Mike C Posted April 1, 2006 Share Posted April 1, 2006 I'm looking at either a 98 or 99 outback and have read some conflicting reports of defective head gaskets in these models. Does anyone know exactly what models where affected by this? Thanks, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbroo Posted April 1, 2006 Share Posted April 1, 2006 My friends 1999 Outback had a head gasket blow around 90K miles so it could be both I think there wasnt a change till 2000 so 98-99 arent many changes so Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aczwild Posted April 1, 2006 Share Posted April 1, 2006 Yes pretty much the if it has a 2.5 Litre engine in it then you will have to replace the head gaskets. This applies to the 1995-1999 Bodystyle (I've had to replace mine at 70K and we're gonna have to replace the ones on a 98 GT we just bought with 109K). This also effects the 2000-2004, but the problem was less severe (on my brothers 2000 LGT Limited with 132K we had to have them replaced since there was a leak). Depending on the price of the car it might just be worth it to buy the car and have them replaced because its not that expensive to have done. You have to watch out though. If the car was driven around with blown headgaskets the block could very well be cracked and there could be other issues with the engine internals. A quick test you can do is to look at the color of the coolant to see if there are small metal flakes or if the coolant is discolored a brown or black to indicate that it has mixed with the oil. Also check the oil level dipstick to see if the oil is discolored a milky color and smells a little sweet. This will indicate again that the oil and coolant has mixed due to a headgasket failing JDM'd All to hell Thanks Jimmy @ Hkc-Speed.com! RIP Coxx & Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C Posted April 1, 2006 Author Share Posted April 1, 2006 Good info, thanks guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
importtund Posted April 2, 2006 Share Posted April 2, 2006 Just put my car in the shop today, under warranty from carmax, 1999 legacy GT LTD blown H.D. @ 128,000 do to maxed tach and speedo on I35 Dallas Tx. LOL anyways... it's costing subaru/carmax 1,450.00 to repair plus rental car! damn I'm glad I bought the extended! replacing intake gasket, h.d. gasket, + all broken seals/ gaskets, oil change, water pump, pulleys, etc etc.... subaru is hook'n me the f**** up by replacing parts not do for replacment I'm glad it's not at my expense! great, check out my wife's legacy and more subarus( stis,wrxs,legacy....@ www.freewebs.com/urbansubarus/ soon to be www.urbansubarus.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLegacy99 Posted April 3, 2006 Share Posted April 3, 2006 Just put my car in the shop today, under warranty from carmax, 1999 legacy GT LTD blown H.D. @ 128,000 do to maxed tach and speedo on I35 Dallas Tx. LOL anyways... it's costing subaru/carmax 1,450.00 to repair plus rental car! damn I'm glad I bought the extended! replacing intake gasket, h.d. gasket, + all broken seals/ gaskets, oil change, water pump, pulleys, etc etc.... subaru is hook'n me the f**** up by replacing parts not do for replacment I'm glad it's not at my expense! great, check out my wife's legacy and more subarus( stis,wrxs,legacy....@ www.freewebs.com/urbansubarus/ soon to be www.urbansubarus.com This is not what I like to hear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garandman Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 Go to ultimatesubaru.net. A very large percentage of 95-99 Phase I 2.5l engines have blown headgaskets. Not all 99's have that engine, though. I had mine done preemptively at 140K. It has 172K now and still going. It's about a $1,200 job at a garage. Other things to look for are leaking front seals and cam seals. Drive the vehicle hard on the highway for a while, then check underneath. The oil pressure is high then so it will push it out of it's a problem. That's about a $600 job, and a lot of people have it done with the belt change due after 100K plus miles. These cars have a black mark from Consumer Reports for engines because of this. SOA says, "Head gasket problem? What head gasket problem?" That's such BS. Who Dares Wins スバル Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
froggert Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 yup, it's the phase 1 dohc ones that seem to have the problem the most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLegacy99 Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 And I know if I have a phase I or II how? As for cam seals. I believe I only paid $400 for my '96 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cman41886 Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 i just had to replace mine around 150k, but that was because the car overheated. the car is still in the shop, because they have no idea why it keeps over heating Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtsOBXT Posted April 14, 2006 Share Posted April 14, 2006 I had a '99 OBW. At around 80K I saw exhaust in the coolant and coolant in the exhaust. I ran to the dealer and traded her in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken S Posted April 14, 2006 Share Posted April 14, 2006 And I know if I have a phase I or II how? As for cam seals. I believe I only paid $400 for my '96 99 Legacy GT? Phase I The Forester and Impreza went Phase II in MY99, the Legacy/OB not until MY00. However, there were some "hybrid" EJ25s where it had the Phase I lower end and Phase II header in MY99. A not 100% conclusive sign is to look for a casting "ridge" on the engine block on the end facing the passenger side headlight. One "ridge" = Phase II, Two ridges = Phase I, IIRC. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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