Help with 2006 B9 Tribeca, Head Gasket?

This is my wife's vehicle and for a few weeks, maybe a month, at cold starts there's been a large plume of smoke out of the exhaust. After a little research I'm guessing it might be a head gasket leak.

We had to take it to Minnetonka Subaru for some recall repairs (airbag and hood latch) and asked them to take a look at it. They couldn't give a definitive answer as to the cause, but told my wife that it would be a minimum $5K to dig into it and repair. That had us scrambling and looking at cars for sale and getting depressed.

I'm reaching out to the Subaru community on ideas. I want to take it somewhere for a second opinion. I'd be willing to get it repaired, but not for anywhere near $5K. We don't really want to get a new car right now.

I should mention that this started after my wife went far too long between oil changes, leading to a CEL light and going into limp mode. Got the oil changed and the light reset, and it's been running fine other than the big puff of blue smoke.

Do you think it's the head gasket? Something else? Suggestions on where to take it for a second opinion?HELP!

2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
127,000 miles

Thanks,
Karl

 

Well, I know I just posted this 44 minutes ago, but I'm going to take it to David Wray in Buffalo for a second opinion.

 

At least I'm not the only one. Hooray for Subaru!

 

Blue smoke it typically an indicator of burning oil. Coolant (headgasket) smoke it typically white. Wherever you take it, they should do a compression and leak down test to see if they can narrow down the cause/source of the smoke you're seeing on cold starts. I'm not sure how close you are to Osseo, but JM Auto seems to be the go-to for non-dealer Subaru repair in the Metro area.

 

To be honest, I saw it as white smoke. My father in law said it was blue. Certainly didn't smell like burning oil when it would leave a cloud in the garage. Regardless, I'm hoping it can be fixed for something closer to $2K than $5K. I'm west of the west metro so Buffalo is more convenient for me and I remember some good things said on the forum about David Wray in the past so I figured I'd give them a shot.

 

IIRC, the B9 Tribeca is an H6. They don't typically experience head gasket issues. They are more susceptible to valve cover gasket leaks, and worn guide seals. Either way, keep us posted on what David Wray finds out. Also, give this is a look:

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/126090-06-b9-tribeca-blue-smoke-at-startup/

 

So got the Tribeca back. They installed a new PCV valve because of sludge build up, flushed the engine oil and replaced oil with 10w-30 high mileage oil. All in an effort to try to save it. If it continues to smoke then its determined to be internal and engine would need to be replaced. So fingers crossed...

Very happy with David Wray Auto.

 

I think there was a Subaru service bulletin for the Tribeca PCV/PCV hoses becoming blocked with sludge/causing smoking on start up.

 

Started up great this morning without any smoke! Hopefully that's all it was. If it is I'll be very disappointed in Minnetonka Subaru for not at least trying that. Speaking of the dealership, one other thing that Mike Wray mentioned is that the recall replacement of the hood latch assembly that they did was completely loose. Mike wiggled it a bit and it fell right off. He said it could have easily done that while driving and the hood would have flipped up. Thankfully Mike caught that and bolted it up with some loc-tight so that won't happen. He definitely earned future business from me when it's time to do the timing belt in my Forester which is at 193,000 miles. Mike mentioned I'm probably looking at head gasket replacement as well for my 08 Fozzy.

 

I avoid "stealerships" like the plague. Even getting recall work done takes me a long time to get off my ass and do it. Unless of course it's recall work that is a real safety issue. I don't know exactly what kind of Subaru training program is in place for their technicians, but it's hit or miss at all dealerships. I've only used Morrie's Minnetonka Subaru for my airbag recall work, and my glove box hasn't latched properly ever since. Anything under the hood that I can't do on my own (which is most stuff), she goes over to JM. Honestly, my best experiences have been from weekend warrior mechanics that do work on the side. The cheapest quote I could find for spark plug replacement on my H6 was like $450. I found a guy in Ramsey that works on Subarus out of a garage in his backyard, brought him the parts, and he did the plugs for $100. Sometimes Craigslist pays off! Glad to hear that the Tribeca appears to be running better. Definitely keep us posted on how she progresses.

 

sounds like when my catch can froze solid and turned the sti into a fog maghine.

 

H6 head gasket problems usually manifest as running hot under load. Usually on the freeway. They are an enormous amount of work, as the timing chain system is pretty complicated, and has to be removed completely. We had a customer here with a leaking gasket on their '03 Outback H6, and we just swapped in a low mileage JDM engine.

Puff of smoke on startup does sound more like PCV or intake valve seals. Either way, I wouldn't worry about it unless it begins to have other symptoms.

 

Thanks for the info. So far everything seems fine. We were also advised to keep an eye on the oil consumption and check it every 1,000 miles.

 

Housemusic1---would you be willing to share the name of the guy in Ramsey you used? I have a 2002 Outback with error codes PO302, 304 and 306. I understand there could be multiple reasons for the codes, but bought plugs and ignition coils for the car and realized the job is over my head. I would like to avoid a dealership if I can. Thanks.

 

Since you have codes, and bought parts, give JM a call. They'll install your own parts, and can probably even diagnose other issues that you may be unaware you had going on.