hunterjay Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 New guy here. My 08 Impeza started throwing codes last week. First was P0028 (Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Range/Performance Bank 2). OK, got a new battery, oil change, and changed the plugs. 4 days later another code - cylinder 1 misfire. I called Subaru and made an appointment for this Friday. Sunday it started with the high temp light and the heat wouldn't work. Brought down to Subaru and dropped it off (maybe a 7 mile drive). Got a call from the dealer that the head gasket was blown (which should be covered under the extended warranty). He said he had to do some other work, but it shouldn't be more than a couple of hundred $$ (the service manager is a friend so I don't think he'd sell me stuff I didn't need). My question is what would cause a head gasket to go? I service my car regularly and this is the first inkling of any issue (beside the transmission being replaced at 45k miles - again under warranty). Any idea what wouldn't be covered under the extended warranty that would need to be done? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 (edited) they typically leak coolant externally when the head gasket fails. if you don't catch it soon enough they will loose coolant and overheat. it's likely nothing caused it, you were just unlucky. maybe the extended warranty caused the headgasket to go. "Hey he's got that warranty that pays good on headgaskets, i think they're leaking!" LOL there have been a few 05-09 headgasket failures. running a vehicle hot will blow the headgasket on any engine so if it was run hot that may have made it worse, but more than likely even if that was the case it probably overheated because it was low on coolant...because of a failing headgasket anyway. in general these motors don't often have check engine lights associated with headgasket failure, that's actually. i'm sure it can happen but i've only ever seen it like once....maybe. you don't mention how many miles are on it but i'd: reseal the valve covers adjust the valves timing belt i'd definitely check the cam/crank/oil pump - if they're wet - replace/reseal them. somewhere around 75,000 miles i'd start considering replacing the timing pulleys/tensioner. they are not 200,000 mile parts and with a 100,000 mile timing belt you're not going to be back in there again for a long time so i'd want it to be ready for the next 100,000. but having it done at subaru limits your options since the pulleys and tensioner are very expensive from Subaru. but they could at least inspect any of the pulleys. being an 08 they should be fine. the lower timing sprocket (the one with teeth) is by far the most likely to fail and runs about $59 from Subaru. The Subaru dealers I know of charge $450-$699 for just replacing the belt only, so now is a good time to throw a new one on there. It has to be removed to do the headgaskets, so it's *zero* extra labor to install a new belt - except the time to go grab the new one off the shelf. Edited November 8, 2011 by grossgary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabaroo Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Grossgary is correct thats the sprocket that went on mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Grossgary is correct thats the sprocket that went on mine. the additional risk of the sprocket is that once it seizes (they just loose grease over time, like all bearings), the belt can't go anywhere since it's a sprocket and has teeth the belt interlocks with - something will break and let loose and that means bent valves on an interference engine. the other two idler pulleys, particularly the passengers side one, aren't as bad because they are flat and the outside of the belt just rides against them, no teeth or anything, just smooth. so if they seize, the belt can still glide over them. i've seen those seized with the belt still in tact, just sliding across them. even know of a car not ready to be repaired that drove 1,500 miles that way - don't recommend it but i've seen it survive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterjay Posted November 9, 2011 Author Share Posted November 9, 2011 I appreciate the responses. I currently have 80k miles on it. They replaced all the gaskets, thermostat, V belt and an ignition coil. Wish I new about the timing belt beforehand. I'm thinking I got the check engine light (P0028) because of dirty oil (due to the coolant getting into it - not due to lack of maintenance). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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