GU Duke wrote:Update - owner took it to dealership yesterday and said 'head gaskets are leaking, I need them fixed'. They called him back to say that the tiny amount is 'normal' for its age (2008 with 126,000km) and he shouldn't worry about it. He told them to do it as he couldn't ethically sell the car as is without taking a huge hit on price. They called him back twice more (mechanic then mamanagement) to say 'dont waste your money, it could go indefinitely like it is'. He's going in this morning to speak to them face to face as in his words, he wouldn't continue driving it like that if he kept it, with one eye on the temp concerned about cooking the engine, he doesn't feel he can sell it without disclosing the issue now that he knows about it, and he doubts anyone will buy it without expecting a huge $ reduction. FWIW - they apparently quoted him $2,500. He owns a business though, so I suspect maintenance of his car is tax deductible, hence his preference to do pay for the maintenance then sell it for more.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't any sign of coolant leak from the head gasket an issue? (Rocker cover and everything else are clean and dry.)
Cheers,
If I were him, I'd get an independent second opinion from another reputable mechanic who knows Subaru's. Sounds like the car is no longer under warranty if they are quoting him that sort of coin. SO I would be getting another assessment and quote to either confirm or debunk the original assessment. Put it this way, THAT does not look 'normal' in my opinion. Unless the dealership were prepared to
write a written letter stating that this level of weeping is considered 'normal' and it is standard practise to leave the car as is, then I would definitely be pushing for other arrangements.