Subaru Head Gaskets Explained

Please Like, Comment, and Share. Be sure to subscribe for future videos. Don't forget to hit the bell icon for notifications. YouTube has changed what they show subscribers!

-----I assume no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. I recommend safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond my control, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not myself.-----

[sneakyfoz]

This video should be the default standard to reference for all social media self proclaimed experts that like to crap on and make blanket statements about Subaru.

[gatekeeper]

The You Tubes needs more channels run by qualified people like you.
Thanks very much for the in depth info on this issue.
Take care, and have a great day.

[cruzanbum]

I fried my n/a EJ25 head gaskets at about 100, 000 miles when I had a coolant leak. Pulled my heads, had them shaved, grinded the cylinder walls, lapped the valves and used OEM gaskets and new bolts from the dealer. She ran even better once I got her back together!

[BIGJAMESHERE]

My 98 Subaru Outback has over 300, 000 miles pushing 400, 000 miles still on its original engine and transmission head gasket is original I got the head gasket checked it’s not failing. That car was my 1st car when I was 17 now like 24 years later still driving it I always maintained it

[roblord]

Beats me why Subaru didn't produce all its engines with the MLS gaskets in the first place as soon as it was recognized that the standard gaskets were prone to inevitable failure.

[cptrfwright]

Once again sir - your information is spot on! I have a 2010 Impreza 2.5 NA SOHC (EJ253). It started visibly leaking oil from the driver side HG around 100K. The passenger side didn't seem to be leaking much at all. ***Why is that??*** The engine never overheated or showed signs of coolant mixing with the oil. I pulled the engine and replaced the HGs with the Fel-Pro MLS gaskets and the engine now has about 186K miles with no leaks.
p.s. I am still waiting on a complete video tour of the new MAC tool cart 😊 Anyone else?

[Bloogly]

I would love a written version of this information. Engine numbers and the vehicle models they went into, etc to make it easier to buy the right Subaru.

[mbrick]

Just finished a 2006 EJ253 head gasket replacement. After watching some of your videos I was confident enough and pulled the motor and tackled it. There was no milky oil, but it was pushing coolant out and overheating around cylinder #4. Some minor oil leaking externally but not bad. Upon pulling it and looking at the gasket, I could see the spot where the HG coating failed and the coolant passage was connected to the cylinder. Used the newer MLS gasket 11044AA642 and replaced both sides.  Second side showed signs of failing soon.  Two exh valve guides on the affected cylinder migrated and needed replacing, so be sure to check those. 130k miles on it and it runs really well now after the engine rebuild and all fluids changed. Used genuine Idemitsu Type HP trans fluid and it is pretty smooth now.

[rorywynhoff]

Thanks for the update. I knew it wasn't all engines, but didn't know which ones. Love Subaru drivetrains.

[Jeradactile]

Heads haven’t started seeping yet in my 2010 forester, but I’m watching close. Will definitely flush the coolant though. Great video sir. Thank you

[kgilliagorilla]

I have a 04 Outback with approximately 104, 000 miles. Had the head gaskets replaced. $2, 400 at dealer. Also replaced the timing belt and water pump, while engine was apart. It is a great little car, but spending the same amount of money the car is worth hurts my head. When it is running it reminds me of a little diesel tractor. Thanks Mr. Subaru!

[jasontruman]

I have a 2009 Impreza ej253 single cam it had the common external oil leak from the head gaskets. After watching your videos I was comfortable enough pulling the motor and resealing the whole thing. It also needed a valve job so it was good timing. Kinda sad since it only had 120k miles on it but it runs beautiful now!!!!

[troysawyers]

I’ve been looking to see why people say Subarus were unreliable do to head gaskets. There is no real good explanation why. Your video is the one source I found that explains it and on what engines.
Much help man. Subscribed.

[SubieSpecs]

Every video I watch of yours going into depth like this, I can never find anything to disagree on. I preach exactly this to my customers/fellow mechanics that ask. Same with the headbolts. Nice work.

[andrewzenker]

Subaru tech here..
Holy crap, a decent video on subbie headgaskets not full of BS, good work!
But... they pretty much all had the problem of combustion gases going into the coolant up until the new timing chain motors around 130k miles. The EZ30's do have issues that mimic a bad headgasket though, they would crack the bank 1 cylinder head, replaced so many of those headgaskets just assuming it was the standard issue for them to come back pressurizing the coolant again only to find out they were cracking the heads! But yes, the new f motors are much better, have not had to replace a single one yet.

as far as headgaskets go, use aa610 you will thank me...

[bensautocrusades]

I just completed my head gasket and engine reseal and verified no leaks, it was a big job, but thanks to Mr Subaru I received the right information to do this job the correct way! With the Subaru MLS head gaskets, torqued it in the pattern, and had the heads I put on their machined ! It runs a lot better now more power, better idle and hopefully I can say no more engine fluid leaks !

[zechariahpreston]

I’ve got an 05 outback with 195, 000 miles and no signs of head gasket failure yet. But with mr Subaru’s videos I have been able keep up with the preventative maintenance. Just hoping the head gasket doesn’t blow anytime soon. But if it does will definitely use the mls Subaru head gasket. Thanks for the video

[zachs.]

It’s about time that someone knowledgeable about Subaru’s made a video about this. Thanks so much for the video with good information! Although, my EJ255 (2006 WRX) had blown head gaskets when I bought it.

[AutoFixYT]

This is an amazing video that I stumbled across on the YouTube home page, great info! I watched every minute of it. It deserves 1, 000, 000 times the views it has!

[bassbob]

Great video, I worked in Sales at Subaru for 10 years and was always baffled by the head gasket thing. I knew there were different versions of the engines but its just crazy the Subaru engineers did happless things to make the head gaskets good. Despite their recent success, had they fixed the head gaskets a while ago they would be selling another 200k cars a year. Nobody wants to buy a car where they have a 5000 repair at 100-120k miles. Luckily, my nephew is a subie tech and he can bang one out in a day and he helps me out. I still own 4 Subarus and my trusty F250 92 460 with 45k miles on it!