head gasket problem 2002 subaru outback

[tsmith]

So, I have a 2002 Subaru Outback with 153,000 miles on it.

 

A couple years ago I started smelling an odor from the engine. I brought it to the dealer and they said the gaskets were leaking (or valves- something like that - i'm not a mechanic).

 

I brought it to another mechanic for a second opinion and they said nothing was leaking. So I continued to drive it.

 

In the meantime, I'm noticing that the car would hiccup (slow down and then go faster) on occasion. Eventually it just stopped on the freeway and coasted to a stop.

 

A mechanic replaced the valves, timing belt, etc. (for only $890 - great deal). The odor went away and the hiccupping stopped.

 

So, fast forward two years. I'm feeling the same hicupping begin to occur, the smell is back and the car drives rough.

 

Brought it to the dealer and they said they didn't smell anything and just change the spark plug wires.

 

Brought it to another mechanic for a second opinion. He said there was a small leak in the head gasket but it is nothing to worry about. He agreed with changing the spark plugs which he did.

 

I indicated to this dealer that the scenario feels very familiar to the first head gasket failing and I'm afraid if I ignore the leaking head gasket that the car will eventually stall out on the freeway again.

 

He indicated to me that he felt the first time this happened, it was not due to the leaking head gasket but that the timing belt broke on the freeway and that is what ruined the valves. But what confuses me is that the hiccupping and the smell went away after the new head gasket.

 

Since the most recent repair of the wires, the car runs a bit smoother but not all the way.

 

Next morning after the new wires are installed, the engines runs incredibly rough and the check engine light goes on. Diagnostics indicated it was a cylinder - he tightened the wires and everything was fine.

 

Two days later, the engine light goes on again but engine is not really rough. Diagnostics indicate its the catalytic converter (which was replaced under warranty about 5 years go).

 

All in all, I'd say that the engine is still somewhat rough but better than before the wires. Not enough time has passed to see if the hicupping is still happening - it was only happening on occasion.

 

So, I need to ask those who know about this kind of thing:

 

1 - was the first head gasket which needed to be replaced due to (a) a broken timing belt (which was had been replaced and practically new) or ( the leak in the gasket/valve.

 

2 - Is the current leak in the head gasket something that needs to be fixed?

 

3 - Is this head gasket problem gone in the 2009 and 2010 models or does Subaru plan on living with this legacy (get it?) forever?

 

arghhhh

 

thank for any feedback which will help me to understand all this and make a decision!

 

3 -

[Gsir08]

blown headgaskets usually wont make the car stop running.

[nipper]

When was the O2 sensors last replaced, your are coming up for them and thats why you got a cat code.

 

 

nipper

[MilesFox]

a blown head gasket will not cause bad valves. but if the timing belt breaks, and bends the valves, the heads have to come off to make the repair, and thus new head gaskets upon reassembly

[idosubaru]

that's a lot of info.

 

the hesitation you're experiencing is probably ignition wire related. when the work is done they are removed and reinstalled...thereby "resetting" and temporarily masking the issue.

 

you need not only new ignition wires but your best bet is to install Subaru OEM wires and the same plugs that came with the car when it was new. These engines are not forgiving at all. I've seen hesitation and even nearly undrivable conditions on EJ motors (which you have) with new aftermarket ignition parts.

 

headgaskets on this motor will not cause any running problems until it runs out of coolant and overheats and blows up the motor. otherwise these engines actually run indefinitely if you keep filling the coolant up.

 

when the valves were done - new headgaskets had to be installed. it's very odd for the headgaskets to blow a second time unless they weren't done right. if the heads weren't surfaced, non-Subaru gaskets were used, or the coolant additive wasn't added that Subaru requires on this motor, that could be why your gaskets are leaking again. done right they should last the life of the vehicle.

[tsmith]

Thanks for the feedback.! When you say that I should keep the coolant level filled - is that the radiator? Or is there some other coolant that I need to keep filled?

 

thanks

[AWDfreak]

Thanks for the feedback.! When you say that I should keep the coolant level filled - is that the radiator? Or is there some other coolant that I need to keep filled?

 

thanks

 

In your Owner's Manual, there should be an area describing where the coolant reservoir is. That's where you fill up your coolant. As for the type of coolant, some say that the Genuine Subaru coolant is the best coolant to use. In addition, I would highly recommend you have a mechanic put in the Subaru cooling system conditioner, which helps seal up any leaks in the cooling system. (search WP-99 and you'll find out). Your Subaru dealerships should have both the cooling system conditioner and Genuine Subaru coolant available.