Reasonable price for a head gasket swap?

The 2.5L DOHC engines SHOULD BE removed to properly inspect the block for warpage and/or cracks. As most overheat for sometime before they are repaired. Maybe not severely, but most overheat.

$3000 isn't out of the question, but it depends on how much $$$ in parts you need...

 

no, courtney the service writer here at morries

 

I was able to swap out the mis stamped cometic head gaskets with the engine still in my baja (NA). took some where between 4.5-6 hours with a valve adjustment, start to finnish. I used rubber bands around the head bolts to keep them from sliding around while installing the heads.

 

You guys just quoted me $2500-2700 for the job. I wish this number was even close to what I was given. What's up with that?

 

^^ some times it depends on the day of the week and who you talk to, I guess.

 

I'm bound to catch them on "Free Service Day" soon then heh.

 

That was labor for a 2.5L SOHC motor i'm guessing. I have your car in my bay right now, and I'll get it torn apart on monday. Your coolant overflow is filled with oil, but seeing as your engine is still quiet, you probably wont need a valve adjustment. That'll be less labor than what Don quoted you.

 

didn't mean to steer you wrong! thats the last time I ask for a quote for someone!

 

According to this I have a DOHC engine in my car is that accurate? Also does that then change the quote?
http://users.sisna.com/ignatius/subaru/headgasket.html

Thanks for taking the time to check in with me on that driftin, makes me feel better interacting with the person working on my car rather than some guy who's removed from the process. And not to mention, I'm kinda stressed about the whole thing.

 

I got it torn down today, and from what Don should have told you, it will be the 15hr job <--- no valve's needed adjustment. That should be $1579.50 in labor (after the 10% discount).

Then you should really consider buying all the other parts you need, while it's apart and you don't have to pay additional labor on, like the clutch, t-belt idler pulleys, and the front cover.

 

turbo...

 

I don't think so...

 

Thanks man.
That clutch only has ~30k miles on it, I'm kinda inclined to leave it be for now.

 

Honestly man, I am. I replaced it at ~90k, which is the only clutch replacement that car has had.
Has she really tore through that clutch THAT bad? I mean if it's over 75% fried it makes sense on labor alone to replace it, but hell you guys are finding the demons everywhere you look... throw me a bone here fellas.

 

You don't have any clutch left. One longer than normal slip, and it's rivet to flywheel contact.

I know there was other crap that got found, but your car has 121k on it. Stuff is bound to be wrong. I'm not trying to nickel and dime you either, Readymixx saw your stuff, it's BAD!

 

Roger brother.

 

And the three idler pulleys were more than likely gone when you had your t-belt replaced. They shoulda noticed it along with the hole in your timing cover from your old t-belt.

 

Crazy stuff guys. I can't explain any of that. Thanks for taking the time to explain it to me. I left a messag with Don to go ahead with the work.
I'll discuss with my wife changing her clutch usage and make sure she isn't riding it all the time.
thanks again for the words and time.

 

That was the message I attempted to convey to her as diplomatically as possible.
She has been driving a manual for many years now so I threw in there maybe it was just from me when I have driven her car :biggrin:
Heck maybe it really was!

Let's see how long it takes before my other 99 legacy drops it's HG... we can revisit this conversation and then some at that time when you see what gems are hiding in that one.
Since the speedo and odometer don't work all the time I'm guessing that one has ~130k on it. Checked the coolant after this one went down and the levels were good. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

we are worth the drive, our tech has been there 25 years and for that car, t-belt, shave heads, check valves, water pump the whole nine yards, would be around 1700 tops, most likely less

R&G Subaru

 

the heads didnt need to be shaved, they passed with flying colors

 

Sweet!

 

it sounds like you put her down easy jeremy! good for you man.

 

how much did your final bill come to? I'm looking to get one done too

 

Well, with a new clutch, (~$400) idler pully's (~$250) and a couple other random odds and ends that any other job like this would be an auto add-on it was $2974.
I think if the heads turned out to be warped it would have been a smidge more to get them ground down again.

 

How can you tell if the idler pulleys need to be replaced?