Subaru Forester ?

[FC]

Hey Bean Counter did you notice this? http://www.subaruheadgasket.com/vehicleyear.htm

After 03 the problem was solved.

The problem was never the gaskets themselves, it was the open deck design of the engine block (case). The cylinders would squirm when the engine was pinging due to cheap or poor gas and eventually rub a leak in the gasket.

FWIW most of the issues I have run into with the later cars is people getting a water pump or hose leak and dumping stop-leak into them, that clogs up passages and heatercores and you end up with overheating issues quickly....Aluminum engine + bad overheating almost always = blown headgaskets, mainly caused by people driving them for a week with the needle in the red or right up to it.

[Woodchuck]

I am not trying to start a pissing match here but I have seen a bunch of post 03 2.5's with head gaskets on well maintained rigs, did they change the design? yes. Did it fix the issue? no.

[Buckmark]

A Jeep Cherokee has about the same entry height but way more ground clearance, not to mention interior space. I had one that I flat towed behind my truck/camper. It towed great.

Don't you still have one looking for a home?

[FC]

I am not trying to start a pissing match here but I have seen a bunch of post 03 2.5's with head gaskets on well maintained rigs, did they change the design? yes. Did it fix the issue? no.

Odd, they are not well known. Maybe it's something to do with the area your shop is in and the gas people are using or something?

idk man, the only other way I have seen cooling system issues with the later Subies is when people either mix coolants or use the wrong stuff. 

[Bean Counter]

Well it sounds as if AWS has been spectator to a good discussion and can now make a well informed decision. AWS, if you call the guys at All Wheel Drive Auto in Kirkland they've always been really cool about answering all my questions.

If you really want a Subaru then go ahead, but I would feel best if you could get one $2,000 below book value so you can save for a head gasket job.

Also you mentioned towing. Not sure how you'd plan to do that but you'll definitely want to leave all four tires on the ground due to the all time, all wheel drive.

[Bean Counter]

Hey Bean Counter did you notice this? http://www.subaruheadgasket.com/vehicleyear.htm

After 03 the problem was solved.

The problem was never the gaskets themselves, it was the open deck design of the engine block (case). The cylinders would squirm when the engine was pinging due to cheap or poor gas and eventually rub a leak in the gasket.

FWIW most of the issues I have run into with the later cars is people getting a water pump or hose leak and dumping stop-leak into them, that clogs up passages and heatercores and you end up with overheating issues quickly....Aluminum engine + bad overheating almost always = blown headgaskets, mainly caused by people driving them for a week with the needle in the red or right up to it.

I'll have to defer to you on this one--you're the expert.

The guys at AWD Auto said that they've seen plenty of 2005's, etc still coming in for a new head gasket. What a black eye for an other wise great vehicle.

In my research it seemed to me as though the 2010 models have avoided the issue due to the introduction of a multi layered gasket as opposed to the old school single ply type. Also, I was told they changed the torque specifications of the engine heads and actually loosening the head up a bit allows the gasket to be spongy enough to withstand leaks.

I had the wife's done at the Subaru dealership only because it would have been a long drive/tow to Kirkland. Also, for the $2,100 I spent, I talked the dealership into replacing the timing belt, water pump, seals, spark plugs, wires, thermostat, oil change, etc, etc... Also got a loaner car for a loooong weekend 

[FC]

Crazy stuff dude, what year is yours Bean Counter?

It makes me wonder if they didn't sneak some of the old motors in, they wouldn't be the first manufacturer to pull that!

I was just quoting your own source back in reference to 03 being the last bad year for those things although in my experience it's correct and that was when they went back to the closed deck block design. The gaskets used were (stock) a shim type gasket so they don't deal well with any movement or surface imperfections, they work great for most applications.

As for AWS, no matter what you buy, if going used GET IT INSPECTED FIRST!!!!!

[Bean Counter]

Crazy stuff dude, what year is yours Bean Counter?

It makes me wonder if they didn't sneak some of the old motors in, they wouldn't be the first manufacturer to pull that!

I was just quoting your own source back in reference to 03 being the last bad year for those things although in my experience it's correct and that was when they went back to the closed deck block design. The gaskets used were (stock) a shim type gasket so they don't deal well with any movement or surface imperfections, they work great for most applications.

As for AWS, no matter what you buy, if going used GET IT INSPECTED FIRST!!!!!

2003 

[Woodchuck]

As for AWS, no matter what you buy, if going used GET IT INSPECTED FIRST!!!!!






 

[FC]

2003 

lol....sucks man.

[jackelope]

What do you have to do to be able to tow one behind the RV?
And what do you have to do to be able to tow the Rav4, the Escape, etc. I'm not fond of the idea of putting an inline electric pump in to circulate fluid so the trans doesn't burn up or disconnect drivelines, etc.

Jeeps just put the T-case in neutral, leave the trans in park and turn the key a click forward and you're good to go. Some of the newer ones aren't that simple but mostly anything 05 or older will do.

[CAMPMEAT]

Over here in my neck of the woods, just about every 5th car is a Subaru, old and newer. No kidding, very popular as they get around very well in snow, ice, rain etc. Even the non-hippies drive 'em. 

[jeepasaurusrex]

A Jeep Cherokee has about the same entry height but way more ground clearance, not to mention interior space. I had one that I flat towed behind my truck/camper. It towed great.

Don't you still have one looking for a home?

I still have a 94 Grand Cherokee I'll sell cheap. 

[AWS]

We're looking at new.  And the manual transmission Forester can be towed four down without any changes.

Thanks for the info, this has been a great help.  If anyone wants to add to this keep it coming.

I alreaady have a 90 Pathfinder, we are looking for something much smaller to tow behind a E-350 based class B gas rig.

Thanks

AWS

[Bean Counter]

...
Thanks for the info, this has been a great help.  If anyone wants to add to this keep it coming.
...

The wife's '03 Outback wagon got 27.25 mpg on the last tank of gas. Not bad for all wheel drive. Do you even get 1/2 that in your truck?

Back in the snowstorm of 2007 I chained up all four and was able to drive up the steepest hills that seemed like they were almost a solid sheet of ice. One hill in Lake Forrest Park had like two dozen cars spun out on it. Subaru's are a low clearance vehicle as far as chains go so go with cable chains from a company like SCC.

But still... the gasket issue is the big gorilla...