Subaru Head Gasket Testing

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Overview of testing for blown head gaskets on Subaru vehicles.

-----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.-----

[femalegarage]

It's amazing that you had a chance to make this video with a car that actually had a blown head gasket. It's the first video that logically explained to me what the symptoms of the head gasket failure are.

[johnclark]

Video is very well done and contains good information. A "MUST" for Subaru owners.

[camfam]

Great vid. Simple, straight to the point with useful, accurate info.

[gorskijakub]

MrSubaru1387 - You are the best. Thx for all . My Baja begins to live a new life. Now i safe a lot of money for next steps of "renovation" ;) Thx for help once again.

[MrMotivations]

I found this very well produced, informative, useful. Thanks for the work.

[electrickrypt]

Thank you for taking the time to create this very informal video! Extremely helpful and VERY well done! You've earned my subscription! :D

[DIYmotorcycle]

Just did a 2008 Forester 2.5 non-turbo 45 minutes still a pretty blue friend of mine bought this car when she said Forrester I was like oh no🙄 but it looks pretty good very tight car very clean for a 2008 need the timing belt and valve cover gaskets and some spark plugs air conditioning systems completely empty and the pump is frozen so complete rebuild on this whole system. I think this will be a good car barring the head gaskets don't go out in the future they look like the stock gaskets. 143000 MI

[shafter]

Hi @mrsubaru1387 I've done the hydrocarbon test which appears to have come back negative. Not changed all the coolant pipes nor the radiator yet. Been getting coolant bubbling and initially thought it was just an airlock. Replaced the radiator cap and rebled the system to ensure all air locks have gone. Was still getting the bubbles. Checked the thermostat by removing and driving it hard.

When the bubbling has been happening (almost all the time after a long run) the coolant from the overflow then just oveflows instead of returning to the radiator. Currently after a long run I just keep manually returning the excess coolant from the overflow.

The car is a 3.0 H6 on 08 plates/model year. It has 133000 miles on the clock now and there is no apparent coolant inside the oil. Sadly I did resort to using the sealants like K-seal and Steel Seal. I've flushed them out the system using the Holts cleaning solution and then just used 2 bottles of the conditioner instead. Bubbles seem less but still getting the problem of water not returning to yhe radiator after a long run or being driven hard. When I say 'long run' I mean like 40 miles and 80 miles.

Water pump (might be) too big a job for me to tackle as I don't want to interfere with the timing chain. But do you think I should replace the radiator and all the coolant pipes or is this looking like a HG issue.

I did get quotes for HG from the independent Subaru tech who suggested to leave it well alone as it becomes a messy job once opened. I'm happy to replace the thermostat and radiator and pipes if you reckon it might definitely or potentially make a difference?

Also the heater in the cabin doesn't blow hot on the passnger side anymore (maybe I've gummed up the heater matrix/core...

Any help greatly appreciated as I'm a travelling agency intensive care nurse. Usually try to cover them shifts that are far and back of beyond where others find it hard to get to.

Help really appreciated thanks... Lastly, with all the use of the sealants (then flushing them out etc to try and not gum everything up) and the problem getting worse. I notice when trying to burp the system or doing a coolant flush. The coolant in the funnel becoming violently hot and going all over.

[Lunchladydoyle]

Thanks for informative video. Going to look at 2010 with 180, 000 miles on it. Great price if the gaskets are still good.

[dadoe]

I'm inspecting an '03 Outback to maybe buy. This is very helpful!

[Super_Chargedlife]

My 99 was basically the same condition as this. Learned my lesson. Now I'm looking at a very clean 97 still worried tho.

[baconlatte]

Thanks, this is very helpful. Would you agree the block test is only a good test for blown gaskets, and that gaskets that are leaking and on on the way to failure might pass the block test and give false sense of security? Lot of Subaru experts say avoid the block test, and use electronic hydrocarbon meter.

[mikemaccracken]

Just did head gaskets on a 2006 Forester XT turbo and there was no exterior oil leaks or water in the oil. Head gaskets were blown out between the combustion chamber and coolant passage. Engine never overheated until the turbo went into boost cause the coolant to shoot out of the coolant recovery tank.

[moonlander]

As soon as the bubble bath started.. I knew it was a blown head gasket, even after the milkshake blender 😂😂😂😂…. I just bump my coolant system and I don’t have this problem but I need to rebuild. Y engine.. has some leaks that I let them get out of hand 😂😂😂😂😂 thnx Mr Subaru for ur knowledge 😎😎😎😎👍👍👍👍

[annebenson]

I have a 2006 Subaru Legacy with 176, 000 It has a oil leak, transmission leak, power steering leak AND a rear differential leak!!!!

[rickbax]

My stock 05 WRX makes the same noise, but only when the engine is cold. When the engine is warm, you cannot hear anything. Should I be concerned?

[aniruddhashahasane]

The engine oil dipstick and cap looks clean.
However, the coolant tank looks milky along with the radiator cap. Does it mean oil is entering the coolant tank from a blown head gasket? Thanks.

[marcwert]

The fluid that turns yellow is indicating CO2 in the cooling system not HC. If the plug in the bad cylinder is not firing no CO2 will be generated.

[damienedwards]

Just had a new radiator and thermostat put in 07, 2.5lt petrol non turbo subaru, I drove 200 kms the next day I drove for 10 minutes temp gauge went to 3/4 so I pulled over and stopped, trucked car back to radiator shop in which he said its done a water pump, then when I took it to get water pump and timing belt replaced tge mechanic called me and said its blown a head gasket, engine didnt get cooked from what I saw, mechanic said constant stream of bubbles in radiator water head gasket is blown...
$4k for a replacement motor, is it worth getting a second opinion.?

[anhcuongdeptrai]

Thanks for nice video and show all details i need. Have wonderful day