This older Subaru Forester has a Blown Head Gasket | Common Subaru Forester Problem
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- Опубликовано: 7 июл 2024
- Happy to be back making videos guys!
My wife and I have been sick for the past couple weeks with Covid.We rode it out at home and quarantined together. Happy to say we are both doing well and back at it!
Today's patient is a 2003 Subaru Forester, one of my favorite little SUV's. These cars are still driveable even if the head gasket is blown. This customer continued to drive it right until the day she had it towed to me.
I spent some time in my career working at a Subaru Dealership here in Decatur, Ga so I am very familiar with these vehicles. Also, my first car was a 1992 Subaru legacy wagon so I have a long history with the brand.
In this video I will be showing you how to do a block test to check that the blown head gasket is indeed blown. I'll also point out another common issue underneath the vehicle, just in you're in the market to buy one and need to inspect.
BLOCK TEST KIT:amzn.to/3fKZ7Kb
Hope this video helps you!
-Your favorite mechanic Alex
subaru blown head gasket subaru head gasket auto repair guys car advice #alexthecardoctor oil leak 
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Dude is nice and knows his info !!!!! He’s correct
Thanks buddy
Hey my ej251 Subaru is slowing losing coolant about 2oz every other day and my top coolant line gets sucked up tight… is my engine slowly die ing
@@DFPFTW no it’s not slowly dying couple of things to look for,first off your radiator hose may be worn out check your radiator cap condition but before you do make sure the car is cold also put some cardboard underneath your car overnight to determine if it’s leaking or not, if so something will show up on the cardboard. Do you have any check engine lights or anything like that
Subscribed !!!!!
You people are so lovely I end up subs 😂👍🏼
Thanks for the support
My 2009 Subaru Outback just blew head gasket at 184,000 sold it as is for 2400
Can you do a spark plug video on this year and model
Ran a 2007 Forester with no oil. I didn't know that at the time. Was going 50 mph and heard 4 loud bangs followed by surges each time there was a bang as I tried to accelerate. Pulled the car over to the side of the road as it stopped running. Next day I added oil and turned the engine over, apparently the cam shaft still moved so the engine did not seize. getting ready to purchase a jdm engine replacement. Any ideas on what blew up?
It’s hard to say without seeing it.
Diet coke always worked for me for cleaning and nutrilizing the acid.
That’s one of my old tricks, nice
My 2004 forester xt only seems to be running hotter only on hot days here in Arizona while on the freeway only. When it’s 110 plus degrees out and highway driving the temp gauge goes up. But never over heats moves up to about 3/4. Great around town, on highway under 112 degrees. I’ve replaced everything you can think of. Not sure what else to do.
Hey there you may have a air flow restriction, check out your a/c Condenser and make sure the cooling fins are not smashed up. The a/c Condenser rest in front of the radiator
@@AlexTheCarDoctor awesome thank you so much! The condenser was full of bugs and other debris. I cleaned it out . I’ll give it a go. Thank you so much!
@@m8greg my pleasure buddy let me know how it works out
02-07 wrx and forester weak head gaskets
I have a 07 foreset that over heats after replacing a hose and at a idle it doesn't over heat I don't know what the problem is it over heat more wen I push on gas do I need to burb the system what is the problem and overflow tank fills up all the way
Sounds like you have air in the coolant system.I have a Video showing how to do so if you need me to send it to you. Did you run your Subaru hot if so how long
Hey Alex, great video. I've had my 07 Forester for a few years now and have had stop leak run through it twice, and am now experiencing coolant leaking again. Do you think it's worthwhile getting the head gasket fixed, or is it time to move onto another vehicle?
Hey there that’s hard to say I have seen people get rid of there cars for something worse and on the other end attempted to fix their car and waste money,at the end of the day it depends on if you have a good mechanic or a good trusted car seller. Good luck buddy hope that helps
@@AlexTheCarDoctor Thanks for the reply, much appreciated!
@@CocoOwnzU my pleasure buddy
Man I'm gonna start calling you bizzy bone. You look and sound like you can be part of bone thugs and harmony! Hahahahaha yo, thanks for the video.
That’s what’s up those are my people lol.my pleasure buddy, I thanks for watching
I heard to use Turbo gasket. The coating or something is the issue with the non turbo gasket
Wow good info I never thought of that or I assumed they were the same
Does that 180° opposed motor layout cause the head gaskets to go faster than normal? I don’t know of any other types of motors that has such common head gasket issues as theses Subaru 4 cylinders.. good video 👍🏻
Definitely a design issue. I definitely agree with you I’ve never seen a car with so many head gasket issues thanks for watching buddy
Yeah, when the engine is shut down the coolant and oil just sits there in contact with the head gasket, instead of draining down. On these engines the factory used gaskets that weren’t robust enough to resist that corrosion.
It’s a problem that was solved long time ago. It’s not inherently a boxer motor problem. It’s a type of head gaskets that were used for years. Plus people have a tendency to beat the hell out of Subaru’s without proper maintenance.
@@SlaughterDog correct
Hey Alex great video! Question Alex can a head gasket be done while the engine is on the car or you would have to remove the engine?
On Most engines the head gasket can be removed while in the vehicle only a certain few of engines, the engine have to be removed in order to do the head gasket
Thanks brother! I have 04 forester would I have to remove the engine brother? Please advise I want to do my car maintenance by myself I learned to do fluids changes it feels good the end of the day plus it’s too expensive at repair shops and dealers. In your video you mentioned you have worked in Subaru dealership so brother 04 forester the areas you point out in the video to tell the difference between the head gasket and valve cover thanks for that unfortunately main is the head gasket. Great video thanks. Please advice me thank you very much you are an angel
@@burhanuddin7782 hey there I’m going to assume you have the single overhead cam engine if so, you can definitely remove the cylinder head with the engine still in the vehicle. Of course, you will have to remove the engine mount and jack the engine up to clear the head bolts. Thanks for watching and the support
Thank you brother happy thanksgiving and holidays 👍
Hi Alex I own 3.6L dodge journeyGT my car is in motion it rides good but it rattle when I apply brakes on if it reversed it doesn't rattle what's going on?
It sounds like something is going on with the braking system like warped rotors it will cause a vibrating/rattle sensation when you apply the brakes. But I will need more information like how fast you’re going and a video would be nice if you would like to look me on IG and send it to me
My 2003 Subaru Forester XS makes a chirping noise when accelerating. It also has a rough idle, that sometimes feels like it is trying to die. It hasn't died yet. I just changed the spark plugs and the O2 sensor and fuel pump trying to fix and has not worked out. Any idea what I can try next?
Is the check engine light on.The noise I know I won’t be able to help as much need to look at that in person
@@AlexTheCarDoctor I fixed all the check engine lights. It continued to make the noise and rough idle. Neighbor came to help me, said he could do a compression test, asked me to remove the spark plug. Turns out one of the plugs is coming loose while I drive and it causes problems. I just plug it back in and its all good now. Thank you for the help though!
I’m glad you figured it out
I have a 2006 subaru lagacy wagon 2.5 ej25. I believe it has a headgasket problem, question, remove the motor or do it in car thanks Ran
That’s a single cam and those heads can be removed with engine in vehicle
I have a 95 Subi Legacy GT and I’m trying to keep her running. She’s my daily driver.
How many miles do you have
@@AlexTheCarDoctor 212,398
@@AlexTheCarDoctor i’m so grateful, she’s a beauty. And as of now I am having no problems with her, She has always been very well taken care of her entire life. I just keep having people tell me that the head gaskets gonna go anytime and that scares me.
Thank you so much for commenting to me, I highly enjoyed your video very informative. 👍🏻
@@heatherreich2687 I’m glad you like my videos buddy.normally head gasket just don’t blow,especially if you take care of your vehicle like changing your coolant when it needs it also timing belt is another thing to look into if you haven’t already
@@AlexTheCarDoctor Oh my gosh thank you, you have just made me feel so much better. I have had several mechanic-ish gentleman tell me that I need to start saving to have it replaced because all Subarus go after 200,000. I have been stressing it for a while..... 12,000 miles worth. 😅 We keep up on all her maintenance coolant and belts included. 💛 again Thankyou
Idk what year subaru leaks oil but can't wait til u look at my pentastar engine
You got it bro
Hello Alex my 2003 Subaru Forester 2.5 FL SoHc 4cly when i go very short distance it shuts off and i put water in the radiator it leaks. Can you help me out. would it be the water pump , head gasket, radiator
Hey there do you see the leak?also do it runs hot then shut off?it could be a combination of the 3, I need more information from you first and we will figure it out together
@@AlexTheCarDoctor Thank you I will let you know.
thanks for the help. working now
@@Butteryfly63 I’m happy to hear
Hey Alex, quick question because I'm crazy right now. I have a 09 forester X & I personally changed the radiator, thermostat, water pump, hoses, belts, spark plug, well everything to make this car drive good. But for some reason, randomly my overheating light comes on flashing and I noticed the expansion tank over flowing. It is difficult to make the light come back on but I'm confused because one day I could drive for more than an 2 hours an it would not come on, then it one day, it would come on. This happens like once every few months. Also forgot to mention that it only flashes an when it does it then goes away. HELPP!!!!
I'm having a similar issue with my car. Did you ever figure out what was wrong? I think mine is the head gasket
@@silverwolfdemon4791 As dumb as this might sound, I was putting 93 gas since I got the car which is when I was getting that flashing light and then ever since I started putting 87, It never came back again.
@@manauryreyes7262 yeah 93 gas has a difference in how it combusts, there is a mechanical reason that certain vehicles call for high octane!! It’s a myth that high octane is ‘Better’, or that it’s cleaner and good to fill up with occasionally. A vehicle is designed for it, or it’s designed for regular octane combustion.
Now my buddy has a 2002 Subaru Forster blew the radiator and a lower radiator hose and it’s leaking oil and it has smoke coming out of the exhaust
Check that head gasket
I pour a couple of spark plugs and it looks like it was burning oil
Hey alex, great video.
I have a question, I just got a 98 forester was driving really good, just started over heating. But when I start it up and warm it up and drive down the mountain the temp gage goes all the way down until I'm in flat land again and stays normal until I come to a stall. Oil looks great but it's eating up antifreeze allot both of the radiator hoses are hot to the touch. The reservoir seems to be filling up and to much and spilling out no other leaks. Thanks if you can help me out.
Hey there buddy, you need to make sure the radiator fans are coming on. You may have a bad fan relay or fuse also the fans maybe bad themselves. The radiator relies on air flow when you stop so does the air flow through the radiator,it is the fans job to pull air through the radiator when the vehicle is stationary at idle and sometimes when the engine is off. A quick way to test your fans that is to turn on your a/c the fan supposed to come on automatically
@@AlexTheCarDoctor hey thanks for the reply. I just checked the fans they do come on right when I turn the ac on.
@@AlexTheCarDoctor I also checked the gaskets that you mentioned in the video and there is no oil build up or any leaks around.
@@codyserrato2646 ok cool next see if the fans come on with out turning on the a/c, this may take 20 to 30 minutes if that works then perform a block Test let the vehicle cool down for about 2 hr before opening the cooling system. If you’re not sure how to do a block Test I can send you a video if you like
@@AlexTheCarDoctor yes I think I'll have to do a block test.😑
Is a 2005 Subaru Forester a reliable vehicle found a real clean one with 150000 miles
They are pretty reliable for that year you need to make sure the head gasket is not leaking oil,they was pretty bad about doing that for that year range
Hey Doc... I'd like to find someone like you I. My state (Idaho) do you know where I could go to for a reference...my wife and kid went to our delearship..(lol]
Hey there buddy I would love to have you as a customer,maybe I’ll open up a shop one day up there where you are. Unfortunately I don’t know anyone down that way
U forgot...
Most important question!!!
How much 2 fix???????
David
Lee
It varies, but I’d say about $1500 - $2000
How much does a job like this cost
04-07???
04 I do believe