2004 Subaru HG ?

[buster]

I found a Forester with 129k miles that was well serviced by Subaru. Timing belt was done. Manual Trans. I have no information about the HG other than the dealer that has this vehicle said it was thoroughly inspected by Subaru. The dealership that did the work on the car wont' tell me what was done or not done because I don't own it yet.

My questions are:

1. How common (data if available) are 04 HG issues?

2. If the problem has not shown itself by now with 129k, is that a good indication it should be OK?

I sold the Accord and am looking for a used car. I just need it to last a good 2 years then I'm going to pick up something new. Maybe sooner.

HG is an expensive repair. I was quoted $1,800 by a dealer near me.

 

[michaelluscher]

Originally Posted By: buster
I have no information about the HG other than the dealer that has this vehicle said it was thoroughly inspected by Subaru. The dealership that did the work on the car wont' tell me what was done or not done because I don't own it yet.

HG is an expensive repair. I was quoted $1,800 by a dealer near me.


I dont like the tone of the selling dealer, I'd walk..

 

[ksp7498]

This is a popular question about EJ25 Subarus.

1.HG failure is common on these engines, especially on earlier years ('96-'04 or so) but it can happen on all EJ25s. They made incremental improvements over the years that slowly reduced the issue but it was never fully solved.

2. No, going 129k so far doesn't tell you anything. The issue usually didn't happen at low mileage, it was often at 100k+. I had a '99 Forester and the headgaskets failed at 143k. The only way you can be sure they won't fail is if they have already been repaired WITH the strengthened STI gasket.

I wouldn't necessarily avoid the car, they really are great vehicles and mine was very reliable other than the headgaskets. But I would absolutely get a mechanic to inspect it before you bought it, and don't trust the dealer to disclose if the HGs are currently leaking. The headgaskets on these engines almost always leak oil externally before they fail so a mechanic will be able to tell their condition easily.

 

[NMP]

Go to ForesterForum.com for good information about the HG problem. Supposedly the problem was solved after the 2003 model year. I bought a brand new 2006 and maintained exactly by the book. At 83,000 miles a used oil analysis turned up possible coolant in oil. I had been adding a cup or less to the radiator overflow every 6-8 weeks for about 6 months.

I traded it in on a 2011 Ford F-150. I saw the new owner about 6 weeks after I sold the Foz: he had already done both gaskets.

I liked the Foz but I LOVE the F-150. What a machine.

 

[ksp7498]

Originally Posted By: AITG
Go to ForesterForum.com for good information about the HG problem. Supposedly the problem was solved after the 2003 model year. I bought a brand new 2006 and maintained exactly by the book. At 83,000 miles a used oil analysis turned up possible coolant in oil. I had been adding a cup or less to the radiator overflow every 6-8 weeks for about 6 months.

I traded it in on a 2011 Ford F-150. I saw the new owner about 6 weeks after I sold the Foz: he had already done both gaskets.

I liked the Foz but I LOVE the F-150. What a machine.


Yeah when they "solved" the problem in early 2004 they basically just starting requiring regular treatments with "Coolant Conditioner" (which was really just a Subaru-labeled bottle of junky mechanic-in-a-can radiator stop leak) and claimed the issue was solved, but it was just a band-aid to fix the symptoms, not the problem.

 

[buster]

Originally Posted By: michaelluscher
Originally Posted By: buster
I have no information about the HG other than the dealer that has this vehicle said it was thoroughly inspected by Subaru. The dealership that did the work on the car wont' tell me what was done or not done because I don't own it yet.

HG is an expensive repair. I was quoted $1,800 by a dealer near me.


I dont like the tone of the selling dealer, I'd walk..


The car was fully serviced by Subaru right before going to this dealer, so I think it's ok.

Well, it seems it's a hit or miss with tese cars. ughhhh

 

[buster]

Last two services

111,318
Subaru Of Cherry Hill
Cherry Hill, NJ
856-330-1500
subaruofcherryhill.c
om
Maintenance inspection completed
Electrical system checked
Tires rotated
Brake fluid flushed/changed
Timing belt replaced
Brakes checked
Oil and filter changed

01/31/2013
127,236 Subaru Of Cherry Hill
Cherry Hill, NJ
856-330-1500
subaruofcherryhill.c
om
Spark plug(s) replaced
Oil and filter changed
Four wheel alignment performed
Front wiper blades/refills replaced
Engine checked
Four tires mounted and balanced
Engine/powertrain computer/module checked

 

[JTK]

Buster, that's right about the mileage where the HGs will need to be replaced if they already hadn't.

We've got a few Subes in the family and a brother of mine buys WELL used ones, repairs them and either keeps or sells. He can about pull an EJ253 blind-folded at this point. Every used one he's bought needed HGs. You should be able to find a local shop who's familiar with Subarus to do a full HG replacement for a grand or less. Bubbly coolant, or oil and/or coolant external leakage are the typical first indicators of HG failure.

More importantly, be sure to check the rear subframe assembly on that Forester. They're known to rust right through and would be extremely expensive to pay a shop to replace.

 

[rationull]

Since it's such a common problem and a relatively easy for (for a mechanic) seems like if you like the car it'd be worth getting it checked out and seeing how much it would cost to replace the HGs at an independent shop. If the dealer can't confirm they've been done, just factor that repair into the price you're willing to pay. Assuming the rest of the vehicle checks out of course.

 

[cptbarkey]

its easy enough for you to test it yourself at the dealer.

1. turn it on, look for white smoke from the tailpipe.
2. while running, check the coolant overflow for bubbles after its warmed up.
3. check the oil cap for any nasty snot looking crud.
4. does it overheat?

any of those indicate a head gasket failure. there are more symptoms, but without proper tools you cant tell much further.

if you are set on the vehicle, buy an extended warranty.

in the future if the head gasket does fail, budget 1300-1500 at a service shop, or $300 for doing it yourself (parts only, not including tools). you might as well re-do the timing belt/water pump at the same time, hence the higher parts budget of $300~

 

[buster]

^ Thanks cpt, good to know.

I'm now thinking of holding off on a Subaru until I can get the one I really want (CrossTrek). As much as I would prefer to have this vehicle over the Nissan Xterra I'm looking at, I'm just really worried the HG will be an issue at some point.