Did something happen to Subaru? They used to be a go-to reliable brand, now all I hear is that they feel cheap, they are cheap, they leak, and the HGs are cardboard
*** V6 Head Gasket Action Request ***
- Thread starter morphious
- Start date
Did something happen to Subaru? They used to be a go-to reliable brand, now all I hear is that they feel cheap, they are cheap, they leak, and the HGs are cardboard
Wardbird
Member
Have you ever owned a Subaru? I have owned two of them and will never own another one. I have had several friends who owned Subarus. Every single one had a blown head gasket. It has been a problem for them for many years, across multiple generations of cars. The one on our Outback blew at 100k miles. I called Subaru and they said I had a high mileage car. I said they don't even call for a tune-up until 100k. They simply said they had a large base of loyal customers.
The last Subaru I had for 100k miles, besides the head gasket, had 6 CV axles go bad, never had a set of tires last over 20k miles (despite 5k rotations), an AC unit that they said had no issues but it never was consistently cold. The fabric on the seats permanently stained when water was spilled on them.
We sold ours right after getting the head gasket fixed. That was the last straw. We bought a Venza and have been happy with that.
ofcbarbrady
New member
2004 - 118,000 miles. Meticulously maintained. Check engine/VSC/traction lights came on about 2 weeks ago, hesitation at startup. Taken to the shop, def gasket leak causing #4 to misfire. I wish Toyota would acknowledge this shit like other issues:
Secondary Air Injection Pump Failure on V8's! Important!
Secondary Air Injection Pump Failure on V8's! Important!
Kennysmoke
Member
I'm going to check out and test drive an 06 today. So after reading this thread if the build date is 11/05 and later it should have the redesigned head gasket?
AuSeeker
Elite Member
I believe it's 12/05 and later.
YetiX
New member
Correct.
phatcheeks
New member
That sucks man. Hope you get it fixed soon. I have an 04 as well at 116k miles and no issues yet. I hate how like 90% of these head gasket issues are for 04
Leak suspected at 140,000 with water trickle sound behind dash upon startup and bubbles in coolant overflow tank from exhaust gases during cool down.
Blackstone oil analysis confirmed traces of coolant in oil.
Replaced head gasket myself at 150k - $1000 in parts and $200 for the machine shop. Leak at cyl 6 AND what looked like a very small leak between 1 and 3.
Bought the 4runner with 50,000mi and meticulously maintained for the past 100,000.
$1200 repair on a truck that's been paid off for the past 5 years is still better that a car payment... just need to talk the wife into trading the 08 for a TRD offroad...
Blackstone oil analysis confirmed traces of coolant in oil.
Replaced head gasket myself at 150k - $1000 in parts and $200 for the machine shop. Leak at cyl 6 AND what looked like a very small leak between 1 and 3.
Bought the 4runner with 50,000mi and meticulously maintained for the past 100,000.
$1200 repair on a truck that's been paid off for the past 5 years is still better that a car payment... just need to talk the wife into trading the 08 for a TRD offroad...
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hammersc
New member
05 V6
2wd Ltd
180k mi
Purchased 2/'05 new
No overheating or leaks
Week or two ago started the water flow noise/shimmy on start up with the 3 dash warning lights illuminating. Went away a few days later, came back this past weekend. It's in the shop as we speak getting the diagnosis formally done. Don't want to get rid of her since we had to replace my wife's car in January ('19 Forester Touring). We shall see. Hoping for not horrible news.
2wd Ltd
180k mi
Purchased 2/'05 new
No overheating or leaks
Week or two ago started the water flow noise/shimmy on start up with the 3 dash warning lights illuminating. Went away a few days later, came back this past weekend. It's in the shop as we speak getting the diagnosis formally done. Don't want to get rid of her since we had to replace my wife's car in January ('19 Forester Touring). We shall see. Hoping for not horrible news.
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YetiX
New member
When was yours built?
cpayne5
New member
I got mine from Conicelli Toyota. partznet.com
Heade gasket sealers - Bars leak
2005 SR5 2wd
145,000 miles
runs perfect / tranny too
no HC issues
no white foam in oil cap
no overheats
SAME THERMOSTAT AND wp
coolant levels has been same for last 15 year
I drain radiator every 8 months and add
Zerex asian (says for Toyota on the gallon) red coolant (150,000 long life / GUARANTEED) for Toyotas on the gallon jug
Temp range where I live is 60 F in winter 95 F in summer
no exhaust bubbles in coolant
oil conventional 10W 40 (every 4500 miles)
Scott Kilmer with 50 years mechanic experience on cars says he's used HC sealers (like Bars Leak) for decades. YouTube
His net worth is estimated at $15M:sniper:
2005 SR5 2wd
145,000 miles
runs perfect / tranny too
no HC issues
no white foam in oil cap
no overheats
SAME THERMOSTAT AND wp
coolant levels has been same for last 15 year
I drain radiator every 8 months and add
Zerex asian (says for Toyota on the gallon) red coolant (150,000 long life / GUARANTEED) for Toyotas on the gallon jug
Temp range where I live is 60 F in winter 95 F in summer
no exhaust bubbles in coolant
oil conventional 10W 40 (every 4500 miles)
Scott Kilmer with 50 years mechanic experience on cars says he's used HC sealers (like Bars Leak) for decades. YouTube
His net worth is estimated at $15M:sniper:
Last edited:
kcdehart
New member
Welp, mine's at the shop and they can't find any issues. Compression is fine, it's not misfiring (naturally. It was doing it every morning and evening after work for me.....), the cylinder is dry.
What was it that made anyone else's shop determine that the issue was their headgasket?
What was it that made anyone else's shop determine that the issue was their headgasket?
The Yin
Member
Mine had the waterfall sound on startup for over a year. Then on a road trip though Az it started to over heat when stopped. I was able to add some coolant (level dropped low) and was good to make it home to SD.
Took it to the dealer and they ran a test on the coolant system and found Emission gases. Wanted a second opinion so I bought a test kit and tested it myself, got the same results.
I would have gone on forever with the waterfall sound, but once it over heated I didn't want to take my chances.
kcdehart
New member
I've got the waterfall sound, as well. We'll see. He said the'd run some more tests on it. Hopefully they can find *something*.
The Yin
Member
Way late update
Just noticing I never posted my failure details here (had it replaced last year).
@120k miles
2005, 2wd
Unknown Manufacture date
Had waterfall sound, over heated (once), tested and found emission gas in coolant (twice).
I've put 16k miles on since with no issues. Had the work done at an independent shop in San Diego. Total work cost $2500.
Just noticing I never posted my failure details here (had it replaced last year).
@120k miles
2005, 2wd
Unknown Manufacture date
Had waterfall sound, over heated (once), tested and found emission gas in coolant (twice).
I've put 16k miles on since with no issues. Had the work done at an independent shop in San Diego. Total work cost $2500.
Slowgoat
New member
I don’t endorse this site but it’s an article with great info:
How to Test for a Blown Head Gasket in Under 15 Minutes
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