Worried my Head Gasket is going or gone

[kPATm]

Hello, I have what looks like a minor coolant leak the car doesnt over heat but I am really starting to get a bit worried now.Iv been having a look around and it seems these 2.5L engines are prone to head gasket problems.It seems that its the Phase 1 engine that suffers from the worst damage.Can any one tell me if I have a phase 1(DOHC) or a phase 2(SOHC) engine.

My engine code is EJ251

If it is headgasket related how much am I looking at to fix it?


Iv also seen that Subaru says to add coolant conditioner to the radiator during a coolant change to prevent Head Gasket problems.Is this the same stuff as Holts RadWeld.Iv just had the coolant system flushed(100m+ ago)can I just add the RadWeld now?Then again if the gasket is already blown then I suppose Im to late.

The car is actually in the garage I bought it from now but I have got a really bad feeling that either they will spot it and say that because my warranty is up then its not covered or they will just play dumb and say nothing about it.I bought the car about 5-6 weeks ago with a 1 month warranty.I have had CEL coming and going so I phoned them up(within my warranty)and due to them not being able to take the car in till now my warranty has ran out.Do you think I have a case that they need to repair it as I informed them of a problem within my warranty?Thanks.

Its a UK car 2001 Subaru Legacy 2.5L GX

[Okin DaVanh]

you dont have a phase 1

[Custom Import Heads]

Hello, I have what looks like a minor coolant leak the car doesnt over heat but I am really starting to get a bit worried now.Iv been having a look around and it seems these 2.5L engines are prone to head gasket problems.It seems that its the Phase 1 engine that suffers from the worst damage.Can any one tell me if I have a phase 1(DOHC) or a phase 2(SOHC) engine.

My engine code is EJ251

If it is headgasket related how much am I looking at to fix it?


Iv also seen that Subaru says to add coolant conditioner to the radiator during a coolant change to prevent Head Gasket problems.Is this the same stuff as Holts RadWeld.Iv just had the coolant system flushed(100m+ ago)can I just add the RadWeld now?Then again if the gasket is already blown then I suppose Im to late.

The car is actually in the garage I bought it from now but I have got a really bad feeling that either they will spot it and say that because my warranty is up then its not covered or they will just play dumb and say nothing about it.I bought the car about 5-6 weeks ago with a 1 month warranty.I have had CEL coming and going so I phoned them up(within my warranty)and due to them not being able to take the car in till now my warranty has ran out.Do you think I have a case that they need to repair it as I informed them of a problem within my warranty?Thanks.

Its a UK car 2001 Subaru Legacy 2.5L GX

If you called for an appointment before the warranty was up and you have it documented then, yes, they should cover it. Offer to talk with the attorney if they choose not to fix it.

[Huffer]

Let's not get stupid here - you have a minor coolant leak - FROM WHERE?

Also - the 00+ engines are less prone to HG leaks than their DOHC EJ25 predecessors.

Before you start freaking out, figure out the leak issue, then deal with it from there. Also - Subaru Coolant Conditioner is NOT like RadWeld or any other "stop leak" product. But you can drop a bottle of the SCC into your coolant mix at anytime. Do NOT use any "stop leak" products. Just this week I had to use a screwdriver to remove some radiator stop leak product from the top of a radiator - the problem was a cracked, leaking hose. But they ended up screwing up their whole coolant system because they spent $5 on a "fix in a bottle".

[kPATm]

I had another closer look at the leak and to me it looks as if the "Fluid" is seeping from here.Marked in Red


http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy80/kPATm/Gasket.png

[ouch1011]

That's a common problem on those engines.

Subaru sells a coolant conditioner to fix this problem.

[kPATm]

Cheers.Sorry for the late reply but Iv been busy.I have actually been trying to get the conditioner from Subaru dealers in the UK but everyone I have contacted has never heard of it?I know its available in the US.I was wondering if someone could get hold of a ew bottles for me and send it over.I could pay with PayPal?