Oil in coolant

[rudgers73]

Just got back from getting an alignment (new struts) and the techs did a routine check-up on my car. They told me that my alternator will need to be replaced soon which wasn't a surprise after 110,000 miles, but they also said they found some oil in the coolant. They didn't sound like it was a dyer emergency, but they said that it is probably an internal head gasket leak.

I'm wondering if this should be a red flag for me to hurry up and get the head gaskets replaced, or if I should wait and see if it gets worse or stays the same. I remember reading somewhere that the DOHC 2.5 is notorious for blown head gaskets. Anybody have a cost estimate for head gasket replacement on a 99 GT?

Looking for other opinions/similar issues...

Thanks

[ShadowGT]

The head gasket is starting to go so you might as well start planning to change it out before it gets worse. It will get worse and cause problems.

You can do it yourself.. or at least in my neck of the woods mechanic labor is around 80 dollars an hour and it's a lot of work involved plus parts.

[rudgers73]

Yeah, sounds like I am going to have to do something.

The only question is whether it will be a good investment or not:

the car has 110k miles on it, I paid $7300 for it 2.5 yrs ago and it is currently worth about $4500 (kbb)

If I have it done at the dealer it will be around $1600.

What should I do? Is this a good investment?

[ivwarrior]

What's the rest of the car like? Do you like it otherwise? A replacement engine (if you put it off too long) or car will most likely run you more than $1600.....

If you like the car and had planned on keeping it for a while longer I'd say it's a good investment. If you were already planning on looking for a new car in 6 months to a year, maybe start looking now.

[rudgers73]

My plan was to keep the car until it hits 200k miles, then begin looking for possible a newer car. At least that is what I keep telling everyone. haha

If I invest this money into it, it will owe me more miles. Maybe I'll start looking after 250k miles or more.

I am happy with the car, I have fun driving it, I have fun at autocross with it, and I get compliments all of the time on how great it sounds/looks. I want to keep it as long as possible, but I don't want my love for the car to get in the way of common sense.

I just did the clutch last fall, the body is in good shape, engine runs well. I just hope that if I get the head gaskets replaced that nothing else major happens or I will lose my ass on it. That's where all of the risk is.

[jey]

If I invest this money into it, it will owe me more miles. Maybe I'll start looking after 250k miles or more.

Do it, it makes sense. The only other pricey problem that you can have is the clutch which you already just recently did. If the tranny shifts fine and everything else is good, keep the maintenance up and you'll roll over 250k no problem.

[Stang70Fastback]

Keep it! My car made it to 200k before it started falling apart, lol.

[rudgers73]

It looks like I am going to get the work done. The only question I have now is whether I should explore the idea of porting while it's apart. Can anyone give me some info on that? Cost, risks, etc?

[impreza_GC8]

^ I say set some money aside while you still drive it. There is no problem with driving on a slightly leaky head gasket for a little while, unless someone else cares to add a different opinion. As for porting, you mentioned AutoX, something like that will bump you to a much higher class, not sure if you care about that or not.

[hink01wag]

you should just do the work. my car is at 360k and still going.

[Huffer]

Get the HG's replaced. The newer HG's do not have the failures because of the material and the design. If your car hasn't overheated yet then you may not need to have the heads milled flat (they can warp under extreme heat/HG failure).

A nice mod would be to have some street cams installed at the same time (www.customimportheads.us (http://www.customimportheads.us)) - you'll fix your HG problem and get a nicer torque/hp curve without having to adjust any fuelling or intake issues.

[rudgers73]

I found a guy that has done Subaru HG's before. He is asking $1700 even for new HG's, decked heads, cleaned up valves, new cam seals, timing belt, valve cover seals, valve seals, etc.

Does this sound like a decent deal?

[T_F_E]

sounds good to me

[patrack92314]

ok man the truth is the head gaskets are about to go but just plan on changing them. watch ur temp gauge alot and when they blow it will over heat and that is when u should pull over get it towed to save the motor . and if u pull over right when it spikes on the gauge u will save ur self from replacing the motor. i was told by my teacher to do this and he is a subaru master tech.

[Huffer]

I found a guy that has done Subaru HG's before. He is asking $1700 even for new HG's, decked heads, cleaned up valves, new cam seals, timing belt, valve cover seals, valve seals, etc.

Does this sound like a decent deal?

Not really. That's the price you'd pay at a dealership, not a guy in his own garage. I would have expected around $1300 for a home mechanic.

[rudgers73]

He's a licensed mechanic.

[2.5GT]

He's a licensed mechanic.

Still, he can't guarantee his work.

Take it to the dealer, it's a couple hundred bucks more than your shady tree mechanic charge and still have the reassurance that it'll be done right the first time. Good luck.

[decke48]

dealership runs around $1200 for parts and labor. no head work. add $75 a head for mill and hotboxing and another 3hrs of labor so $300 a head. so thats runs you at $1800 w/o valve job (labor is rated @$75 hr)

[rudgers73]

Ok. I've decided that I am going to get it replaced at the dealer. It will provide me with a warranty, an experienced tech, and possibly a loner car.

P.S. My first autocross of the season was today and I was really happy with my car's performance. The new struts and rubber made a HUGE difference. I did alright for my class (ST), but then again the SCCA classification is really subjective in a lot of places. Car stayed cool, coolant temp was sitting steady all day with the heater on and the fan on 2.

Maybe some bushings after the HG...

It's so easy to want to continue modding your car