2010 Impreza Outback Sport Known Issues

[zubricki]

Hi everyone,

 

New to the forum, new to Subaru's actually.  I'm in the market for a new ride and have been attracted to the Subaru wagons based on my needs in a car.  Found a 2010 Impreza Outback Sport on CL that fits what I'm looking for. http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/cto/5740782979.html

 

Being new to the Subaru brand I've tried to do my homework on this model and am finding mostly good things.  I figured this would likely be the best place to ask about known issues with the Impreza Outback Sport though.  A couple things I came across (not sure if they apply or not):

 

1. Burning Oil  - Read about the lawsuit and how several engines burned oil that lead to some pretty serious problems.  I know the lawsuit didn't include 2010 models but figured I'd ask.
2. Head Gasket Issues -  Came across a few mentions about head gaskets blowing out early but couldn't find what years they were referring to.

Of course any other known issues that are out there would be great as well (although I'm hoping there are none!).  Thanks in advance for the help, with any luck I'll be using this forum more often in the near future!

[Flat4Power]

Well, I own an '09 impreza that's pretty much identical to yours. At 163,000km my head gasket went on the passengers side. Looks like it developed the problem from the combustion side.

 

As far as the oil consumption goes, I change my oil every 4500km and add 1 litre of oil in between every oil change since new.

 

I'm at 190,000 km, changed the head gaskets myself, swapped to fel-pro gaskets and arp head studs for peace of mind and ease of installation. Keep in mind I drive this car very aggressively...I mean it gets put to the floor every day I drive it which is a mix of hwy and city. I do a lot of maintenance to this car and don't abuse it through neglect, but treat it like a toy. All fluids are kept pretty much right at the full line.

 

I just had to change my transmission recently. 5mt...picked up a used one and all is good now. In its defence, I replaced my clutch when changing the headgaskets and the clutch had a defect. Something was wrong with the material and it shuddered badly after break in. It was replaced and it's smooth now but there was a period there where I was forced to drive the car to work like that until I got all the parts in order and made time to pull my engine to make the swap happen. It was really rough but likely led to the early demise of the transmission having a failed bearing in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. 1st and 5th were only ok.

 

I want to buy a new car but literally cannot convince myself to like anything other then what I have (except the sti of course). This is an awesome car and went with no major repairs until 163,000 km.

 

Even with these issues I've had, there is still no other car I'd rather drive.

 

Hopefully this is the info you were looking for.

[Flat4Power]

I have heard the 5mt could have a bit of a problem though. Not certain but I've heard rumors about its durability.

[zubricki]

Are head gaskets something that can be replaced?  The only experience I've had with head gaskets was them blowing, the car filling with smoke, and the engine left not able to be repaired.  I thought it completely ruined the engine.  Seems like a few people have had the head gaskets go bad and then either get them replaced or even do the work themselves.  Any signs they may be on the way out?  Is it recommended to just replace them with a better set? 

[matt167]

generally yes, head gaskets are replaced. They only destroy the engine if you overheat it, and then continue to cook it by driving with blown gaskets.. IF Subaru head gaskets are leaking ( Not as common on cars after 2008 ) then it is mostly an external weep. You can keep it going as long as you keep the radiator full of coolant, or the recomendation is keep it going until the timing set is due for replacement ( every 105k miles, or 105 months ). And that's only if you have the external leak.. Subaru Coolant conditioner should also be used

[zubricki]

Thanks everyone for the great information.  Looks the Impreza OBS I'm looking at will be coming right up on that timing belt which I suspect is also a good time to get the head gaskets redone.  I looked at what that job involves and think its best left up to a shop in my case (I'm a weekend warrior mechanic and am comfortable around engines, but this seems like pretty involved considering all the parts that need to be removed just to start the job).  Does anyone have a ballpark figure for what a timing belt, head gasket, and water pump job would run?  My best guess is 2-3K but that's just an educated guess.  I still like the car, but want to know what I might be getting myself into.

 

Also, if I take a look at this car its my understanding any head gasket leaks should be pretty obvious (i.e. external leaking oil and/or coolant from around gaskets).  Any other obvious signs?

[matt167]

Yup under the car. just take a look at where the block meets the cylinder heads. If it's dry under both, it is really a waste to do gaskets. It would be around the $2,500 mark... a 2010 should not have the issue.

 

Timing set, you just pull the radiator and then everything is there for you. Being an auto, the hardest part is getting the balancer off but you can buy or make the Subaru holder tool.

[zubricki]

Thanks for help matt167.  Just for clarification, replacing timing belt, water pump, AND head gaskets is up around $2500?  The local dealer lists the timing belt and a few other items (105k service package) at $675.  I'm assuming water pump could boost that into the $1000 range.  Is the extra cost due to pulling the engine to do the head gaskets?

[idosubaru]

Here's what I recommend:
1. Replace the timing components now

2. Don't replace the headgaskets now - wait for symptoms - if you do have to replace them, then at that time, install a new timing belt. 

 

There's no guarantee they'll fail, I wouldn't open it all up for something that's a non-issue. 

Also - there's nearly zero risk - these engines have a very specific failure mode - they start leaking slowly and gradually get worse over 10's of thousands of miles.  You'll have years from initial onset to needing replacement - plenty of time to plan.

Normally you'll notice some wet spots under the car on the driveway or while changing the oil.  It starts very slowly, just weeping, making the dust and grime wet, not even flowing, moving, or dripping.  Then slowly gets worse. 

Your year is usually oil - which if you never let it get low - can drive 50,000 miles with it leaking.  no symptoms or issues. 

 

You can check them now before purchase - they always leak in the same way/areas.

Keep the electrical system in sharp condition, no corrossion around the battery - it is speculated this encourages headgasket issues. 

 

You don't want to just relace the timing belt - but the entire timing components - belt, pulleys, tensioner, and with quality japanese parts.

 

A complete timing component and headgasket job price is $2k - $3k dependent on parts pricing and local rates.

 

When you go to repair it:

1. resurface the heads no matter what.  a complete head valve job, pressure test is unecessary but often sold or "required", and drives price up significntly for somethign entirely unecessary.  

2. use Subaru turbo headgaskets

3. resurface the block for a stellar job - but this is rarely done and very rarely necessary.

4.  add coolant conditioner if required.

[idosubaru]

Yes - headgaskets *by themselves* are $1,500.

 

$1,500 headgaskets

$1,000 timing belt and components/parts

 

Your goal is to find a place that will do this:

A.  make sure all the timing components are replaced - pulleys and tensioner

B.  follow my headgasket guidelines above.

 

That's more important than anything else.

 

Water pump replacement is unnecessary, they routinely last 200,000 miles, but if you're replacing everything else anyway it's not a bad idea.

[idosubaru]

You can do the timing belt yourself - Subaru timing belts are cake walk, I can do one in an hour just the belt.  Add another 3 hours for other parts and being a first timer. 

 

Timing pulleys and tensioner fail far more often than water pumps - which never fail in newer generation Subarus, so you need to switch your thinking and talking around - you're focused on a water pump which never fails and ignoring the components that actually fail and cause interference - bent valve$$$$.

 

Do the timing belt now yourself. 

Headgaskets later. 

[zubricki]

grossgary, thanks for the detailed response.  That all makes a lot of sense. I was concerned that head gaskets just "go" and the car is done, but after your reply and others it doesn't seems like nearly as big of a deal.  Water pumps going routinely 200k speaks a lot the reliability of the brand as most cars don't ever see that point.  Thanks for steering me out of unnecessarily replacing water pumps and head gaskets.  I have ripped into an engine once and replaced a timing belt (among other things) so it probably is within my ability.  Even so, looks like $1000 gets the job done, not bad.  I'll see if I can't go take a look tonight.

[idosubaru]

*on that engine* OEM headgaskets should never strand you.  

make no mistake - there are Subaru headgaskets that can strand you - but not that engine. 

Replaced headgaskets have more varied failure modes, even if they're the same OEM gasket.  So if it's ever been replaced - chances go up a bit. 

 

Water pump - It's probably still a good idea to replace, but not if you're using unverified aftermarket pumps - the original OEM pump is probably more reliable to 200k than an aftermarket pump would be for 100k. 

 

Japanese quality tends to be really good so that's part of the equation, but it's also just simple geometry - the newer Subaru's pumps have a short shaft which limits perpendicular fatigue over time.  older Subaru's had longer shafts and were issues wearing out.  Those I'd say replace with every timing belt change (60k back then) or 100k. 

[zubricki]

Picked up a Subaru today, but not the one I started the post with.  Ended up with a 2008 Impreza 2.5i Premium Hatchback with just over 100k on it.  This car was way more local, I was able to have a trusted Subaru mechanic give it a thorough inspection (thanks again to the guys at Boxer Motors in Salem, MA!) and the shop I'm buying from is going to do all the 100k maintenance before delivery, included in sale price!  Thanks again to everyone who helped me out here, made it so I at least seemed knowledgeable when looking at the car.  I'll try to post a pic when I take delivery and I'm sure I'll be back here for help and advice in the future.