How reliable is replacement head gasket?

Based on everything I have read, the Subaru head gasket design on these is crap, and a replaced OEM gasket is quite likely to have the same problems.

The next time it's due, give it an aftermarket gasket, and yer likely to be in good shape from there on out.

Just be happy your first one was replaced on their dime. I wasn't quite so lucky as mine tested bad at 107k. But at least I have an aftermarket one now, which supposedly is a good thing. Time will tell I suppose.

google subaru head gasket and there's a blog chock full of more info than you want.

Best regards,

-- Todd H.

We have a similar car of a slightly earlier vintage, which went 80,000mi before the gasket blew. I did a lot of research on it at the time, and the consensus seemed to be:

• The genuine replacement gasket is much better
• The problem is really with the open head design
• It's quite difficult to bleed all the air out of the engine
• The gaskets fail due to local overheating where the air bubble sits
• You'll hear it gurgling on switch-off if it isn't bled right.

The upshot is:

• if you have the original gasket, and your engine is *always* bled correctly, the gasket won't fail prematurely,
• if you have a replacement gasket, you have better chances of surviving poor bleeding,
• you should ensure that your mechanic knows the correct procedure, knows that you know it too, and will blame them *and make them fix it* if the gasket blows after they've serviced it.
• There's some reason to consider tapping a small tube into the cross-over pipe that carries coolant from one side of the engine to the other, and running that tube to the top of the radiator, to make the engine self-bleeding from the highest point.

We haven't added this bleed tube, but the car has survived a further 25,000mi so far.

Clifford Heath.

The dealer should have replaced the 1 piece head gasket(s) with an updated 3 piece metal gasket that appears to be bullet proof, and you should have no more head gasket issues. Typically it is the left side gasket that leaks coolant externally, and usually that is all you will get replaced under warranty. Change coolant every 30K and you're good to go. The original head gaskets were single layer metal with a coating of carbon/polymer that would erode away, allowing either an internal coolant leak into a cylinder, or more commonly an external leak appearing at the rear lower part of the head. It is a drag that something so simple as gasket material causes so many problems.

Are you sure you're not confusing the DOHC gasket problem with the SOHC one? IIRC, the DOHC fails by blowing exhaust gases into the coolant, which comes out the overflow pipe. The SOHC is the one that tends to have the external leak.

do you remember what is name of brand/supplier?

Never told, but it was aftermarket upon my request. Sorry.

-- Todd H.

You're right, the DOHC gasket failure tends to allow combustion into the cooling system where it causes a big air bubble and blows coolant out the reservoir and engine overheats, etc. The SOHC gasket does usually leak externally, but I have seen some that were leaking internally and causing those same symptoms. Worza's initial question is dealing with the SOHC engine. In either case, the original gaskets were single layer metal with coating; replacement gaskets were 3 layer metal.

My 2000 Outback has the SOHC engine and the head gasket was replaced at 69,800 miles. I am just seeking any experience or opinions on whether the replacement head gasket engine is a cure the problem with the SOHC 2.5L 4-cylinder engine or is just a band-aid and the car will likely need another head gasket replaced after 60 to 80K miles.

Ok, thanks - it was me who wrongly assumed that he had a DOHC engine like ours. Hopefully my comments will help some DOHC owner :-).

Clifford Heath.