Headgasket replacement questions.

[Danny-G]

If I replace them before they blow, what all is really required? I know the headgaskets will be required, thats a given. But what else would be needed? Valve cover gaskets? I would do the timing belt and related items at the same time too. The car I might be doing the headgaskets on is my moms '97 outback, its almost to 150k and thats about the time the gaskets go so I figure if I can replace them before they go that should save some time and money. What brand gasket would be the best to get?

[csweston]

if its not broke, dont fix it :D

But seriously, some guys never have a headgasket issues while others (like me) have them go before 100k. I wouldnt mess with it unless it actually starts to go. However if your moms car has 150k on the original belt id get that replaced asap.

[03 Subaru GT]

I was told that my headgaskets needs to be changed last month. I have 170k on the car now and the belt was changed as soon as I bought the car. So as the post before, don't change it until its absolutely necessary

[Garrison]

If you go in there, get all the parts to replace everything you can imagine on the way back out.
That is to say, make it so that you only -have- to go in there once. Engine pulls suck.

[B's Legacy Wagon]

I just had mine done at 135k I would like to say mine started with a leak at cylinder one and was getting a code and loosing water. when i took it in the guy did both sides. he said why risk fixing it just to have the other side go.. also i was unsure if the origonal owner had done the timing belt. so he said it best to get it done while its all opened up anyhow. and because it blew out he sugested getting the heads to machine shop. i think to have them checked to see if they had warped and clean them up.

I would like to say doing my research at the time, the OEM head gasket kits are on there fourth version,so alot of the bugs should be worked out on the materials used and deseign. also i came across this website : http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-hea ... explained/ (http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/) it had some good insight and ideas also check out the parts page : http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-parts/
My local mechanic said he only use's these six star brand head gaskets. He said he had never had to do one again after using this product.

So all together i did the gasket kit ,timming belt, water pump(already did new thermostat hoses and ngk plungs and wires myself diagnosing the problem lol) and i think he put in new valve cover bolts. somthing about they need tourqured to a specific level and there was a wierd pattern to how you tighten them down( cant remeber exactlty.) ill have to dig out my invoice somewhere.

I think i got a great deal total was like 1400.+ bucks that was with a discount he give to first time customers and i had a 50 off any service over 200 coupon. He also said he calls around the local stealerships to see what they charge and they where close to 2,000. and alot of other shops said they would have done it for around 1,600.
With out rambling on to much i would sugest going ahead and doing it now(or atleast start saving for it at 1,500+ its not cheap) just becuase of your timing belt milage. and if you can avoid problems from a head gasket failure early go for it. (I worried about damaging the cyliders ,blowing junk into my cat converter etc, not to metion the time sitting off the road letting the car cool down to add water. and the adding water every day was so annoying.

PS. any one in the Portland/hillsboro oregon area needing this done, send me a PM if you need more info. hes a great guy and would love to send some business his way.

[1-3-2-4]

I did mine myself last month I did everything I cold while the block was apart.. that was including:

New water pump
Timing belt
all idlers and pulleys
new oil pump o-ring
New rear steel rear oil separator plate
New rear main seal
New Front oil seal
seals for cams
valve cover gasket seals
and of course the headgaskets.

And for the extra i replaced the clutch and flywheel at the same time since it was slipping very bad the day before I was ready to pull the motor.