Newbie with '03 HG oil leak (not coolant). Northern Virginia

[fierstf]

I am curious how you handled the repair with your car. I have a 2004 Outback and I am in the same boat as you. I am in Northern Virginia and repair prices here seem much higher than I was used to in CO. Where did you take your car? What did they do, and how much did it cost? Are you happy with the work?

Thanks!

[elraton]

Originally Posted by fierstf

I am curious how you handled the repair with your car. I have a 2004 Outback and I am in the same boat as you. I am in Northern Virginia and repair prices here seem much higher than I was used to in CO. Where did you take your car? What did they do, and how much did it cost? Are you happy with the work?

Thanks!

Hi,

Funny that you wrote a few days ago. I haven't checked the site in almost a year but the head gaskets are leaking still / again so I was checking in to see if there had been any further replies.

I found a good mechanic in Charlottesville who didn't think I had a head gasket leak - he thought it was valve covers. So I had valve covers, timing belt, seals, water pump, etc done about ten months ago. Seemed to slow for a bit but I think it was head gaskets all along. Oil all over the driveway, street, garage, wherever I park it. Still smells bad, sometimes a gas smell when starting and the weather is cold. Runs fine.

But I am again looking at having the head gaskets done. That or replacing the vehicle. I would like a recommendation for a good Subaru mechanic in Northern Virginia.

So really, I don't have an answer to your question.... let me know if get yours done and where you do it. I will probably do something in the next month.

Thanks.

[fierstf]

Well I went to Sheehy Subaru to get a quote. To start with, there were 2 new people in the customer service area who did impress me. Luckily a mechanic came into the customer service area and was able to help them write me a quote. The price for a head gasket with parts, labor, and machining the heads was very expensive. Labor alone was $2124 (18 hours at $118/hour). parts were $450, and it teh heads need machining they need to send out the engine and they estimate about $250-$350. If I get the timing belt, idlers, adjusters, v-belts, etc, also replaced at the same time. the labor is free but the additional parts are $632. They did not recommend replacing the water pump.

I am from Colorado and the largest independent Subaru shop in the US is in Boulder (Super Rupair Home). I bought my old outback from them and I think they are awesome. I called them and they quoted me $1700 for all labor and parts related to the head gasket, including machining the heads that they can do in house. They recommend changing the water pump if it is still the original, plus the belts, pulleys, idlers, etc. All of the additional parts including the water pump are $700. So for me the whole job will likely be about $2400. When compared to approximately $3500 to do all of this work here at a dealer, I am considering driving back to CO to have Super Rupair do the work. I was going to visit anyway, and gas is about the same price as a flight.

[1 Lucky Texan]

Originally Posted by fierstf

Well I went to Sheehy Subaru to get a quote. To start with, there were 2 new people in the customer service area who did impress me. Luckily a mechanic came into the customer service area and was able to help them write me a quote. The price for a head gasket with parts, labor, and machining the heads was very expensive. Labor alone was $2124 (18 hours at $118/hour). parts were $450, and it teh heads need machining they need to send out the engine and they estimate about $250-$350. If I get the timing belt, idlers, adjusters, v-belts, etc, also replaced at the same time. the labor is free but the additional parts are $632. They did not recommend replacing the water pump.

I am from Colorado and the largest independent Subaru shop in the US is in Boulder (Super Rupair Home). I bought my old outback from them and I think they are awesome. I called them and they quoted me $1700 for all labor and parts related to the head gasket, including machining the heads that they can do in house. They recommend changing the water pump if it is still the original, plus the belts, pulleys, idlers, etc. All of the additional parts including the water pump are $700. So for me the whole job will likely be about $2400. When compared to approximately $3500 to do all of this work here at a dealer, I am considering driving back to CO to have Super Rupair do the work. I was going to visit anyway, and gas is about the same price as a flight.

My only suggestion would be, to not jump into a car after that much work and drive hundreds of miles away. If you can stay in the area during the 'shakedown' cruise - you might be OK. But, you also would not have any good way to get warranty on the job if a problem developed 5 weeks down the road.

[fierstf]

Originally Posted by 1 Lucky Texan

My only suggestion would be, to not jump into a car after that much work and drive hundreds of miles away. If you can stay in the area during the 'shakedown' cruise - you might be OK. But, you also would not have any good way to get warranty on the job if a problem developed 5 weeks down the road.

That is the plan. I hope to go back, possibly in February and spend a week skiing after I get the work done. I will get to do some local driving before I will need to drive cross country.

It is a risk to be far away from the shop if I have issues. However, I have dealt with them for years so I have trust and confidence in their work.

[lynne007]

Originally Posted by elraton

Hi,

But I am again looking at having the head gaskets done. That or replacing the vehicle. I would like a recommendation for a good Subaru mechanic in Northern Virginia.

So really, I don't have an answer to your question.... let me know if get yours done and where you do it. I will probably do something in the next month.

Thanks.

I just had the head gaskets repaired on my 98 Suburu. It had been having overheating problems for a couple of years.. intermittent. But it was happening more often - then in early December 2011, it got so bad I couldn't drive more than 5 minutes with it overheating. But the car has low mileage (69,000), and is in good shape otherwise - so I felt it was worth it to get it repaired.

I called around, got an estimate from Stohlmans for a little over $3000 - parts and labor.

I looked at Washington Checkbook and called a couple of repair shops. I finally decided to try London Auto Services - they didn't have a lot of ratings in Washington Checkbook, but the ratings were all good. They advertise as a full service shop and do a lot of work with older cars. When I called them, they seemed to be well acquainted with the Suburu gasket problems. Gave me an estimate of a little over $2000 - and that included doing some things that you usually get done when you change the head gaskets. So, I decided to try them. Had to have my car towed there.

I have been very happy with the results. I have since then taken my car to Fredericksburg and back (about an hour of driving at 60 mph on interstate). Not an acid test - but my car broke down the last time I drove there (my son goes to college there).

No problems. My car has been driving nice. I think I am going to keep taking my car there, even though it is a little farther for me to drive.

If you wish, I can find the receipt and give you the details of what they did.