06SubLegTx Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 Hello, My question is this. Is there a certain mile interval in which head gaskets should be replaced even if they are not showing any symptoms of leaking etc? I have heard some people say do it at 100k whether it needs it or not. Thanks for any advise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocei77 Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 10 years or 100K miles. Whichever comes first. This means all the idlers also. O. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureSubaru Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 Timing belt yes. Head gaskets - no. Learn the symptoms to look for to spot it before it overheats. But get the full life from them. What year is your car? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 10 years or 100K miles. Whichever comes first. This means all the idlers also. O. maybe 9 years or 105K miles for timing belt system service, but headgaskets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 (edited) If you run synthetic, they will be leaking badly by 70-80k. If you run non-synthetic and extended drain intervals, they may never leak. But your engine will be done by 200k. GD Edited April 4, 2017 by GeneralDisorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06SubLegTx Posted April 5, 2017 Author Share Posted April 5, 2017 Timing belt yes. Head gaskets - no. Learn the symptoms to look for to spot it before it overheats. But get the full life from them. What year is your car? 2006 with 99,370 on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06SubLegTx Posted April 5, 2017 Author Share Posted April 5, 2017 If you run synthetic, they will be leaking badly by 70-80k. If you run non-synthetic and extended drain intervals, they may never leak. But your engine will be done by 200k. GD GD, can you explain why this is? Why different oils cause such bigger issues? I don't know what oil was used in the past, so, I'm not sure what to use. I have purchased all new Subaru parts for timing belt area, to include New Oil Pump (if the one that is on there has a 7 or 9 on the case), New Water Pump, Thermostat, all the idler & tensioner pulleys, coolant sensor, Thermostat and hoses and radiator... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 2006 with 99,370 on it way overdue for TB systems service if it hasn't been done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06SubLegTx Posted April 5, 2017 Author Share Posted April 5, 2017 way overdue for TB systems service if it hasn't been done. I have been told from Subaru Master Tech it is 100,000 to 105,000 What are you thinking it should be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 I have been told from Subaru Master Tech it is 100,000 to 105,000 What are you thinking it should be? the schedule in the OM has a time side as well. The TB system is 105K miles or 105 months, w'ever is first. The toothed idler is often the weak spot, sometimes the tensioner of another idler. The grease goes bad and they seize or loose their bearings. Very rare it seems for the belt to break, unless caused by the chaos from a seized idler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06SubLegTx Posted April 5, 2017 Author Share Posted April 5, 2017 the schedule in the OM has a time side as well. The TB system is 105K miles or 105 months, w'ever is first. The toothed idler is often the weak spot, sometimes the tensioner of another idler. The grease goes bad and they seize or loose their bearings. Very rare it seems for the belt to break, unless caused by the chaos from a seized idler. Cool, thanks for the info. What part of Texas are you in, if you don't mind me asking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 Non synthetic clogs everything up inside the engine. To include the oil control rings and piston skirt drain back holes. The sludge will also seal up the HG weeping. Synthetic just doesn't clog all the holes. So the gaskets leak sooner and heavier. GD 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06SubLegTx Posted April 5, 2017 Author Share Posted April 5, 2017 Non synthetic clogs everything up inside the engine. To include the oil control rings and piston skirt drain back holes. The sludge will also seal up the HG weeping. Synthetic just doesn't clog all the holes. So the gaskets leak sooner and heavier. GD ok, I have no idea what oil is in it now... I wish I did.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 Cool, thanks for the info. What part of Texas are you in, if you don't mind me asking? Living and working in Arlington for a while now - raised in Handley (east Ft.W) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06SubLegTx Posted April 9, 2017 Author Share Posted April 9, 2017 Non synthetic clogs everything up inside the engine. To include the oil control rings and piston skirt drain back holes. The sludge will also seal up the HG weeping. Synthetic just doesn't clog all the holes. So the gaskets leak sooner and heavier. GD GD, what about using a "Synthetic Blend"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunbray Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Remember that is just an opinion regarding synthetic oil. It is an old wives tale that synthetic oil causes leaks. It might reveal them. However the best thing you can do for any car is use full synthetic from the start, and if it shows a leak, fix it. I use nothing but synthetic on all of my engines, none of which is less than 120,000 miles, and they run great. They had at least 50,000 when I started putting it in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 I don't know anything about synthetic blend. Sounds like some kind of marketing gimmick to me. I can't see a reason for having any amount of non synthetic mixed in with the good stuff. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 the main complaint I read about the blends is, you don't know if they are 50% synth, or 1% . maybe you could discover over at www.bobistheoilguy.com . LOTS of info and discussions about oil over there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 (edited) I haven't found synthetic to "cause" leaks. The switchover process (flushing chems), or just the better quality of detergents and additives used in synthetic, cause it to break up sludge and varnish that is clogging up the holes already in your gaskets. I dragged a 1986 Chevy 305 small block out of the woods where it had sat for 11 years. 155k on it. I changed the valve cover gaskets, and did the timing chain and oil pan gasket. It's running full synthetic 10w40 Amsoil and doesn't leak or burn oil at all. It also has 185 to 190 compression on all 8 cylinders. It's all about how the stuff is maintained. I am quite sure that engine never saw synthetic once in it's former life as it was parked in 2005 due to a bad water pump. But being in a Trans Am it was well maintained . I ABUSE that poor 305 daily (why not it's worthless), and it has 40 psi hot idle oil pressure. It will probably last long after I'm tired of it's mediocre performance and swap it for a 383. GD Edited April 10, 2017 by GeneralDisorder 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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