2007 subaru forester head gasket replacement cost

There’s no specific timeframe for head gasket failure. But with proper engine oil and coolant maintenance, and an engine that runs at optimal temperatures, head gaskets can generally last at least 100,000 miles.   

2. Will A Head Gasket Repair Fluid Or Sealer Work?

The answer depends on how the head gasket fails. 

If a head gasket leak turns up after your engine overheated, then a liquid sealer won’t work. If the engine didn’t overheat and the leak is between the cooling system and combustion chamber, then there’s a chance the repair fluid can work.

The important thing to remember is that this type of fix is not permanent. 

3. Is Fixing A Blown Head Gasket Worth It?

Because the head gasket repair cost can sometimes be restrictive, there will be situations where a head gasket replacement might not be worth the trouble, like:

• You have an old car and were planning on getting a new one
• The head gasket repair cost is excessive, either due to premium parts needed or intensive labor charges

So, while getting a head gasket repair is crucial, there may be circumstances where alternatives like replacing the engine, or even purchasing a new vehicle might be more worthwhile in the long term. 

4. How Is A Head Gasket Replaced?

A head gasket replacement is a complicated and tedious process, which is why it’s not recommended as a DIY. 

Subaru is a brand loved by many drivers for making the best off-road performance cars. The Japanese manufacturer has always had a special place in the industry, but the Imprezza models of the 90s made Subaru a legend.

There is another thing that Subaru really dislikes being known for, and that’s the systematic head gasket failure. For decades, Subaru boxer engines have been failing just out of the warranty period, leaving the owners with expensive repair costs.

To replace a Subaru Head Gasket, you’ll need to spend between $1,500 and $3,500. The job should take around 12 hours to complete, and with the average hourly rate being $80 – $100, that’s at least $1,000 in labor. On top of that, you need to add a few hundred dollars for parts, plus more if you plan on replacing the water pump and the timing belt.

Subaru Head Gasket Replacement Cost Breakdown

Replacing the head gasket on a Subaru is divided by the cost of labor and the cost of parts. The price range varies greatly depending on the dealership you choose and the type of Subaru you drive. 

With the service of the head gasket, the following parts should also be changed:

• Head gaskets – $100
• Thermostat gaskets – $5
• Intake manifold gaskets – $10
• Coolant crossover pipe seals – $10
• Exhaust manifold gaskets – $40
• Valve cover gaskets – $5
• Coolant – $30
• Engine oil – $30

The total cost of parts:  $200 – $300

I would advise changing the water pump and timing belts while you’re at it. Servicing them is very expensive but if you squeeze it in with the head gasket change, you’ll only have to pay a few hundred dollars extra.

Mechanics charge by the hour, and the average cost is between $80 and $100 per hour. The service should take at least 12 hours, which puts the labor cost at $1,200. However, the real cost is always significantly higher than that.

Subiesmith of Lakewood Colorado charges the following for Subaru head gasket replacement:

• Non-turbo Subaru from 1996 to 1999 – $2,000
• Non-turbo Subaru from 2000 to 2012 – $1,800
• Turbo Subaru – $3,300
• Six-cylinder Subaru – $4,800
• 4-cylinder Subaru with a timing chain – $3,500

These costs include parts and labor, so you can deduct a couple of hundred dollars to get the real labor cost. Most Subarus are standard, non-turbo four-cylinder boxers, which means the total repair cost is going to be roughly $2,000.

Why Is Subaru Service So Expensive?

The cost of replacing the Subaru head gasket is high because it’s a very complex and time-consuming task. It doesn’t help that Subaru uses the boxer engine design that only a Subaru mechanic really knows how to work on.

With the combination of the difficult repair, Japanese import, and a relatively limited number of mechanics, you get a recipe for a very expensive repair.

To put the high cost into perspective, changing the head gasket on a 4-cylinder Ford will cost $2,000 at most, but more realistically $1,100 to $1,400. That is half the cost of the Subaru service. 

Servicing a Ford V8 is more in line with Subaru’s 4-cylinder boxers with the cost ranging from $1,400 to $2,200, but even then Subaru has a significantly higher upper limit.

Symptoms of Head Gasket Failure

Head gasket failure allows coolant and oil to mix which is very dangerous for the engine. It’s accompanied by a number of symptoms:

1. Check engine light turns on.
2. White exhaust from the exhaust.
3. Engine oil contamination.
4. Coolant contamination.
5. Coolant loss.
6. Overheating.
7. Engine failure.

1. Check Engine Light

The check engine light is always the first sign of vehicle problems. Subaru does not actually have an error code specific to the blown head gasket problem.

Instead, the codes will point to one of the other symptoms with cooling fan operation and temperature issues, misfire, overheating, etc.

2. White Smoke

The white smoke coming from the exhaust is the primary symptom of head gasket failure. The coolant will seep into the cylinders and mix with gas and oil. When it’s burned during the combustion, it will create white smoke. 

In the early stages, this symptom may not be easily noticeable, but if you step on the gas you’ll see a lot of white smoke coming out the back.

3. Engine Oil Contamination

The head gasket creates a seal between the coolant ducts and the cylinder portion of the engine. Its failure will allow coolant to seep through and mix with oil.

If you pull the oil dipstick out and notice that the oil has an inconsistent viscosity and a frothy or milky look, it means it has been contaminated by coolant.

4. Coolant Contamination

The engine oil would get contaminated by coolant, but it also happens the other way around. Checking the coolant for contamination is easier, as you can just look into the coolant reservoir.

If the liquid is bubbly, murky, or looks greasy, it’s likely that coolant mixed with engine oil and cross-contaminated.

5. Coolant Loss

Because some of the coolant is going to mix with oil and some of it so going to be burnt with gasoline, if the problem persists long term you’ll experience coolant loss.

In most circumstances, a car should not lose a drop of coolant between changes. If you’re noticing that the levels of coolant are decreasing, first check for leaks underneath the vehicle, and then you can suspect the head gasket.

6. Overheating

The decreased effectiveness of both coolant and engine oil will lead to overheating of the engine. The coolant is responsible for the heat transfer, but the engine oil does the same in part with lubrication.

When the two substances are mixed together, they’re going to be less effective and you’ll notice that the temperature gauge will move from the center. Avoid letting it hit the very end as that will cause the engine to cook.

7. Engine Damage

If left unaddressed, a blown head gasket is guaranteed to cause engine damage. The problem is not good for the whole engine block and the catalytic converter, so you’re left with the option of doing the expensive repair, selling the car as-is, or running it until it fails completely.

Best Aftermarket Subaru Head Gasket Option

The OEM Subaru head gaskets are not only expensive, but they’re also of the same quality as the original, meaning that they’ll inevitably fail again. These concerns have led a lot of owners to buy aftermarket head gaskets instead. 

FEL-PRO PT Head Gasket

The FEL-PRO gasket is made specifically for vehicles with head gasket problems and is capable of sealing even with imperfect surfaces.

The seal has a proprietary coating that significantly improves the effectiveness of the seal, while the layered stainless steel construction gives the gasket the necessary durability.

The Fel-Pro company has been in the business for over 100 years and is a reliable source for Subaru head gaskets. If you’re looking for an alternative to OEM Subaru gaskets, Fel-Pro is the way to go.

Why Subaru Head Gaskets Fail

Subaru head gaskets failure is caused by a combination of factors: 

1. Poor gasket material.
2. Boxer engine design.
3. Open deck engine design.
4. Improper coolant.

1. Gasket Material

For years, Subaru has used a single-layer graphite head gasket for their vehicles. While it’s a good choice in terms of head warpage tolerance, it’s proven to last only 120 thousand miles without failures.

2. Boxer Engine Design

In a boxer engine, pistons are mounted horizontally, moving back and forth like boxer gloves. Its main benefit is that it isn’t as tall as a regular vertically-oriented engine, so it can be mounted lower in the car and improve balance.

However, the horizontal layout comes with its drawbacks. Like a bottle laid on its side, a boxer engine will pool some engine oil on the lower side. The oil will cause a temperature difference, that will warp the engine gradually over thousands of miles.

3. Open Deck Design

When we think of a typical engine block, we visualize a slab of metal with large cylinder bores and some coolant holes around it. 

However, a Subaru engine has an open deck design, where the cylinders appear to be free-floating inside the block, with a ring of space dividing them.

While this design has some benefits, it’s structurally the weakest. Subaru doesn’t use the best materials for it, and on top of that, the boxer layout aggravates the problem even further. The result is a rather delicate engine that is prone to warping and failure.

4. Improper Coolant

The last point has to be put on the owners, as many use whichever coolant they’ve got on hand for their Subaru. 

Unless the Subaru-approved type of coolant is used, it can lead to gasket degradation and failure. You need to buy Subaru’s overpriced OEM coolant, but at least filling it with the proper type is going to help significantly.

FAQs

Will Subaru pay for head gasket repair?

Subaru will pay for the head gasket repair if it occurs within the warranty period of 5 years or 60,000 miles. However, the problem with the head gasket is that it almost always fails outside of the warranty period, and because of that, the owner has to pay for the repairs.

Is it worth repairing my head gasket?

This question is very difficult to answer for someone else. Without the repair, the Subaru won’t be usable as a vehicle, but the repair costs $1,500+ which is a very significant sum. 

If I knew I’d keep the car for another 50,000 – 100,000 miles, I would repair the head gasket, otherwise, I’d probably sell it with a discount and go with a more reliable brand. 

How long does it take to replace a head gasket on a Subaru?

The average time for the head gasket repair is 12 hours, which is 2 work days minimum. You should keep in mind that with major repairs, your car will often be placed on a waiting list, so the job may take even a couple of weeks if the mechanic is booked.

At what mileage do Subaru head gaskets fail?

Subaru head gaskets will fail between 100,000 and 150,000 miles. The problem has been plaguing Subaru vehicles for years, but it has been addressed partially by the manufacturer.

What year did Subaru stop having head gasket problems?

2009 is marked as the last year with major head gasket problems, but even now the owners are divided, with some claiming that head gasket continues to be an issue. The 1999 – 2009 models are affected without a doubt.

Can you change a head gasket on Subaru without removing the engine?

I wouldn’t say it’s impossible, but properly replacing the head gasket on a boxer engine without removing it is going to be a very difficult task. 

The problem is that the engine bay is very cramped and there’s not going to be enough room to properly work on the heads along with other challenges it makes. That’s why it’s recommended to pull the engine out and work on it that way.

Is buying a used Subaru a good idea?

As with every other car, it really depends on the circumstances. Even if the head gasket problem is unavoidable, if you can get the Subaru for a price that leaves you with a couple of grand to spend on the head gasket repair, it can still be worth it.

Are Subarus expensive to fix?

Subaru is among the most expensive non-luxury brands to repair. The boxer engine can’t be serviced by just anyone, so the select mechanics that work on them can charge a premium price.

Summary

A blown head gasket is Subaru’s Achilles heel. It’s a major issue and one that is very expensive to repair, with the cost ranging from $1,500 to $3,500. 

Symptoms of head gasket failure include white smoke coming from the exhaust, oil and coolant contamination, and engine overheating. If your Subaru is experiencing any of these symptoms, diagnose the problem immediately as head gasket failure could lead to significant engine damage.

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