The Subaru provides free head gasket repair in its power train warranty because of several issues in these systems.
Will Subaru Pay For Head Gasket Repair? Subaru will pay for the head gasket repair if it happens within 4 years of the powertrain warranty. Moreover, they will also provide free-of-cost service under 40,000 miles. The issue of blown-out head gaskets is more common in Subaru Impreza, Legacy, Outback, and Forester.
You should not ignore the white smoke from the exhaust system during driving because it is a clear sign of damaged or blown-out gaskets. Instead, take your SUV to the service center as soon as possible for repairing purposes.
What are the head gaskets of Subaru?
These are the engine components used as a seal between the parts of the engine and cylinder head.
It helps to maintain the pressure in the combustion chamber by covering its head. In addition, it also prevents oil and coolant leakage into the combustion chamber.
These are mostly made of steel and can bear the engine’s heat.
The plastic and fiberglass types are unsuitable because of their short durability and do not have the power to withstand the engine’s heat.
Why is Subaru paying for repairing head gaskets?
Many people complain that the head gaskets of their SUVs are blown out after several years, and you have to spend money to fix the problem.
The Subaru vehicles provide free repairing of these components under its specific warranty. You do not have to pay them if damage occurs between 5 years.
You can take their free-of-cost service if issues come between 50,000 and 60,000 miles. The primary issue is that these automobiles are equipped with steel-type covers.
Their longevity is more than 5 to 6 years, and you do not need to replace them. The problem in them comes after 6 to 7 years of continuous driving.
You have to pay the company to get their services in this condition. These parts wear out after the warranty period, and the owner has to pay for the replacement procedure.
At what mileage do Subaru Head gaskets fail?
The original seal covers of the Subaru 2.5 engine are long-lasting, and you do not have to replace them frequently.
On average, it will last for about 130,000 miles to 155,000 miles without any issues. However, the failure in these components can come after 155,000 miles due to continuous driving.
Many people also extend this time with regular and scheduled maintenance. The scheduled replacement of coolant fluid can also increase their longevity.
Moreover, when you regularly replace the thermostat, these are less prone to failure or blown out.
The longevity also depends on the model of the SUV and the engine present. The gaskets will last for about 900,000 miles to 120,000 miles in older models of engines.
How long does it take to repair Subaru head gaskets?
The failure of this part is the major problem, and you have to wait for their replacement procedure. The taken varies from a few hours to several days depending upon the severity of the damage.
Normally minimum time required for this procedure is about 6 to 8 hours if the damage is less and there is no major issue.
On average, the maximum time the service centers take is about 4 to 5 days to complete the repairing process.
This time also includes the test drive to check their functionality and compatibility with engine components.
Moreover, the company representatives also update you about the progress and the specific situation at that time.
Do Subaru warranty cover head gaskets repair?
The Subaru offers different warranty plans, including extended programs under classic and gold plus plans.
The bumper-to-bumper warranty plan that comes under the gold plus plan covers the repair of head gaskets.
It means you can take your SUV to the service centers in case of any issue. In addition, the company provides free-of-cost replacement services under a specific warranty time.
This warranty provides free repair of these steel seals within 4 years or 40,000 miles.
What are the causes of the damaged head gaskets of Subaru?
These components wear out due to several causes, and you must control them to fix the problem.
Overheating
Overheating is a common issue in engine compartments that can cause the cracking or bending of the cylinder’s head.
The gaskets failed to seal the cylinders’ cracked ending and perform their function appropriately.
Moreover, the low levels of coolant and faulty radiator also cause overheating issues because there is no maintenance of internal temperature.
The problem becomes more server when you continue driving with overheated engines.
Faulty installation
The incorrect installation of these parts also increases the risk of their wear and tear. You should match their size with the opening of the cylinder.
Using wrongly sized seals cannot secure the combustion chamber appropriately and becomes faulty after some time.
You should purchase the correct sized gaskets according to the opening of the cylinders for their proper installation.
Aging
Aging is the contributing factor that can cause their failure. The damage in these parts occurs after a certain mileage, and you have to replace them.
The internal components of the steel seals also get damaged due to consecutive use.
Changes in temperature
The sudden changes or fluctuation in temperature also damages these seals, and they cannot seal the combustion chamber well.
Many people turn on the ignition and press the pedal to start the engine. The sudden temperature changes can cause them to wear out.
Moreover, the use of the start and stop button frequently to turn the engine on and off cause the fluctuation in temperature.
What are the common signs of damaged head gaskets?
You should not drive more if you face these signs because it can cause damage to whole components and systems. Instead, you should visit your nearby service centers when you see these signs and symptoms during driving.
Milky appearance of oil
You can see the milky or foamy type appearance on the side of the filler cap. You can see this sign while refilling your tank at the service stations.
The contaminated oil comes due to the addition of anti-freeze or coolant in the oil.
The anti-freeze gets mixed with the fuel, contaminates it, and gives a milky white appearance to it.
Overheating of engine
The blown-out gaskets can produce overheating in the engine compartment, which is harmful to its functioning.
The overheating occurs due to continuous burning of coolant or anti-freeze in the combustion chamber due to damaged seals.
The overheating issue also comes because the hot gases from the exhaust system come in contact with the coolant.
Decreased engine power
You can face loss of power, poor idling, and decreased engine performance during driving because of decreased air pressure in the combustion chamber.
The fuel comes out from the chamber due to poor seals, and the ignition mixture cannot produce enough power for the engine’s work.
You can face stalling issues during driving because of loss of power.
White smoke
The coolant and anti-freeze come into the combustion chamber due to damaged gaskets and starts to burn out.
Many people complain that they can see the white smoke from the exhaust system during driving which is a worrying situation for them.
This white smoke comes from the leakage of coolant into the combustion chamber.
How much does it cost to repair the head gaskets of Subaru?
The cost to repair these parts of your vehicles depends on the engine’s type, model, and configuration.
The average cost for a 2.5-engine Subaru ranges from $1400 to $1800. This cost also includes the price of new parts and labor costs.
The price tag increases with damaged timing belts, tensioners, water pumps, and seals. The average cost for adding these components is bout $600 to $700.
You have to pay the company more in case of damage to these parts.
How long will a Subaru head gasket last after repairing it?
The repaired head gaskets will last for a longer time in your SUVs. Most people say that the gaskets of their engine will last for a lifetime when they add new ones.
These can easily last for about more than 190,000 miles to 200,000 miles. It provides greater mileage with scheduled maintenance and careful driving.
You can prevent them from blow-out by following the service schedule.
Are Subarus known for blown head gaskets?
Most automobiles have internal combustion engines, which are susceptible to blowing out of head gaskets after several miles.
Usually, these components can easily last for about more than 151,000 miles. The issue is common in Subaru SUVs, which have a bad reputation due to blown-out seals.
The problem comes due to the poor configuration or design of the whole system. Moreover, the issue is common in these vehicles because of low-quality manufacturing material.
The company uses low-quality steel material that is at more risk of damage.
History of head gasket faults in Subaru
The company became worried due to these issues because the problem greatly affected its reputation and sale in the market.
2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 Subarus mostly commonly have the problem of blown-out head gaskets, and you should avoid these models.
In 2012, the company redesigned the 2.5 engine after several recalls. The new engines in these SUVs are EL25 2.5L, with fewer chances of being blown out.
The company started using three-layer steel seals to cover the cylinders that last for a longer time. As a result, the Subaru Forester and Outback are the two famous models that are reliable and have no problems.
Which Subaru models have head gasket problems?
Most of the models of these companies have an issue with cylinder seals. The issue most commonly exists in the trims that came before 2004.
The company started to fix the issue after 2004 and became successful in 2012 in fixing the problem.
The people avoided purchasing their vehicles in the market, and the company earned a bad reputation in the previous years.
Some specific models are prominent because of this issue. These models include outback, legacy, Impreza, and forester.
All of the new models of this company are equipped with high-quality materials that last longer and have more durability.
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