan,

First of all, if you do have a head gasket issue going on with your Subaru, it may not be worth putting the additional time and money into chasing down the other problems based on your budget. A simple test is to have someone with an exhaust emissions analyzer sniff the contents of the coolant recovery bottle and radiator for presence of hydrocarbons.

If hydrocarbons are present then this confirms either a failed head gasket (most probable) or worse, a cracked head or block (unlikely).

It may be the type of vehicle that makes sense to repair if you can do the work yourself but if you are paying a shop to do it all it may blow your budget.

Good luck,
Mike Corbin
Smart Service
Independent Subaru Expert

]]> Comment on Making Head gaskets Last on my Subaru by Mike Corbin http://www.smart-service.com/blog/2009/09/prolonging-subaru-head-gaskets/comment-page-1#comment-1216 Mike Corbin Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:35:32 +0000 http://www.smart-service.com/blog/?p=43#comment-1216 I have not heard of an H6 leaking immediately after installing head gaskets. I agree with using the genuine Subaru head gaskets on that job and agree that they need to be installed with a perfectly clean surface and no sealant. The only idea that I may have about the oil leak is to question the condition of the surface of the engine block itself in the area that the leak develops if this round doesn't do the trick. Good luck, Mike Corbin Smart Service Independent Subaru Expert I have not heard of an H6 leaking immediately after installing head gaskets. I agree with using the genuine Subaru head gaskets on that job and agree that they need to be installed with a perfectly clean surface and no sealant.

The only idea that I may have about the oil leak is to question the condition of the surface of the engine block itself in the area that the leak develops if this round doesn’t do the trick.

Good luck,

Mike Corbin
Smart Service
Independent Subaru Expert

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