You have saved me so much time and effort with my outback, 02 ez30. Shes 2nd hand and has so many dumb issues but i used your advice from the earlier videos and bought her because her engine is sweet, her body is not. Thank you for this and please dont stop making vids. Your a life saver
Mine 02 h6 has 390k kms tho i had to remove engine and total reseal due to head gasket at 270k kms. Im in australia, i removed thromostat, as not needed here, no overheating and big full aluminium aftermarket radiator. I inspected everypart for wear- none, using penrite full synthetic and subaru filters.
This was never covered in my trade schools. This needs to be in the curriculum. Covers all motors not just Subaru. Excellent care with descriptions. Reading comment sections with great review on the methods I learned as well.
Your are the GOD of Subarus I know I go by your every rule! Although another thing believe it or not that can pool oil on top is a oil pressure sensor/switch, my moms 2012 Outback SOHC EJ25 just hit 125,000 miles and head gaskets went out like my 2008 went at 110k. Anyways about 7k miles after I changed her head gaskets she came by I did a once over and notice a nice pool of oil. Turns out the sensor in front of the EJ25 stamp can leak a considerable amount of oil if not looking at your engine enough. Just wanted to add that, but like I said your the Subaru GOD! Have a good day everyone!
Wish I had seen this video in May... I got screwed. Mom&Pop sold me a blown head gasket. I looked at the car pretty well - but didn't know how to find the telltales. Now have a motor on a stand and heads getting decked. First engine pull - Mr Subaru is a HUGE help with the engine rebuild. Thank you!
that's happened to me as well with a 2007 Subaru legacy B4... there is oil all over the engine. I saw it just after buying the car and now no one want's to buy it...
Thank you so much for this! Totally just saved me from buying a blown 2003 Subaru Outback 3.0. Radiator hoses all held on by worm clams and looked like they were about to blow up after a test drive. Everything seemed super clean and well maintained on the surface, but that engine was a ticking time bomb.
You are not kidding about people keeping their old cars . A customer with a 2002 outback wanted a timing belt job, all coolant hoses, radiator, drive belts, a/c compressor and related components,clutch/ flywheel and cv axles... it also needed a new wheel bearing/spindle due to a seized cv axle... oh yeah and a ball joint...
@@AmericansikkuntI agree. It's a lot of work for sure, probably a few grand, but the bones of the car are fine and at the end of the day it's probably cheaper than a new one. I've had to replace the whole transmission on my car before, a couple grand on its own, and it was still worth it in my opinion because it lasted many thousands of miles longer and I was able to use the vehicle to work and make money.
Oh, I’m absolutely sick. I’m 78 Your old woman from Florida and just bought a used 2003 Forrester. Shortly after bringing it home the AC stopped working. I looked it up on TH-cam and found your channel. Then I found your “don’t get burned” video. That’s why I’m so sick. It smells like burning oil. I already put almost all of my money into it. Now I feel like such a fool.
Thanks! I went to see a 2008 Forester with 145K miles. The owner said it leaked some oil. I opened the oil fill cap and noticed it had a little coolant in there. I passed on it as they wanted pretty much premium for private party sale and I would have to pay $$$ for a head gasket replacement. Thanks for your videos!
Watching the used subaru guides over and over before buying mine, settled on a 09 outback 2.5 limited! Shortblock replacement 3 months before with 60k on the block, with receipts. Upon inspection I noticed replaceable parts i could do myself and told the wife to drive it as well and see what she thought, we agreed the motor and transmission were good and bought it. 40k well used miles and back to back driving it's still my go to vehicle for anything! Maintain these things and they are great cars
Thank You!! Sir. I am a BIG!! Subi Fan. I am keeping it until it, simply, can no longer go. I now have 217,000 miles and it still looks new! Inside and OUT! I do all the work on it myself and I always go the extra Mile on any repair job -which doesn’t happens often.
@Ari Campos well, it is running very well. Of course, I don't launch from traffic light to traffic light. Such is the norm for most Californian society. I am very mechanically inclined, and I care for most of all our cars. My Subi needs very little care.
My granddaughter has a 2015 Legacy and I found your sight looking for ways to keep her vehicle maintained and I have to say I am very pleased by your knowledge and willingness to share. I myself have Toyota’s but I am learning towards Subaru for any future purchases. People like you and the Car Care Nut are a rare bread. Keep up the good work I enjoy your videos.
Very helpful, I wish I knew about this before buying my wife's Crosstrek, we ended do an engine swap within the first year of owning it. Had blown head gaskets.
You can look between the head and block at the top of the engine and a small portion of the gasket protrudes and you can see if it’s a single layer or multi layer
God bless you sir you're definitely doing the Lord's work with these informational videos. I just bought a 2009 Forester and everything checks out thank you
I absolutely loved my Subaru Outback once it was repaired. I'm actually watching your video because I'm considering another used Subie after my Nissan was destroyed. When I got my Outback, the headgasket was blown, and the shady seller successfully fooled me. I looked for fluid leaks. I looked for signs of exhaust in the coolant, and coolant in the oil. What this jackbutt did change all the fluids, cleaned the block, and stick it in the showroom. I was a bit naive to think putting it in the show room was a good sign.
I was recently looking at a used outback. Had my master subaru tech look at it. Cam cases were leaking oil. He said major repair because engine has to come out. I was a former master tech myself but 25 years ago. I used to do loyale cam cases in the car. So many things have changed.
My Subie is in the shop right now getting his head gaskets done again at 215,000 miles. I got combustion pressure that would keep my overflow full, not the other way. I think I caught this early. I've always pulled over quickly when I would see the temperature gauge rise; I'm a gauge watcher from being a helicopter pilot in the past. I never had the pressure that your poor car has. This is as usual a very informative video. I am learning tons of info! Thanks!
I looked at a 2007 Outback today, 118,000 miles. Started car, popped hood. Turn flash light on, and immediately smell the unmistakable waft of burning coolant, and you could see the smoke, ever so slightly, coming from the right cylinder head. Pulled cap on coolant reservoir and it was darn near empty. Shut the car off and brought keys back to salesman….Thanks, but I’ll pass! So thank you very much Mr.Subaru. You saved me such a huge headache!
Me, my dad & my brother, all used to buy a good bit of cars at auctions all over the south, and we checked the cars out, front to back, and we all had a job, mine was to make sure it hadn't been repainted, and I checked the tires and my brother checked the interior, we didn't buy cars from any of the rental companies bc they are all dogged out & have burns, dents, ect. But we noticed that other buyers would watch us, & bid on the cars we bid on bc they knew we checked the mess out of any car we bought!
first thing I do when I look at a used Subaru is open the radiator cap and start the car, and look for the nice stream of bubbles that indicates exhaust gasses coming into the cooling system. Also pulling off the timing inspection cover can tell a story itself. If you're buying a car with just under 180-190K miles and the belt looks brand new, and there's marker markings on the timing marks, a big engine job was likely done recently.
Yes, I would like to know more too. Do the markings indicate that the belt is new and work has been done or that more work needs to be done and or that it may have more underline issues with the engine?
If I had watched this video before I bought my Subaru Forester I would have caught all of this. After 1 month of owning it I had all these symptoms. I ended up buying a whole brand new OEM long block and pretty much everything else and rebuilt it. Very good video!
Head gasket replacement is certainly a good way to get intimate with your Subaru. Just finished this on a 2005 Outback I bought for $1000. Learned a lot. Thanks for sharing your knowledge! One thing that is not mentioned much is the rust that can be hidden behind the body panels. I ended up replacing the driver's side rocker and part of the back of it at the rear. Huge job as I had to make it all. The utility knife blade use for scrapping the block and head was great info too. The original gasket just fell out, so I just had little scraping to do. I have about $3500 just in parts in the Outback now and its almost ready to safety. Quite a bit more than I was anticipating but am looking forward to enjoying the AWD this winter.
Thank you for passing on Subaru expert knowledge We are loyal to the brand but skeptical of repair garages. It helps calling BS on technitions. 2003 Legacy 320,000 traded for 2001 Forester 380,000 still solid execpt rust in rear panels over wheels. Help us with rust! My only complaint with Subaru. Dave
Good mechanics, people like this guy, are invaluable. They understand things the average person doesn't. I have done whatever I can with my car maintenance. Usually do my own brakes, oil changes, changed radiators, changed starters and even rebuilt a carburetor . These pros understand things beyond that.
I recently watched your video to educate myself on what to look for as I was going to look at a used 2004 Forester with only 75,000 miles and literally driven by an old lady. The car was in mint condition. But… EVERYTHING you said to watch out for, including the hot and cold radiator hoses, was present on this engine. Oil on top, oil and coolant on the cross member. Walked. Thank you👍
we buy them from copart all the time listed as "mechanical". more often than not is it the HGs or blown engine. head gaskets should not be a big deal for a used car dealer. it is pretty much routine maintenance on an EJ25. its a few hundred in parts and $100 at the machine shop. it is also a huge plus to be able to tell the buyer the car has new head gaskets and timing belt as most subaru buyers around here are well aware of the issues.
that does depend on a number of factors. most independent lots partner with a shop, it seems, and that shop would still charge them a chunk for such a repair. Fewer and fewer lots want the trouble of the overhead of a shop, the staff, other costs, etc etc. While to you it makes perfect sense to add a value prospect to a car you want to flip, the reality tends to bear out that the lot just passes on it, or gets it by accident and then does the unethical in the as-is sale just to move the inventory, rather than either budge on the price(in my case) or actually service it.
@@themadmallard most retail dealers in my state are also a shop. as any car sold with a temp tag has to pass NH state inspection. dealers generally have some knowledge about the cars they are bidding on and should be factoring in an HG job into bidding price. these cars dont bring alot at the auction anyway. i mean shit i just bought an 2011 Impreza clean title mechanical my winning bid was $400 - with fees and delivery it was $795. we bought 4 2009-2010 Foresters this year all under 2k out the door. that leaves plenty of meat on the bone for what ever repairs they require
@@volks-jager i agree it should, and it sounds like there's some statutory things different in your locality that lay such a groundwork, but not all other states have an inspection of any kind. Are you a shop, too? Not putting you on the spot, but there are also statutory interferences that probably affect things. Some states explicitly outlaw the private sale of a vehicle for profit if you aren't a dealership(including biz license, biz address, etc etc)
Sleazy dealers is right. I bought a 2001 Subaru Legacy L and figured I'd have to do some PM on it. I took the side cover off to look at the Timing Belt and to my surprise it was new. So new fluids front to back, new front CV shafts and I was happy. 6 months later on new years the engine blew on my way home from a trip. The temp gauge and sensor weren't working right but no code. Had a mechanic pull the motor. The dealer had but a new timing belt on but had not compressed the tensioner correctly so it wasn't pressing on the belt to turn the water pump at the speed it was supposed to. So I got a engine light flashing going up a hill and when I was at a light hoping to roll down hill into a place to park it. The engine let go at the light. I've learned a lot more since then. Still have the car I really like it. But now I keep getting a flashing AT Temp Light when the car gets to normal temps. The only code I have is for a minor EVAP leak. Really struggling with this one. Mechanical stuff I'm real good at but electronic issues can stump me good.
Excellent video by the way, but basically don't buy one of these used due to the head gasket failures that are common. Unless you have proof they have gotten it professionally repaired in the past.
Very professional. Great video. I strive to be like you. Just need more experience, I’ve been a tech for about 5 years (Zero prior experience I came in blind) and I’ve learned so much but there’s still lots more to learn. I’m thinking of buying a used Subaru with a head gasket issue so that I can do that kind of work and learn hands on (timing components etc.)
I'm new to your videos. Thank you for what you do. Just purchased 2012 Outback base model w 98K miles. Having local mechanic check it out though supposedly timing belt and many other things have been already replaced. Fingers crossed it was all done properly. Will check your other videos and thank you for your expertise!
Just bought a 2012 liberty gt and used your advise on my inspection. With Full service history.After having it a few days I noticed a faint oil smell and coolant usage. No crossed fluids or oil leakage on outside of engine yet. Car has 181xxxkms on it. So head gasket is absolutely on its was out. Luckily replacing the head gaskets is work I can do myself and will enjoy it. Thank you so much for this clip,has alerted me to the early warning signs for this engine
Thank you for your concise videos. I’ve just been gifted a 2002 Outback sedan with the 3.0 H6. 178K, one owner, maintained with records, clean, complete and running Texas car. But…, head gasket is leaking and it needs brakes and axles. I’m mechanically capable for brakes and axles but I’m not sure if I want to try the head gaskets. Your videos have already been a big help in seeing what I’ve got to work with, thanks again.
I bought my 08 Outback from my son in law with 102k. He had just done the head gasket recall. The car has been perfect for years until one night the radiator blew a hole next to the upper neck. Totally out of the blue. Long story short, I have none of the classic HD issues, no oil in coolant, no coolant in oil, nothing coming out of exhaust. After replacing the radiator, and coil, it kept overheating. Same exact problem you mentioned here. Tstat not opening. Finally got a Subaru Tstat and all is well. Seemingly. I hear gurgling in the heater core when I start it. This is at 178k on it. Love this car and hope I can trust it again…
I'm all about giving the dealership the benefit of the doubt, but 4 seperate lots unrelated I shopped in the late 2010s 4 different models. had a mechanic looking at each of them and all had a major mechanical issue. Not a single one of them would budge their asking price when I shared what the mechanic found. Not.a.one. Anecdotally, the rep is earned not by a small percentage who don't know mechanicals. Its earned by predatory and jerky sales/business practices, regardless of the mechanical matters.
1993 Jeep. Just wrapping up new control arm bushings and track bar. Well.. JEEP.. Just Empty Every Pocket. :D As for used from small dealers (and those no-credit places) I always tell folks to check the transmission fluid, oil, and coolant. If anything looks like fix-it-goo then walk away. And if they have a problem letting you take it to your mechanic for a check, run.
I wish I had this video a few months back. I am a Subaru Baja enthusiast and found a 2003 Baja Base model a few hours away for a decent price. I decided to pull the trigger and buy it since it is a hard find. A few weeks after bringing her home and changing the oil/coolant, I discovered a coolant leak right where you say the exhaust manifold gets dripped on by oil. I thought this coolant leak would be no issue to fix and would bide my time until I can have it properly diagnosed, as the leak was small. The car was not overheating. One day, after driving for a short distance, I discovered some smoke coming from the underside of the vehicle. Yep, the smoke was from the brand new, less viscous oil dripping from the location of the heads onto the exhaust manifold. After that run in, I parked it since. Subaru dealership says $2000 to replace the head gaskets, $2500 to replace the head gaskets, water pump, timing belt, and seals all at once. Please do your research people! And thank you Mr. Subaru for bringing this to public knowledge. I also need to deal with the common dogleg rust issue, does anyone have a recommendation before next winter hits and the rust gets worse? Thank you.
As a side note, I found exhaust gases are keeping the coolant system pressurized even as the car is shut off. Pulling the radiator cap off cold results in a lil bit of coolant erupting from the top.
Bought a used subaru with 110 k miles which they told me all the maint had been done. There was no sticker for the timing belt change..... The more I thought about it the more I realized they probably hadn't done the belt. I followed Mr. Subaru recommendation for timing belt and water pump. It was worth the peace of mind. He knows these cars.
Another thing to check for which will indicate a head gasket problem is to go behind the car and smell the exhaust as the engine is running. If the exhaust smells kinda sweet like anti-freeze, this means that coolant is getting into the combustion chamber and the head gaskets are likely going. Just saw this on an 04 Forester I looked at the other day which the owner said was losing coolant and needed regular top-ups.
Looked at 4 subaru foresters over the weekend. They all had at least one of these issues, including but not limited to, watered down coolant (leaking but they just top it up with water), oil dripping from bottom of headgasket (especially on the side where the oil filter is) and cleaned up stains on driveway XP
I am a paintless dent repair business owner and technician. I fixed a few dents on a guy's Grand Cherokee and Silverado. Instead of paying me cash, he gave me a 2009 Subaru Legacy in great condition, except it needs a head gasket. I can perform all the repairs myself and I figured I will have less than $1000 in parts, which includes a Fel Pro head gasket replacement gasket kit and a water pump and timing belt replacement kit, which includes new belt tensioner, idler pullies, and drive sprocket. I am hoping to drive the car for quite a few years. It gets twice the fuel mileage as my Jeep. It should pay for itself in about a year, considering how much I spend per year for fuel in my Jeep.
I just bought an 06 Forester for my kids. I looked for over a year and I think* I found the right one. Has records for the HG being replaced. Videos like this really help me out. Now off to find one to teach me how to do the window motor. Thank you for a very informative and helpful video!
@@pamelavance648 I ended up calling the local body shop and they did it for around 100 bucks of labor - I think the motor/assembly was 50-75 bucks??. Basically less than an hour of shop time. I figured those guys do this kind of thing all the time and I was right. FWIW I did watch this video and was going to attempt it. In the end I watch this video which made is seem a little frustrating which reinforced calling a shop. FWIW it's probably easier to just replace the entire system vs. just the motor. th-cam.com/video/dI1YAVNT-x0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=qumRg-VebpJac99W
Excellent advice on the symptoms to check for excess pressure in the cooling system and oil leaks. My 135k used purchased Subie has a bad cat converter which had the codes cleared, and the annoying clicking vent noise - thankfully no oil leaks!
My 2013 Outback kept having catalytic converter warning lights. After much angst and no help from Subaru an exhaust guy said buy a new fuel cap. Guess what? That was a year ago. Not had a warning light since. No need for a new cat as I feared. The Outback has now done 260,000 kilometres.
@@graemebdh2172 Thank you, I did that too, along with 3 treatments of Cataclean, and changing the sensors, my mechanic said it’s ok to drive, replace the cat when you want to at $900, gulp.
Thank you for receiving visual things to point out. Genuinely wish I knew about your videos a lot sooner because I'm learning a lot of stuff the hard way.
Fabulous video like all your videos, I have to admit without knowing better I replaced the spring clamps with screw type clamps. I have to admit then i always had problems with the hoses weeping after the car was turned off . Constantly trying to tighten up those screw clamps. Should have kept the original clamps. (2011 impreza btw) One other question for a future video. You mentioned that you could visibly see what an original head gasket looks like vs the newer type MLS head gaskets. Maybe you could show that in a future video or maybe even one of those "shorts". Great video once again.
Exactly what happened to me!! Dealer said he fixed them on all his suburus. Everything else was new fixed. So why would it not be! Guy has great reviews as honest. Smh
This is one really good video. I have 2 Legacys. One 2.0 liter from 1999 and one 3.0R from 2007. I´ll do this check today to see if there is any presigns for this problem. Thanks a lot for this channel! /Jesper (Sweden).
me out here keeping my 97" impreza GT with 260k Miles alive and in shape all because of people like u. i just want to stop by and say thank u for the content u make Greatings from switzerland
Another great video, I just finished a steering pump replacement, transmission flush, and differential service on my '06 Outback XT following along your guidance. I wish I had seen this video in 2020, because I think I might have gotten burned (I've been discovering a lot of the symptoms you described here). Thank you for all the info and how-to's. Any advice is welcome : )
Thank you for such a concise well presented video. Stay well. You have prevented me from being the king of wishful thinking and poorer for the experience.
The only Subaru I've owned which was reliable, was an old Legacy wagon with the 2.2 motor. The car literally rotted away and collapsed, but the engine still ran like a clock, and the automatic transmission still shifted smoothly. Newer Subarus I 've owned, with the 2.5 motor, were nightmares. Engine issues, transmission issues, and brake problems. Now I drive an old Camry, and don't have to worry about being ambushed by a Subaru.
Great tips here Mr. Subaru! Would love to see a video on Subaru road trip preparation as I'm about to travel across the country to my first duty station in my 07 Forester. 😬
Got an opportunity to grab a 2011 Legacy 2.5 I 4d sedan. 129k for around $5500. Opinion on that year and model? One of the best and most honest/ informative channels out there! Thank you for what you offer!!!
I am the original owner of a 2012 2.5 Outback, I take excellent care of the car to its 120,000 miles. Just last month it overheated on a trip, cracked the radiator, blew the top hose off. The independent shop replaced the radiator, hose, and yes it’s a worm gasket. All Subaru Super Coolant……no issues for a couple of months then, over heated again. Shut it down to cool off, no issues. They say they pressure tested it again….. replace the thermostat….. I’d love to know for sure which head gaskets this EJ has since it’s right on the line.
Believe me, I know the feeling 2010 Subaru Forester engine replacement after 1 year of owning it at 190,000 Mi and almost $10,000 in repairs not just from the engine even some suspension components. And mind, you the last previous owner who did service on this particular car was the second month of 2021 and oil change was on the 5th month of 2021.
Well im a unfortunate one that did get suckered. Bought a 2013 outback. Looked great. All shiny , didnt smoke. It started using a quart of oil in about 250 miles. Then noticed a black coolant container resevoir. Finally lost comoression on cylinder#3. 8k spent on this car. And now it needs a head gasket at least. 😢.
I just busted a local Toyota dealership selling a 2016 Forrester get left Hampton New Jersey red it wound up in Winnipeg Manitoba purple it had a fake provincial safety and when I questioned the salesman he asked me if I was bullying him I’m a 30 year mechanic Government We don’t work that hard but anyway thank you because I picked it apart because of your videos thank you I watch the nightly
Hello Mr Subaru i like i like your channel alot, you are straightforward and to the point allways,.. anyway I just want to say I'm happy to report, that I have the upgraded mode with the double layer steel head gaskets, i have the 2012 impreza premium hatchback with the 6-speed paddle shifter CVT trans made japan,.. love this car does not burn a drop of oil and I do alot of City driving mostly,.. i want to thank you for the tip on the PCV valve, I changed that and that's probably why i'm getting 24 to 26 mpg city and 35 to 39 highway.. i love this car !!!,.. i change you all as soon as it gets dark regardless of how long it's been or how many milesI, i go by the look of the oil,.. same with the plugs.... Thanks again mr Subaru keep doing what you doing, My friend....
Good story about car dealers. I once bought a Chrysler Alpine from a main Chrysler dealer and asked him a very simple question, How many BHP does it produce. He didn't know!
How not to get super-screwed When buying a Subaru. My Baja has 211k miles. Just going to run it through the inspection sticker date. Northeast cars are parts cars with that mileage. Road salt rots out the undercarriage. I got my money's worth! 👍
When I was a teenager my friend had a brat, I think that's what the Baja was based off of I might be wrong but that thing surprised bout everyone at the places he took it. Until he finally busted the oil pan on a rock lmao
Great video. That's valuable knowledge and it's easy to understand and perform a first check if your thinking of buying. Then get a mechanic to look at the one that passes this first inspection.
My 93 K1500 blazer is a treat. I can fix and drive in the great state of Maine when the commute is viable. Tows alot for a sub 200hp motor with stock hd stuff. Nice rig. Obviously, 30 plus year old stuff needs to be replaced. A Toyota Camry is a great commuter, but they have no soul. The Subaru I'm currently driving is noisy, rather uncomfortable and compromised in many ways. Traction is not one. This will probably be my first and Iast Subaru. AWD tech is widespread and more readily available. Not to say the Bu can't handle it, but what are Hoonigans using?.
The summary list of things to check at the end of this video is great, do you have a video which shows the specific checks to do between the cylinder head and the block? I’m about to view my third outback this week, the first two were complete lemons, one of which overheated and dumped oil on the test drive.
The hose pushing off & other issues mentioned are certainly things to watch for; but I wouldn't get suspicious just because spring hose clamps have been replaced with worm drive. At least around here, right now, stainless steel worm drive clamps are a lot cheaper then spring steel. Had to replace several clamps along with some stiff hoses as they were not in good shape. One of them the tabs broke off when squeezing it to remove it & had to hacksaw the stupid thing off.
Believe it or not, I have an 08 Impreza OB sport with 247,000+ miles with original head gaskets. I've owned since new and have only used Mobil 1 and never beat the car. It has been a great car since day 1 in August 2008.
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I’m a former Mechanic
and a Subaru owner…
I very much enjoy your channel!
I am in a committed relationship with my 2003 Camry thank-you-very-much.
"I love what you do for me, Toyota!!!"
(Proud owner of a 94 SC300, best vehicle I've ever owned)
Great points about the small garages, dealerships, and tool sellers. Their knowledge can be very very limited. Good diagnosis example.
Listen to him peeps.....he definitely is all over the Subaru game! Thanks again for great things to look out for in the used Subaru buying market.
You have saved me so much time and effort with my outback, 02 ez30. Shes 2nd hand and has so many dumb issues but i used your advice from the earlier videos and bought her because her engine is sweet, her body is not. Thank you for this and please dont stop making vids. Your a life saver
You're welcome!
O4 ez30 here lots of help keep it up
@@MrSubaru1387 more ea82 and EJ22 videos !!!
Forester 2010?
Mine 02 h6 has 390k kms tho i had to remove engine and total reseal due to head gasket at 270k kms. Im in australia, i removed thromostat, as not needed here, no overheating and big full aluminium aftermarket radiator. I inspected everypart for wear- none, using penrite full synthetic and subaru filters.
This was never covered in my trade schools. This needs to be in the curriculum. Covers all motors not just Subaru. Excellent care with descriptions. Reading comment sections with great review on the methods I learned as well.
Your are the GOD of Subarus I know I go by your every rule! Although another thing believe it or not that can pool oil on top is a oil pressure sensor/switch, my moms 2012 Outback SOHC EJ25 just hit 125,000 miles and head gaskets went out like my 2008 went at 110k. Anyways about 7k miles after I changed her head gaskets she came by I did a once over and notice a nice pool of oil. Turns out the sensor in front of the EJ25 stamp can leak a considerable amount of oil if not looking at your engine enough. Just wanted to add that, but like I said your the Subaru GOD! Have a good day everyone!
Wish I had seen this video in May... I got screwed. Mom&Pop sold me a blown head gasket. I looked at the car pretty well - but didn't know how to find the telltales. Now have a motor on a stand and heads getting decked. First engine pull - Mr Subaru is a HUGE help with the engine rebuild. Thank you!
that's happened to me as well with a 2007 Subaru legacy B4... there is oil all over the engine. I saw it just after buying the car and now no one want's to buy it...
Thank you so much for this! Totally just saved me from buying a blown 2003 Subaru Outback 3.0. Radiator hoses all held on by worm clams and looked like they were about to blow up after a test drive. Everything seemed super clean and well maintained on the surface, but that engine was a ticking time bomb.
You are not kidding about people keeping their old cars . A customer with a 2002 outback wanted a timing belt job, all coolant hoses, radiator, drive belts, a/c compressor and related components,clutch/ flywheel and cv axles... it also needed a new wheel bearing/spindle due to a seized cv axle... oh yeah and a ball joint...
sounds like where i am at plus more for keeping a stock 2.5i on the road xD
Is that really so bizarre?
That seems like some basic maintenance to me,
but I don’t know people’s car buying habits
What's wrong with that?
Lots of gravy!
@@AmericansikkuntI agree. It's a lot of work for sure, probably a few grand, but the bones of the car are fine and at the end of the day it's probably cheaper than a new one. I've had to replace the whole transmission on my car before, a couple grand on its own, and it was still worth it in my opinion because it lasted many thousands of miles longer and I was able to use the vehicle to work and make money.
Oh, I’m absolutely sick. I’m 78 Your old woman from Florida and just bought a used 2003 Forrester. Shortly after bringing it home the AC stopped working. I looked it up on TH-cam and found your channel. Then I found your “don’t get burned” video. That’s why I’m so sick. It smells like burning oil. I already put almost all of my money into it. Now I feel like such a fool.
You have to be extra diligent in Florida. There is an entire industry built on feeding on the elderly.
Thanks! I went to see a 2008 Forester with 145K miles. The owner said it leaked some oil. I opened the oil fill cap and noticed it had a little coolant in there. I passed on it as they wanted pretty much premium for private party sale and I would have to pay $$$ for a head gasket replacement. Thanks for your videos!
Watching the used subaru guides over and over before buying mine, settled on a 09 outback 2.5 limited! Shortblock replacement 3 months before with 60k on the block, with receipts. Upon inspection I noticed replaceable parts i could do myself and told the wife to drive it as well and see what she thought, we agreed the motor and transmission were good and bought it. 40k well used miles and back to back driving it's still my go to vehicle for anything! Maintain these things and they are great cars
Why was the engine replaced with so few miles on it?
@@JBlinky67 old motor blew a gasket and took the mains out, short block came out of a salvaged car
My 09 just started smoking from the hood,
Excellent recap of the visible symptoms that add up to a 99% diagnosis. Thanks for sharing the benefit of your vast accumulation of knowledge.
Thank You!! Sir. I am a BIG!! Subi Fan. I am keeping it until it, simply, can no longer go. I now have 217,000 miles and it still looks new! Inside and OUT! I do all the work on it myself and I always go the extra Mile on any repair job -which doesn’t happens often.
how's it holding up, i'm currently doing the same on mine!
@Ari Campos well, it is running very well. Of course, I don't launch from traffic light to traffic light. Such is the norm for most Californian society. I am very mechanically inclined, and I care for most of all our cars. My Subi needs very little care.
@Ari Campos In fact!! I rarely do more than simply check the oil and visit a service center for normal servicing. My Subi.. is magnificent!
Would you do one side only
My granddaughter has a 2015 Legacy and I found your sight looking for ways to keep her vehicle maintained and I have to say I am very pleased by your knowledge and willingness to share. I myself have Toyota’s but I am learning towards Subaru for any future purchases. People like you and the Car Care Nut are a rare bread. Keep up the good work I enjoy your videos.
Very helpful, I wish I knew about this before buying my wife's Crosstrek, we ended do an engine swap within the first year of owning it. Had blown head gaskets.
I'd like to see how to visually identify the different head gaskets.
Yeah me too man.
Likewise. I don't know anything about cars.
Excellent information
You can look between the head and block at the top of the engine and a small portion of the gasket protrudes and you can see if it’s a single layer or multi layer
Look for oil leakage around the block and head or grit/sand feeling substances on the oil dipstick
God bless you sir you're definitely doing the Lord's work with these informational videos. I just bought a 2009 Forester and everything checks out thank you
I absolutely loved my Subaru Outback once it was repaired. I'm actually watching your video because I'm considering another used Subie after my Nissan was destroyed.
When I got my Outback, the headgasket was blown, and the shady seller successfully fooled me. I looked for fluid leaks. I looked for signs of exhaust in the coolant, and coolant in the oil. What this jackbutt did change all the fluids, cleaned the block, and stick it in the showroom. I was a bit naive to think putting it in the show room was a good sign.
Much appreciated. Also makes me appreciate the care I take with my own cars...so I don't have to risk buying other people's problems!
I was recently looking at a used outback. Had my master subaru tech look at it. Cam cases were leaking oil. He said major repair because engine has to come out. I was a former master tech myself but 25 years ago. I used to do loyale cam cases in the car. So many things have changed.
My Subie is in the shop right now getting his head gaskets done again at 215,000 miles. I got combustion pressure that would keep my overflow full, not the other way. I think I caught this early. I've always pulled over quickly when I would see the temperature gauge rise; I'm a gauge watcher from being a helicopter pilot in the past. I never had the pressure that your poor car has. This is as usual a very informative video. I am learning tons of info! Thanks!
I looked at a 2007 Outback today, 118,000 miles. Started car, popped hood. Turn flash light on, and immediately smell the unmistakable waft of burning coolant, and you could see the smoke, ever so slightly, coming from the right cylinder head. Pulled cap on coolant reservoir and it was darn near empty. Shut the car off and brought keys back to salesman….Thanks, but I’ll pass!
So thank you very much Mr.Subaru. You saved me such a huge headache!
Me, my dad & my brother, all used to buy a good bit of cars at auctions all over the south, and we checked the cars out, front to back, and we all had a job, mine was to make sure it hadn't been repainted, and I checked the tires and my brother checked the interior, we didn't buy cars from any of the rental companies bc they are all dogged out & have burns, dents, ect. But we noticed that other buyers would watch us, & bid on the cars we bid on bc they knew we checked the mess out of any car we bought!
first thing I do when I look at a used Subaru is open the radiator cap and start the car, and look for the nice stream of bubbles that indicates exhaust gasses coming into the cooling system. Also pulling off the timing inspection cover can tell a story itself. If you're buying a car with just under 180-190K miles and the belt looks brand new, and there's marker markings on the timing marks, a big engine job was likely done recently.
Care to explain a little further for those of us who aren't mechanically inclined?
Yes, I would like to know more too. Do the markings indicate that the belt is new and work has been done or that more work needs to be done and or that it may have more underline issues with the engine?
Brilliant idea, just bought one and forgot to check for bubbles.😮
If I had watched this video before I bought my Subaru Forester I would have caught all of this. After 1 month of owning it I had all these symptoms. I ended up buying a whole brand new OEM long block and pretty much everything else and rebuilt it. Very good video!
I learn a lot from listening to you. Thank you!
Head gasket replacement is certainly a good way to get intimate with your Subaru. Just finished this on a 2005 Outback I bought for $1000. Learned a lot. Thanks for sharing your knowledge! One thing that is not mentioned much is the rust that can be hidden behind the body panels. I ended up replacing the driver's side rocker and part of the back of it at the rear. Huge job as I had to make it all.
The utility knife blade use for scrapping the block and head was great info too. The original gasket just fell out, so I just had little scraping to do. I have about $3500 just in parts in the Outback now and its almost ready to safety. Quite a bit more than I was anticipating but am looking forward to enjoying the AWD this winter.
I have a 2002 LL Bean Outback with 71,000 miles. Bought it new. Hope I can get another 71,000 with no head gasket problems.
Thank you for passing on Subaru expert knowledge We are loyal to the brand but skeptical of repair garages. It helps calling BS on technitions.
2003 Legacy 320,000 traded for 2001 Forester 380,000 still solid execpt rust in rear panels over wheels. Help us with rust!
My only complaint with Subaru.
Dave
Best car man ever- Thanks for revealing the tricks!!
Good mechanics, people like this guy, are invaluable. They understand things the average person doesn't. I have done whatever I can with my car maintenance. Usually do my own brakes, oil changes, changed radiators, changed starters and even rebuilt a carburetor . These pros understand things beyond that.
I recently watched your video to educate myself on what to look for as I was going to look at a used 2004 Forester with only 75,000 miles and literally driven by an old lady. The car was in mint condition. But… EVERYTHING you said to watch out for, including the hot and cold radiator hoses, was present on this engine. Oil on top, oil and coolant on the cross member. Walked. Thank you👍
we buy them from copart all the time listed as "mechanical". more often than not is it the HGs or blown engine. head gaskets should not be a big deal for a used car dealer. it is pretty much routine maintenance on an EJ25. its a few hundred in parts and $100 at the machine shop. it is also a huge plus to be able to tell the buyer the car has new head gaskets and timing belt as most subaru buyers around here are well aware of the issues.
that does depend on a number of factors. most independent lots partner with a shop, it seems, and that shop would still charge them a chunk for such a repair. Fewer and fewer lots want the trouble of the overhead of a shop, the staff, other costs, etc etc. While to you it makes perfect sense to add a value prospect to a car you want to flip, the reality tends to bear out that the lot just passes on it, or gets it by accident and then does the unethical in the as-is sale just to move the inventory, rather than either budge on the price(in my case) or actually service it.
@@themadmallard most retail dealers in my state are also a shop. as any car sold with a temp tag has to pass NH state inspection. dealers generally have some knowledge about the cars they are bidding on and should be factoring in an HG job into bidding price. these cars dont bring alot at the auction anyway. i mean shit i just bought an 2011 Impreza clean title mechanical my winning bid was $400 - with fees and delivery it was $795. we bought 4 2009-2010 Foresters this year all under 2k out the door. that leaves plenty of meat on the bone for what ever repairs they require
@@volks-jager i agree it should, and it sounds like there's some statutory things different in your locality that lay such a groundwork, but not all other states have an inspection of any kind. Are you a shop, too? Not putting you on the spot, but there are also statutory interferences that probably affect things. Some states explicitly outlaw the private sale of a vehicle for profit if you aren't a dealership(including biz license, biz address, etc etc)
Sleazy dealers is right. I bought a 2001 Subaru Legacy L and figured I'd have to do some PM on it. I took the side cover off to look at the Timing Belt and to my surprise it was new. So new fluids front to back, new front CV shafts and I was happy. 6 months later on new years the engine blew on my way home from a trip. The temp gauge and sensor weren't working right but no code. Had a mechanic pull the motor. The dealer had but a new timing belt on but had not compressed the tensioner correctly so it wasn't pressing on the belt to turn the water pump at the speed it was supposed to. So I got a engine light flashing going up a hill and when I was at a light hoping to roll down hill into a place to park it. The engine let go at the light.
I've learned a lot more since then. Still have the car I really like it. But now I keep getting a flashing AT Temp Light when the car gets to normal temps. The only code I have is for a minor EVAP leak. Really struggling with this one. Mechanical stuff I'm real good at but electronic issues can stump me good.
Excellent video by the way, but basically don't buy one of these used due to the head gasket failures that are common. Unless you have proof they have gotten it professionally repaired in the past.
Very professional. Great video. I strive to be like you. Just need more experience, I’ve been a tech for about 5 years (Zero prior experience I came in blind) and I’ve learned so much but there’s still lots more to learn. I’m thinking of buying a used Subaru with a head gasket issue so that I can do that kind of work and learn hands on (timing components etc.)
This video just affected my decision on pursuing a used Legacy. Very helpful advice!
Good video delivering me bad news. Thanks for providing so many testing methods for us without tools.
Fantastic information. I am afraid of buying a used car at this time 2024. Now I have a better idea of what to expect.
I'm new to your videos. Thank you for what you do. Just purchased 2012 Outback base model w 98K miles. Having local mechanic check it out though supposedly timing belt and many other things have been already replaced. Fingers crossed it was all done properly. Will check your other videos and thank you for your expertise!
Just bought a 2012 liberty gt and used your advise on my inspection. With Full service history.After having it a few days I noticed a faint oil smell and coolant usage.
No crossed fluids or oil leakage on outside of engine yet. Car has 181xxxkms on it. So head gasket is absolutely on its was out. Luckily replacing the head gaskets is work I can do myself and will enjoy it.
Thank you so much for this clip,has alerted me to the early warning signs for this engine
As a Subaru guy myself, I love the videos👍🏾
Thank you for your concise videos. I’ve just been gifted a 2002 Outback sedan with the 3.0 H6. 178K, one owner, maintained with records, clean, complete and running Texas car. But…, head gasket is leaking and it needs brakes and axles. I’m mechanically capable for brakes and axles but I’m not sure if I want to try the head gaskets. Your videos have already been a big help in seeing what I’ve got to work with, thanks again.
Your "clip" is a Hell of a lot better than many sites camera videos !
I bought my 08 Outback from my son in law with 102k. He had just done the head gasket recall. The car has been perfect for years until one night the radiator blew a hole next to the upper neck. Totally out of the blue. Long story short, I have none of the classic HD issues, no oil in coolant, no coolant in oil, nothing coming out of exhaust. After replacing the radiator, and coil, it kept overheating. Same exact problem you mentioned here. Tstat not opening. Finally got a Subaru Tstat and all is well. Seemingly. I hear gurgling in the heater core when I start it. This is at 178k on it. Love this car and hope I can trust it again…
Fantasic detailed explanation of symptoms and their causes for blown headgaskets on the Subies.Thank you!
I’m a new Subaru owner, I love your videos!
Can u help me out please...I have a problem
My car misfire after a few hours of driving
I scan the vehicle an it said cylinder four is misfiring I changed the coil pack and it still happen again
I purchased a 2002 Subaru Outback 2.5l 4 cylinder Station Wagon. It runs like a soldier with no issues.
@@kayk.d.noonoo I’m
Looking at one right now !!
I'm all about giving the dealership the benefit of the doubt, but 4 seperate lots unrelated I shopped in the late 2010s 4 different models. had a mechanic looking at each of them and all had a major mechanical issue. Not a single one of them would budge their asking price when I shared what the mechanic found. Not.a.one. Anecdotally, the rep is earned not by a small percentage who don't know mechanicals. Its earned by predatory and jerky sales/business practices, regardless of the mechanical matters.
1993 Jeep. Just wrapping up new control arm bushings and track bar. Well.. JEEP.. Just Empty Every Pocket. :D
As for used from small dealers (and those no-credit places) I always tell folks to check the transmission fluid, oil, and coolant. If anything looks like fix-it-goo then walk away. And if they have a problem letting you take it to your mechanic for a check, run.
Very useful, wish I'd done my due diligence on my 2010 wrx limited as I got stuck with a $3900 cndn head gasket bill.
I wish I had this video a few months back. I am a Subaru Baja enthusiast and found a 2003 Baja Base model a few hours away for a decent price. I decided to pull the trigger and buy it since it is a hard find. A few weeks after bringing her home and changing the oil/coolant, I discovered a coolant leak right where you say the exhaust manifold gets dripped on by oil. I thought this coolant leak would be no issue to fix and would bide my time until I can have it properly diagnosed, as the leak was small. The car was not overheating. One day, after driving for a short distance, I discovered some smoke coming from the underside of the vehicle. Yep, the smoke was from the brand new, less viscous oil dripping from the location of the heads onto the exhaust manifold. After that run in, I parked it since. Subaru dealership says $2000 to replace the head gaskets, $2500 to replace the head gaskets, water pump, timing belt, and seals all at once.
Please do your research people! And thank you Mr. Subaru for bringing this to public knowledge.
I also need to deal with the common dogleg rust issue, does anyone have a recommendation before next winter hits and the rust gets worse? Thank you.
As a side note, I found exhaust gases are keeping the coolant system pressurized even as the car is shut off. Pulling the radiator cap off cold results in a lil bit of coolant erupting from the top.
Bought a used subaru with 110 k miles which they told me all the maint had been done. There was no sticker for the timing belt change..... The more I thought about it the more I realized they probably hadn't done the belt. I followed Mr. Subaru recommendation for timing belt and water pump. It was worth the peace of mind. He knows these cars.
Another thing to check for which will indicate a head gasket problem is to go behind the car and smell the exhaust as the engine is running. If the exhaust smells kinda sweet like anti-freeze, this means that coolant is getting into the combustion chamber and the head gaskets are likely going. Just saw this on an 04 Forester I looked at the other day which the owner said was losing coolant and needed regular top-ups.
Looked at 4 subaru foresters over the weekend. They all had at least one of these issues, including but not limited to, watered down coolant (leaking but they just top it up with water), oil dripping from bottom of headgasket (especially on the side where the oil filter is) and cleaned up stains on driveway XP
I am a paintless dent repair business owner and technician. I fixed a few dents on a guy's Grand Cherokee and Silverado. Instead of paying me cash, he gave me a 2009 Subaru Legacy in great condition, except it needs a head gasket. I can perform all the repairs myself and I figured I will have less than $1000 in parts, which includes a Fel Pro head gasket replacement gasket kit and a water pump and timing belt replacement kit, which includes new belt tensioner, idler pullies, and drive sprocket. I am hoping to drive the car for quite a few years. It gets twice the fuel mileage as my Jeep. It should pay for itself in about a year, considering how much I spend per year for fuel in my Jeep.
I just bought an 06 Forester for my kids. I looked for over a year and I think* I found the right one. Has records for the HG being replaced. Videos like this really help me out. Now off to find one to teach me how to do the window motor. Thank you for a very informative and helpful video!
Link lol to window video if you found it 😮thanks
@@pamelavance648 I ended up calling the local body shop and they did it for around 100 bucks of labor - I think the motor/assembly was 50-75 bucks??. Basically less than an hour of shop time. I figured those guys do this kind of thing all the time and I was right. FWIW I did watch this video and was going to attempt it. In the end I watch this video which made is seem a little frustrating which reinforced calling a shop. FWIW it's probably easier to just replace the entire system vs. just the motor. th-cam.com/video/dI1YAVNT-x0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=qumRg-VebpJac99W
Your content, information, and presentation are absolutely phenomenal, sir.
I'm shopping for a used Subaru legacy and this was very helpful!
About to go look at a Baja tomorrow, thanks for all the advice. I'm relatively mechanical savvy but don't know much about Subaru specifically
Excellent advice on the symptoms to check for excess pressure in the cooling system and oil leaks. My 135k used purchased Subie has a bad cat converter which had the codes cleared, and the annoying clicking vent noise - thankfully no oil leaks!
My 2013 Outback kept having catalytic converter warning lights. After much angst and no help from Subaru an exhaust guy said buy a new fuel cap. Guess what? That was a year ago. Not had a warning light since. No need for a new cat as I feared. The Outback has now done 260,000 kilometres.
@@graemebdh2172 Thank you, I did that too, along with 3 treatments of Cataclean, and changing the sensors, my mechanic said it’s ok to drive, replace the cat when you want to at $900, gulp.
Thank you for receiving visual things to point out. Genuinely wish I knew about your videos a lot sooner because I'm learning a lot of stuff the hard way.
I've actually had a power steering line fail, that also had fluid run down to pool on the pasenger block and burn off of the up-pipe
I put worm gears on my oem radiator hoses after replacing them simply because the pinch clamps were garbage.
Fabulous video like all your videos, I have to admit without knowing better I replaced the spring clamps with screw type clamps. I have to admit then i always had problems with the hoses weeping after the car was turned off . Constantly trying to tighten up those screw clamps. Should have kept the original clamps. (2011 impreza btw)
One other question for a future video. You mentioned that you could visibly see what an original head gasket looks like vs the newer type MLS head gaskets. Maybe you could show that in a future video or maybe even one of those "shorts".
Great video once again.
Thank you. Novice Liberty 2.5 owner here :)
Exactly what happened to me!! Dealer said he fixed them on all his suburus. Everything else was new fixed. So why would it not be! Guy has great reviews as honest. Smh
This is one really good video. I have 2 Legacys. One 2.0 liter from 1999 and one 3.0R from 2007. I´ll do this check today to see if there is any presigns for this problem. Thanks a lot for this channel! /Jesper (Sweden).
Your vehicles are mostly immune to head gasket problems. You are lucky.
Thank you so much Mr.Subaru! The way you explain things makes it very easy to understand and retain!!
Very well done I did learn something I didn't know. Thank You Sir
me out here keeping my 97" impreza GT with 260k Miles alive and in shape
all because of people like u.
i just want to stop by and say thank u for the content u make
Greatings from switzerland
Another great video, I just finished a steering pump replacement, transmission flush, and differential service on my '06 Outback XT following along your guidance. I wish I had seen this video in 2020, because I think I might have gotten burned (I've been discovering a lot of the symptoms you described here). Thank you for all the info and how-to's. Any advice is welcome : )
Thank you for such a concise well presented video. Stay well. You have prevented me from being the king of wishful thinking and poorer for the experience.
The only Subaru I've owned which was reliable, was an old Legacy wagon with the 2.2 motor. The car literally rotted away and collapsed, but the engine still ran like a clock,
and the automatic transmission still shifted smoothly.
Newer Subarus I 've owned, with the 2.5 motor, were nightmares. Engine issues, transmission issues, and brake problems. Now I drive an old Camry, and don't have
to worry about being ambushed by a Subaru.
Wow I haven't been this early ever. Excited to see this vid!
Great tips here Mr. Subaru! Would love to see a video on Subaru road trip preparation as I'm about to travel across the country to my first duty station in my 07 Forester. 😬
Good 👍 I appreciate the information.
Bought a 2022 Outback and love driving it. 2.5 and all wheel drive is the best.
Got an opportunity to grab a 2011 Legacy 2.5 I 4d sedan. 129k for around $5500. Opinion on that year and model? One of the best and most honest/ informative channels out there! Thank you for what you offer!!!
I'm about to go look at a used Subaru to get as a commuter vehicle. Thanks for these videos!
I am the original owner of a 2012 2.5 Outback, I take excellent care of the car to its 120,000 miles. Just last month it overheated on a trip, cracked the radiator, blew the top hose off. The independent shop replaced the radiator, hose, and yes it’s a worm gasket. All Subaru Super Coolant……no issues for a couple of months then, over heated again. Shut it down to cool off, no issues. They say they pressure tested it again….. replace the thermostat….. I’d love to know for sure which head gaskets this EJ has since it’s right on the line.
Believe me, I know the feeling 2010 Subaru Forester engine replacement after 1 year of owning it at 190,000 Mi and almost $10,000 in repairs not just from the engine even some suspension components. And mind, you the last previous owner who did service on this particular car was the second month of 2021 and oil change was on the 5th month of 2021.
Well im a unfortunate one that did get suckered. Bought a 2013 outback. Looked great. All shiny , didnt smoke. It started using a quart of oil in about 250 miles. Then noticed a black coolant container resevoir. Finally lost comoression on cylinder#3. 8k spent on this car. And now it needs a head gasket at least. 😢.
I just busted a local Toyota dealership selling a 2016 Forrester get left Hampton New Jersey red it wound up in Winnipeg Manitoba purple it had a fake provincial safety and when I questioned the salesman he asked me if I was bullying him I’m a 30 year mechanic Government We don’t work that hard but anyway thank you because I picked it apart because of your videos thank you I watch the nightly
Thanks! I am off to look at a 2013 Impreza Hatch with 150,000 KM and these are good tips
Hello Mr Subaru i like i like your channel alot, you are straightforward and to the point allways,.. anyway I just want to say I'm happy to report, that I have the upgraded mode with the double layer steel head gaskets, i have the 2012 impreza premium hatchback with the 6-speed paddle shifter CVT trans made japan,.. love this car does not burn a drop of oil and I do alot of City driving mostly,.. i want to thank you for the tip on the PCV valve, I changed that and that's probably why i'm getting 24 to 26 mpg city and 35 to 39 highway.. i love this car !!!,.. i change you all as soon as it gets dark regardless of how long it's been or how many milesI, i go by the look of the oil,.. same with the plugs.... Thanks again mr Subaru keep doing what you doing, My friend....
WOW YOU EXPALINED A LOT OF INFO THANKS FOR WHAT YOUR DOING
Glad I found you! Thanks you very much for your time and all the video's. There are very helpful!! Grtz, Boyd Amsterdam
My 02 Forester head gasket died at 156k.
All fixed, now at 216k holding strong.
Good story about car dealers. I once bought a Chrysler Alpine from a main Chrysler dealer and asked him a very simple question, How many BHP does it produce. He didn't know!
I am so glad i have an FB engine, No more EJ headaches!
Heading out today to look at a 2008 Outback. Will be putting your advice to work!
How not to get super-screwed
When buying a Subaru.
My Baja has 211k miles. Just going to run it through the inspection sticker date. Northeast cars are parts cars with that mileage. Road salt rots out the undercarriage. I got my money's worth! 👍
When I was a teenager my friend had a brat, I think that's what the Baja was based off of I might be wrong but that thing surprised bout everyone at the places he took it. Until he finally busted the oil pan on a rock lmao
Great video. That's valuable knowledge and it's easy to understand and perform a first check if your thinking of buying. Then get a mechanic to look at the one that passes this first inspection.
My 93 K1500 blazer is a treat. I can fix and drive in the great state of Maine when the commute is viable. Tows alot for a sub 200hp motor with stock hd stuff. Nice rig. Obviously, 30 plus year old stuff needs to be replaced. A Toyota Camry is a great commuter, but they have no soul. The Subaru I'm currently driving is noisy, rather uncomfortable and compromised in many ways. Traction is not one. This will probably be my first and Iast Subaru. AWD tech is widespread and more readily available. Not to say the Bu can't handle it, but what are Hoonigans using?.
Great info that you continue to give, you are awesome
The summary list of things to check at the end of this video is great, do you have a video which shows the specific checks to do between the cylinder head and the block? I’m about to view my third outback this week, the first two were complete lemons, one of which overheated and dumped oil on the test drive.
The hose pushing off & other issues mentioned are certainly things to watch for; but I wouldn't get suspicious just because spring hose clamps have been replaced with worm drive. At least around here, right now, stainless steel worm drive clamps are a lot cheaper then spring steel. Had to replace several clamps along with some stiff hoses as they were not in good shape. One of them the tabs broke off when squeezing it to remove it & had to hacksaw the stupid thing off.
Believe it or not, I have an 08 Impreza OB sport with 247,000+ miles with original head gaskets. I've owned since new and have only used Mobil 1 and never beat the car. It has been a great car since day 1 in August 2008.
Why didn't you show the two types of gaskets Bro? Very thorough video- thanks! I am an 83 yr old Loyale bush buggy fan !