2006 subaru outback head gasket replacement cost

If your considering replacing the head gaskets in your Subaru then read thru this Q&A. We will be answering some of the most popular questions asked by Subaru Owners. If your experiencing intermittent overheating, loss of antifreeze or vent heat coming and going this may pertain to you. 

  1. Is my Subaru even worth putting the money into?

If your Subaru was performing the way it should before you started noticing the symptoms and you enjoyed it. Then the odds are that it is worth repairing and you will start enjoying it all over again! Subaru Love!

 

  1. Is it time to replace the timing belt? Clutch Assembly? Motor Mounts?

When replacing the head gaskets, the engine does come out of the car. With that being said that’s the perfect opportunity to replace the timing belt. Replacing the timing belt, clutch or mounts can usually be done for the cost of parts and a slight amount of additional labor.   Why not do it all while your there right?

  1. Do you have any problems that you have been putting off or ignoring?

If you have been putting repairs off or trying to tune out that problem this may be the best time to address those concerns. Make sure you tell your service advisor about any other concerns. That way we can help you make the best decision on your investment.   

  1. After replacement, how long does the head gaskets normally last?

We normally see the heads gasket last 100,000 miles to 160,000 miles on the 2.5 4 Cylinder. We expect the head gaskets to last just as long.  
 

  1. What does the head gasket job consist of?

The Subaru head gasket job consists of the following.

 

  • Head Gaskets
  • Intake Manifold Gaskets
  • Thermostat
  • Valve Cover Gaskets
  • Exhaust Manifold Gaskets
  • Oil & Filter
  • Machine Work                                             
     

 

  1. Is there anything else that should be replaced?

We normally recommend replacing the timing belt & components. Most of the time the spark plugs will need to be replaced. It is highly recommended to replace the camshaft and crankshaft seals while we are there as well as repairing any other oil leaks you may have.

Sometimes we do find small parts that may need to be replaced based off wear or age. The most common wear items we find are Hoses, Small Sensors, Additional Exhaust Gaskets, etc.

 

  1. How much is the estimated cost of repair?

This does depend on the year and engine type of your Subaru. The average base head gasket job for a 2.5-liter engine is $1,500 to $1,800 that’s including Parts & Labor.

Adding additional items such as Timing Belt & Components, Water Pump, Spark Plugs & Oil Seals, etc runs in the range of $2,200 to $2700.

Your Subaru could be a little more or a little less. This is the average of what we normally see. If your concerned about your cars value and if its worth the repair. We will give you our best opinion on your Subaru’s condition and what will be best for you.  

​      8. How long will you need my Subaru for?

Usually the repair takes two to three days. That gives us time to complete the head gasket replacement and road test the vehicle afterwards. The job normally goes very smooth but, sometimes we do run into a parts problem or time delay. We will always keep you updated regardless of the situation.

        9.  Does this repair cause any other problems? 

No, the repair normally goes very well and doesn't cause any other problems. But occasionally we do run it a cooling system component failure soon afterwards or ignition system failure i.e. ignition coil or Wireset.

Here are some important questions to ask yourself before making that decision. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making this big decision.

1. Have you taken relatively good care of this car up to this point?
It seems like a silly question, but it isn’t. If you have changed your oil regularly, kept up with maintenance and any other mechanical issues that puts your first check mark in the pro column. Head gaskets are a major repair, but performing this repair isn’t going to undo previous neglect or damage. If your car has been consuming oil, it will not improve after the head gasket replacement. It’s important to be honest with yourself about how the car has been cared for.

2. Are you due for timing belt, drive belt or clutch replacement?
If so, put another check in your pro column. The engine comes out of the car to replace head gaskets – drive belts and timing belts can be replaced for the cost of parts while some timing components and clutch replacement add a minimal amount of labor.

3. Do you like this car? Does it do what you need it to do?
If it’s been working well for you before the head gasket failure, it’s likely worth fixing.

4. Are there unaddressed concerns looming with this car?
If you’ve been putting off repairs or ignoring a problem it may be easily addressed along with the head gasket repair. The best thing you can do is to voice these concerns to your Service Advisor before authorizing repair. Some underlying issues combined with head gasket repair may deem the car not worth fixing, while others may be part of the head gasket job.

5. Has your car been severely overheated?
If you’ve repeatedly run your coolant temperature gauge into the red, or continued driving while overheating you may not want to have your head gaskets repaired. Overheating can compromise the engine, and cooling system. It’s possible that the damage wouldn’t be evident until after repair is completed. Just like question #4, it’s important that you discuss overheating history with your advisor before starting repair. The more detailed information you can provide your advisor, the better equipped he will be to help you plan your repair.

Once you’ve decided to move forward with a head gasket replacement, here are some frequently asked questions:

1. How long does the repair last?
Typically we see head gaskets fail between 100,000 and 150,000 miles on Subaru 2.5 engines, and we expect the replacement gaskets to last about as long.

2. What other things are included and what should I consider doing with my head gasket job?
A head gasket replacement includes head gaskets, valve cover gaskets, thermostat/gasket and an oil and filter change.

We normally recommend timing belt replacement, along with timing idlers and tensioner. Cam and crank seal replacement is also highly recommended. If you aren’t sure whether or not your water pump has been replaced this would be a great time to inspect and/or replace that as well. If your Subaru has a leaking or old style baffle plate, this would be the time to get the new updated plate installed. We may also come across deteriorated exhaust gaskets, hoses or other small parts such as spark plugs, or sensors that could use replacement. Generally speaking, such repairs when done with the head gasket job will save you money.

3. How much should I expect this to cost?
Depending on the year and engine configuration of your 2.5 Subaru, the base head gasket job for parts (including tax and labor) costs between $1600 and $1700. Adding the timing belt, idlers, and tensioners, seals and water pump adds about $700. The typical total cost for an automatic transmission car runs between $2500 and $2700. The typical head gasket job on a manual transmission car including a clutch runs $2700-$3100. This isn’t to say yours could be a little more or a little less, but these are the numbers we are used to seeing.

4. My car isn’t even worth that much, why should I fix it?
That’s a great question. We will always tell you if your car is or isn’t worth fixing in our opinion. If it isn’t clear whether or not the car is worth putting a significant amount of money into, we will do our best to help you make an informed decision.

The formula we recommend for deciding whether or not your car is worth fixing is simple: take the amount the repair is going to cost, plus whatever you could get for your car without fixing it and answer the question: “Could I buy something better for this amount of money?”

How much does it cost to replace a head gasket on a Subaru Outback?

The typical total cost for an automatic transmission car runs between $2500 and $2700. The typical head gasket job on a manual transmission car including a clutch runs $2700-$3100.

How much does it cost to fix a Subaru head gasket?

This does depend on the year and engine type of your Subaru. The average base head gasket job for a 2.5-liter engine is $1,500 to $1,800 that's including Parts & Labor. Adding additional items such as Timing Belt & Components, Water Pump, Spark Plugs & Oil Seals, etc runs in the range of $2,200 to $2700.

How do I know if my Subaru head gasket is blown?

7 Possible Signs of a Bad Head Gasket.
Milky Engine Oil..
Overheating Engine. ... .
Bubbles in the Radiator. ... .
White Exhaust Smoke. ... .
Blue Exhaust Smoke. ... .
Cylinder Misfire. ... .
Low Coolant. If the coolant in your vehicle is lower than it should be, a head gasket may be the culprit. ... .

Is it worth fixing a head gasket on a car?

If your head gasket leak has caused this problem you are almost always better off replacing the whole engine as a new head gasket will stop the leak but bearing damage has probably already been done.