2015 Subaru 2.0 Head Gasket Failure at 136K Miles

[MFHORN]

The situation is the classic do you want to spend 2x the value of the vehicle to fix it. Figure the car was worth $5k in good condition.

Needs a $10k repair, which still seems high for a subaru engine swap. (The $15k dealer quote is way outta line).

What does the consumer do?

-Doesnt get a 2nd opinion
-Gets mad that a 10 year old car has a problem
-Spends $30k on a new car
-Rationalizes the new car saying "toyotas don't break and will be much better" becuase it's a toyota.

Meanwhile the giant service department at the toyota dealership continues to rake in piles of cash.....

And the Toyota dealer paid $500 trade in, fixes it for $1k, puts it on the lot for $10k.

Maybe they have the money to buy a new car - good for them. And that Prius will run forever, and therefore pay itself off in the long run.

 

[Donald]

Why go to a dealer after the warranty has expired. Trusted Indy mechanic.

 

[PF52]

And that Prius will run forever, and therefore pay itself off in the long run.

Unless it has a HG failure, like the post before yours mentions.

 

[edyvw]

I looked up the N52 as well, and its priced the same as a Corolla engine, which means its good!
The used engine supply should be proportional to the number of vehicles sold, so unless a car is very rare, it doesn't matter.
Also given that most people aren't tracking their 3 series or their Crosstrek, it seems that "trackability" is an irrelevant metric for their purchase decisions and engine "stoutness" in the real world.

Most people don’t track cars that are made to be tracked.
However, track is very good place to see what vehicles are stout, as enthusiasts like strong, durable cars that don’t require a lot of investment. Two vehicles rule travk: Miata and 3 series.
As for Subaru, seeing one on track today is like waiting Betelgeuse to become supernova.

 

[mt23]

It could have been the pcv union piece under the AC compressor. Depending how much coolant was in the oil, this could be inexpensive back on the road

 

[Dave Hess]

I bought a new 2025 Subaru and if it needs a head gasket at almost 140K miles I would probably just get rid of car.

Yeah but I agree it’s an unexpected and expensive repair for OP’s aunt.

 

[PF52]

As for Subaru, seeing one on track today is like waiting Betelgeuse to become supernova.

So what does that mean? Common, or uncommon?

 

[edyvw]

So what does that mean? Common, or uncommon?

Uncommon. There is saying: the most common thing you can find on the track is Subaru head gasket.

 

[Rand]

Uncommon. There is saying: the most common thing you can find on the track is Subaru head gasket.

which isnt from a fb20.. so not relevant to this thread besides random subaru bashing.. a bitog favorite passtime

you can lump me in the opinion camp of possibly scammed.
HG's on FB series is no more common than any engine.

 

[Passport1]

track is very good place to see what vehicles are stout, as enthusiasts like strong, durable cars that don’t require a lot of investment.

100%

Long time ago mine looked like this but was painted BRG (British Racing Green) and was SCCA sanctioned formula V.

Classic Cars

 

[SC Maintenance]

Unfortunate for your aunt. I would be more upset about a Kia dealer that can't fix a vacuum link under warranty. I would call Kia corporate.

Its good that you helped her out.

10 year old engines break. I burnt a valve on a Ford 4.6 at just over 100K. Dealer said "need new engine for more than car was worth" Found a guy to do the head. Engine had to come out - the head bolts were too long and too close to the firewall to get the head off in the car, or I would have DIY.

 

[edyvw]

which isnt from a fb20.. so not relevant to this thread besides random subaru bashing.. a bitog favorite passtime

you can lump me in the opinion camp of possibly scammed.
HG's on FB series is no more common than any engine.

I was answering a member who, for whatever reason, brought in BMW into this.
As for whether it is or is it not, who knows? They changed traded in vehicle.

 

[scrllock]

Uncommon. There is saying: the most common thing you can find on the track is Subaru head gasket.

I see them all the time. BRZ are fine, it's the ones with turbos that blow up. This goes for 3-series too.

 

[edyvw]

I see them all the time. BRZ are fine, it's the ones with turbos that blow up.

LOL, really, BRZ? They come until rod bearings find their way out.

 

[scrllock]

I see quite a few BRZ regulars at Gingerman and Grattan. I've never seen one fail on track. I'm sure it happens but the owners are not nearly as paranoid about it as say N54/N55.

WRX/STI though, almost a guarantee they leave on a trailer.

 

[Dave Hess]

I see quite a few BRZ regulars at Gingerman and Grattan. I've never seen one fail on track. I'm sure it happens but the owners are not nearly as paranoid about it as say N54/N55.

WRX/STI though, almost a guarantee they leave on a trailer.

Are you a Subaru mechanic ?

 

[scrllock]

Are you a Subaru mechanic ?

No, but I do have decent vision as long as I'm wearing glasses.

 

[edyvw]

.

 

[edyvw]

I see quite a few BRZ regulars at Gingerman and Grattan. I've never seen one fail on track. I'm sure it happens but the owners are not nearly as paranoid about it as say N54/N55.

WRX/STI though, almost a guarantee they leave on a trailer.

Then, they are not pushing it. Between that and RTV on previous versions, I cannot remember when I saw one here.
Not sure how they are comparable. N54 can sustain 700hp with internals. And both has easy solutions to too much G force. But I yet to see one that doe snot have drastically modified suspension to fail.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

There is something wrong with this story, head gaskets on these engines are not that common but if it does need them it is not a huge job and not too difficult. If the engine is knocking a short block is dirt cheap for these and even if the heads are shot on top of that they are only 500ea, doing a short block on these is an afternoons work.
Where they are getting 15K from I have no idea. I am working on one of these cars a 2014 this weekend for a failed seat belt, it has over 220K with no failed HG.

https://parts.northendsubaru.com/p/...n/Short-Block-Engine/66757357/10103AC740.html

https://parts.northendsubaru.com/a/...014530__6023269/CYLINDER-HEAD/G13-006-02.html

Thanks for bringing some sanity to this thread, Trav. This is literally the first FA or FB I’ve personally heard or seen of with a head gasket issue.

Sounds to me like either the dealership didn’t do the maintenance they claimed or this is just a flat-out scammership.

OP, what happened to the Subaru when you brought home that other thing?