Valve Cover Gaskets- 2001 H6 3.0

[Ozzstar]

Both valve cover gaskets are leaking oil on my 2001 H6. Engine has 146K miles.

1) Place to purchase new gaskets at a decent price. In store, online? OEMS seem to be expensive from my local dealer, anyone tried aftermarket gaskets...results?

2) Tips or tricks on doing the gasket change? I plan on replacing the spark plugs while i have everything apart. Any potential problems/difficulties to look for that you may be aware of?

3) I would prefer advice from someone who has first hand experience completing this job on a 3.0L Outback.

Thanks in advance.....

Ozz

[Dodik]

unless you have a heated garage i'd wait till spring and for now just tighten the bolts up it has worked for some people here before, there is a thread in this section of the forum on how i did it from few years back. and i would stick to oem just because it was such a pia job its not worth using lesser quality on those from labor point.

[Ozzstar]

Yes, i have a heated garage and it never snows in there. This makes it easy for me to find the oil drips and constantly clean them up. lol

I'll try and look for your other thread. I did a previous search and didn't find much.

Thanks

[AWDFTW]

I believe this is the thread mentioned.

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/...t-2002-h6.html

[Dodik]

one thing i didnt mention there is you will need a special adhesive in a few spots so make sure you have it before you start, also download FSM it makes the job a ton easier

[Ozzstar]

Originally Posted by AWDFTW

I believe this is the thread mentioned.

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/...t-2002-h6.html

Thanks very much for the link!

[Ozzstar]

Originally Posted by Dodik

one thing i didnt mention there is you will need a special adhesive in a few spots so make sure you have it before you start, also download FSM it makes the job a ton easier

Great job on the thread you wrote. The pictures were helpful also. Looks like you cut the wiring to the O2 sensor, you were replacing it?

Did you use the blue RTV or the black RTV adhesive? I would imagine either one should work fine.

[Dodik]

it was gray subaru adhesive not rtv, i got lucky and one of the mechanics gave me a his almost empty tube at the dealership when i was buying parts, and yeah that sensor was bad and just a plug in the hole

[Ozzstar]

I was looking up some part numbers for the gaskets needed. Do you remember if the 'spark plug hole' gaskets came as a set? It was part #13293AA051, need 3 per side. Did you get 3 for 1 price or did you have to buy all 3 spark gaskets seperate?

[Dodik]

sold separately i know its bloody expensive for the whole thing my two sides and 6 spark plug gaskets cost me about 150 altogether