Outback: years of head gasket issue ?

[craigmcd]

Hi, we are well aware of the head gasket issue on older Subarus, having purchased an engine for our '99 Outback some years ago. Can someone please clarify which years of Outback are effected by this plague ? Is there a specific engine to watch out for ?

 

We are looking at buying our 5th Subi, a 1999 30th Anniversary Ltd Outback with the 2.5 engine --- does that have any known issues ? It is low miles.

 

PS: our daughter just rolled our '99 Outback, she landed upside down in a snow filled ditch in the Adirondacks, and walked away unscathed. The car is in very good shape except the top is caved somewhat, but the insurance will total it. Not happy.

 

Thanks,

Craig

[987687]

Can someone please clarify which years of Outback are effected by this plague ? Is there a specific engine to watch out for ?

 

yes.

 

A friend of mine runs a shop and has had quite a few subarus up to 2010 in for headgaskets and blown up engines.

There's no getting away from it with a 2.5, just do the headgaskets properly with good headgaskets and it won't be a problem.

[craigmcd]

Thanks RAlly, I just saw the lengthy thread with practically the same question posted earlier today.

 

I will read those responses.

 

Thanks all.

C

[Subaru_dude]

If you find a '96 with a 5spd, it will have the ej22.

[roadsubiedog]

you can buy the wrecked subie back from the insurance company for next to nothing and have a parts car . I would never buy a subie with a 2.5 motor unless the owner could show me a receipt for a head gasket job. where I live near Reno there are a lot of these for around 3 grand.

 

otherwise get an older subie with the 2.2. we have a 97 legacy L with a 2.2 with 263000 miles on it and it runs great ( knock on wood. it gets around 33mpg and is more quiet ride than the outbacks we have had.

[mallio]

I have seen 2.5 fail 20k after a poor head job. I have 2003 Subaru 1st failure 44k repaired by dealer, 2nd failure at 77k,  Then they recommended new heads and six star gaskets. Machine the block. I would guess they spent at least 2X the time on 2nd rebuild. It is funny after there is no warrenty they are all experts how to update the engine!