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2000 Forester L - leaky head gasket

I have a 2000 Forester L with just about 120,000 miles on it. I took the Subi into my local shop and was informed that the head gasket was leaking.

Makes sense to me.. as I noticed my coolant reservoir was running low about a month ago. I added some antifreeze to level it out.

Apparently not a serious leak, but cold weather is coming on, so it will likely get worse.

I was quoted $1,400 for materials and labor to fix the gasket and replace the belts. This sound fair?

The mechanic mentioned he did the same work on an Outback not too long before. Seems to be an issues with Subi's.

Any tips, advice?

BTW, this is my wife's car for local errands.. no longer using it to commute. So it sees low mileage.

Appreciated, G

Reply to
gary.weston
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Has your car had the "coolant conditioner" installed? If so then any HG weepage is covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles. If the HG is only weeping and the coolant conditioner has not been installed then put the conditioner in. The conditioner probably will stop any weepage and not require a HG replacement.

Reply to
Edward Hayes

ed, the car has " just 120 000 miles" on it best kd

Reply to
daszkiew2000

My suggestion stands if the HG is weeping and the conditioner has not been installed.

Reply to
Edward Hayes

Any more details on what the conditioner is, where it comes from and how much?

I know the dealer has it, but I don't like them and would prefer the option to add it after a radiator flush myself.

Reply to
Funkadyleik Spynwhanker

I may be due for conditioner. I'll pick up a bottle at my local Subie dealership and toss it in. Then cross fingers.

Reply to
gary.weston

I bought some of that stuff to end my own curiosity. It's just some re-branded stop-leak that comes in a very cute, little, blue Subaru bottle. Not sure the original brand though. It says to remove an amount of fluid from the radiator equal to the amount in the bottle, pour in, and voila, that's all. I believe it was 4.5 ounces, but I can't recall as I threw the bottle away.

~Brian

Reply to
strchild

The conditioner is made by HOTE in England and is a highly respected company. The conditioner is much finer grain than our Barr's etc local stuff. It will not clog cooling passages in small tube radiators if used as directed. I think I paid $2.50 for the small 250ml blue container.

Reply to
Edward Hayes

another head gasket leak? Thats hard to believe...it almost never happens to subies..as a matter of fact i've never heard it happening to the outback or legacy . Its always somethng else..stuck thernostat,you probably allowed it to overheat..maybe it was the waterpump

You must be part of that secret plot on the net that keeps making up these stories about blown subaru head gaskets

Reply to
bj

Heheh sounds like sarcasm to me :)

My local mechanic (not a Subie dealership mechanic) said he's worked on a number of Subie head gaskets. Outback and Legacy. I think this is his first Forester though.

Its an alien conspiracy! Thats it!

-G

bj wrote:

Reply to
gary.weston

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