Head Gasket questions

[ah_alex_]

I have been reading how it seems everyone with a 2.5L has to do a HG or two. Is it ineviteble or will i get lucky and not have to do them? Is there any way to postpone the HG failure?
Ive heard of a coolant conditioner, where do i get it and do i need it?
Any input greatly appreciated because i really dont want to spend $1000 on the motor when i could spend it upgrading my suspension.
BTW ive got a 97 GT with 162000 kms.
Thanks

[Huffer]

HG's should be a one-time fix.
With anything that has to do with a higher-mileage engine, expect things like that to happen.

Best bet is to do the HGs before it happens.

The coolant conditioner is an additive that Subaru add to all their cars, not just the ones that have HG histories.

I'm still on the original HG - but I have a feeling that it will start leaking at some point within the next 12 months. But by then I'll be replacing the engine and transmission anyway.

I don't thrash the car, it never sees 3500rpm except during emergency lane merges.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Yes, it was commonly believed that the problem with the EJ25D blowing headgaskets was actually the design of the headgasket itself. After 04, they designed a super heavy duty headgasket (no reported issues that I know of on these 04+ EJ25s) that they put in all EJ25s when they replace the headgasket.

[ah_alex_]

is there any was of preventing its failure? I would guess not driving it would be the only option. and is there a specific mileage they go at?

[Wiscon_Mark]

They tend to go at around 100,000 miles for most people, but it's definitely a range. Some have had it as early as 60,000 miles, some as late as 140,000 miles.

Is there any way to prevent it? no, there's nothing foolproof besides not driving. You might get lucky and not have it happen like Huffer, but that's very unlikely.

You could always sell it for a Legacy with an EJ22 if you really want to avoid the problem, or just set up a partition in your bank account and add money to it to pay for the headgaskets when they go.

[ah_alex_]

i might have to start taking it easy on my leggy then :lol: