Head gasket - Updated

[BlackSTI]

Hey guys,

Had my car in for a little service today and have been informed that my head gasket is gone.

Just trying to get a rough price on what is expected for that kind of work, I am not really too sure whats involved.

He quoted $4500 to 're do it all', he talked specifics but my brain was already ticking over considering my options and I may have blanked on it.

The service place is John French Motors, Woolloongabba, which I have seen recommended around here, just want to check they are not taking a 'young fella' for a ride.

Thanks.

[Robbks]

How many KM.?

For removal + refit of engine alone you're looking at near on $1500,
plus strip and machining and possibly crack testing heads.
Full gasket kit, probably timing belt and tensioners, cam/ crank seals, etc
Probably do water-pump while it's all apart too,
then fluids, etc

See Kris at Rising Sun Subaru for this months specials on long motors
This is what he had in late may

3 X GRB sti USA-AU spec 2.5 complete motors $4200 inc GST each
1 X GRB sti USA-AU spec 2.5 long motor(no turbo kit)$2850
1 X 2006 legacy 2.5 lt complete motor $3500

[BlackSTI]

How many KM.?

For removal + refit of engine alone you're looking at near on $1500,
plus strip and machining and possibly crack testing heads.
Full gasket kit, probably timing belt and tensioners, cam/ crank seals, etc
Probably do water-pump while it's all apart too,
then fluids, etc

See Kris at Rising Sun Subaru for this months specials on long motors
This is what he had in late may

3 X GRB sti USA-AU spec 2.5 complete motors $4200 inc GST each
1 X GRB sti USA-AU spec 2.5 long motor(no turbo kit)$2850
1 X 2006 legacy 2.5 lt complete motor $3500

Its around 135,000 kms from memory, only just picked it up off this forum under 2 months-ish ago.

I have called around two other place, once quoted a bit over 4000, with 2500 just being the labour involved, very interesting. Your breakdown helps show how it all adds up.

Are these brand new engines, imported from japan? I presume they are used at that price.

[bigBADbenny]

What evidence is there, that new head gasket is needed?
Got a second opinion?

[BlackSTI]

What evidence is there, that new head gasket is needed?
Got a second opinion?

I'm considering a second opinion

It has been steaming on start-up fairly badly, oily gunk in the coolant overflow bottle, bubbles appearing in the over flow bottle while idling and the overflow coolant level rising.

Are there any other signs I should be looking for?

[bigBADbenny]

That's probably the right symptoms
Any idea what brought it on?

[chubbs]

yeah that sounds like the head gasket mate, im currently going through the same thing, had the same issues.

[senator]

Save your time and money and talk to Serge http://m.truelocal.com.au/business/flat-4-performance/kedron
Absolute legend/expert/gentleman when it comes to soobis

Saved me alot of running around and stress when i spun a bearing.

[BlackSTI]

That's probably the right symptoms
Any idea what brought it on?

No idea, what can usually cause this? I only bought it about 2000kms ago, so I am wondering if its a pre existing issue, or if its happened since. I've read that thrashing and not allowing the engine to cool down can do this, but I always leave it on for a few minutes after a spirited drive. Does extra pressure from a bigger exhaust / tune potentially cause issues like this? I think the tuning was done around 112,000 (now at 135,000ish).

yeah that sounds like the head gasket mate, im currently going through the same thing, had the same issues.

Ahh its not good mate, whats the bill to fix up yours?

Save your time and money and talk to Serge http://m.truelocal.com.au/business/flat-4-performance/kedron
Absolute legend/expert/gentleman when it comes to soobis

Saved me alot of running around and stress when i spun a bearing.

I'll give him a ring and have a chat thanks.

[Boostaddict]

You guys are scaring me!!!

There is far too many 2.5litre engine doing head gaskets!!!

Ive been checking my coolant overflow, oil filler cap and watching my exhaust steaming in the morning as i was getting a coolant bubbling sound behind the dash on a hot start some times and a coolant smell.

Found my top radiator hose was leaking and did a BIG FUCKING fffeeeeewwww!!!

[<GB>]

How many KM.?

For removal + refit of engine alone you're looking at near on $1500,
plus strip and machining and possibly crack testing heads.
Full gasket kit, probably timing belt and tensioners, cam/ crank seals, etc
Probably do water-pump while it's all apart too,
then fluids, etc

See Kris at Rising Sun Subaru for this months specials on long motors
This is what he had in late may

3 X GRB sti USA-AU spec 2.5 complete motors $4200 inc GST each
1 X GRB sti USA-AU spec 2.5 long motor(no turbo kit)$2850
1 X 2006 legacy 2.5 lt complete motor $3500

I had my engine removed and refit for 800.... 1500 is way too much 800-1000in fluids is realistic plus any hose that may need replaing

[Robbks]

I had my engine removed and refit for 800.... 1500 is way too much 800-1000in fluids is realistic plus any hose that may need replaing

All depends what your mechanic charges and how good he is
Mine is $80 an hour and wouldn't take him 10 hours to remove/ refit a motor
other big workshops and stealerships are pushing $150 and will charge you the book time regardless of what it actually takes.

Any Subie trained mech's know the workshop book time on remove + refit of a turbo donk in a gen4

[BlackSTI]

So tonight was looking up some old posts here... stumbled upon a few from the previous owner which might help explain things, linked below. Looks like its over heated (at least twice in the past).

Im guessing the over heating, as caused the head gasket issue.

Now my thoughts are... has the tune caused over heating in some way, or has the coolant system had an issue that may need to be sorted. Thoughts guys?

It has been dynoed for 175 when It was setup by the previous owner, is this pushing the car too much (which only aftermarket addition is an exhaust)?

viewtopic.php?f=45&t=19855

viewtopic.php?f=45&t=16507&p=225897#p225897

[dr20t]

Did you purchase off the forum or independently?

Were you advised of it having overheated in the past?

Did you have the car inspected before purchase?

[Manaz]

So tonight was looking up some old posts here... stumbled upon a few from the previous owner which might help explain things, linked below. Looks like its over heated (at least twice in the past).

Im guessing the over heating, as caused the head gasket issue.

Now my thoughts are... has the tune caused over heating in some way, or has the coolant system had an issue that may need to be sorted. Thoughts guys?

A tune generally shouldn't cause overheating. A good tune should certainly avoid running lean (though it will generally run leaner than the stock tune from the factory), which is one way in which engines overheat. Overheating may be caused by other factors (insufficient coolant, insufficient airflow through the radiator, blockages in the coolant system, a failed coolant pump, etc).

That said, it's not at all unheard of for these cars to have head gasket/lifting issues, particularly when tuned. But my understanding of that is that it's not as simple as an overheating issue - in fact, I'd go so far as to guess that the overheating is a symptom of the head gasket issues, not the other way around.

It has been dynoed for 175 when It was setup by the previous owner, is this pushing the car too much (which only aftermarket addition is an exhaust)?

viewtopic.php?f=45&t=19855

viewtopic.php?f=45&t=16507&p=225897#p225897

My understanding was that ~180kW ATW is possible without replacing the turbo or intercooler, but that this would require exhaust and intake modifications (silicon hoses to replace the plastic piping on the intake side for example). To get 175kW ATW without supporting mods other than exhaust, the boost may have been set higher, and that could contribute to the failure you've seen.

Many of the things I've just mentioned are mentioned in those two threads you linked to...