bearahu

What else could they put in?

Hello again, Well I'm still driving Dealer 1's 2006 Outback. They have now realised the block is warped, the heads are junk, and a whole lot of other parts need to be replaced. Basically it sounds like they are rebuilding the engine with new parts. The work is being done by their head tech rather than his son who did the first head gasket job. I've asked them to save all the parts so I can have a look at what happens when the cam shaft seizes at 65 mph. They've agreed to reimburse me for my rental car and I'm waiting to hear about the tow charge and over charge for the initial repair. I got a quote from the other Buffalo area dealer which was also $1000-$1500 less than what they charged me. I emailed SOA and they have been in touch with Dealer 1. I'm hoping this will all be resolved this week and that I can get a few more years out of my car. I'll let you know what the final result is. I would like to get the car thoroughly checjed out by someone who know's Subarus. Any recommendations in and around NYC? Thanks again for all the support and advice; this message board is one of the best things about owning a subaru.

So here is the latest. I spoke with Dealer 2 who says cam caps were installed wrong and block is warped; Dealer 1 has the car but says block is fine and that if the caps had been installed wrong, car would not have made it 50 miles never mind 500. They are waiting to get heads back from machine shop and just want to make me happy. I got quotes for the original work from other dealers who came in $1500- $2000 less. Dealer 1 is looking in to this and lent me an 06 Outback. Is Dealer 1 correct? Would this problem have shown up right away if the caps were mixed up? If the block is warped what will happen when they reinstall it?

Thank you for all this advice, along with photos no less!! Dealer 2 explained his diagnosis in the same way as a97obw. He pointed out that the caps have to be put back in the right order and I'll be picking up paper work from him before I go to Dealer 1 who did the original head gasket 10 days ago. Would these bolts have been removed during a head gasket job and therefore put back in the wrong order by Dealer 1? In that case wouldn't Dealer 1 owe me a new engine as they did the work wrong and should really know this? Small claims court is a drag but at least I'll have some nice photos to show the judge. If they do offer to replace the engine, should I let them or does anyone know a good shop in the Buffalo NY area? Does talking to Subaru USA make any sense? Any further advice is greatly appreciated.

Hi, This site is great. People here are very generous with their time and knowledge; thank you. I have a 98 OBW with 166000 miles on it. I recently noticed the signs of head gasket failure and immediately took the car to the nearest dealer. They diagnosed the common head gasket problem and charged me $3500.00 to remove and repair them, including thermostat, water pump, timing belt, spark plugs and wires, work on the valves, oil pan, seperator cover, main oil seals. One week and about 500 miles (and no warning lights) later I was driving on the highway 185 miles from home, heard a crack/bang sound from passenger side. The warning lights came on and car lost power. I pulled over to find oil all over rh side of engine. I called a tow to next dealership, left car and went off in rental. Dealer 2 who has the car, took engine out and took it apart. He mentioned that oil was leaking from seperator cover but ultimately says the right cam was oil starved and siezed causing the cam gear to break. He also says the cam cover was installed backward and things this caused the problem. Block is now warped. Dealer 1 doesn't think this makes sense and is having car flat bedded back to their shop. I don't know a lot about cars; does Dealer 2's diagnosis make sense? Is Dealer 1 setting up to deny fault? Any advice? Thanks