the_big_1

iTrader: (1)

Hi all,

I think the head gasket on my 2.5 sti has gone.
Any idea on cost to change?
The coolant has some black residue all on sides of the header tank.

Cheers!

fastmike

iTrader: (4)

I,ve heard rumblings of around £700 depending who does it I suspect

the_big_1

iTrader: (1)

I was guessing around that. It's a pitty as no over heating or running issues etc

F1 CJE UK

iTrader: (8)

more like 1500, it was 700 labour from subaru when my one went

the_big_1

iTrader: (1)

Was that dealer or a Subaru speacialist?

F1 CJE UK

iTrader: (8)

dealer as subaru payed for half. long story

F1 CJE UK

iTrader: (8)

just to add rcm told me it would be around that cost as well

the_big_1

iTrader: (1)

Ouch, might have to sell up then, £700 I could no way could I pay £1500

V5RLTD

iTrader: (5)

How many hours does it take to do a head gasket? £1500 seems way over the top. If you allowed £50 per hour, it gives 24 hours plus £300 for head gasket.

A.D.Edmundson

£750 is usually around the norm with decent gaskets....

Sti spec d

A friend of mine has just had his done on a classic Sti by the subaru dealer and they charged him £1500, they did send the heads of to be machined which does put the price up a bit.

A.D.Edmundson

you should always send the heads away to be checked....its cheaper than u think.

scoobwrx94import

where do u stay buddy my mate whos a mechanic is well into his turbo cars nos alot about subarus he has done quite alot of headgasket on scoobys in our town theres plenty where i stay lol anyway i supplied the gaskets genuine subaru from town and county and he did all the rest in all he charged me 350 he also got the heads done because his mate works for machining company so he gets all his stuff done cheap cheap thats the going rate he charges and is really quick at doing it to

the_big_1

iTrader: (1)

I Am in Nuneaton, next to coventry

Bealescooby

iTrader: (36)

around the £700 mark is about right many of subaru specialists in and around wolverhampton charge around that figure
parts and head skimmin alone will come to the £300 mark

Butty

iTrader: (2)

What else makes you think its a HG failure?

Nick

the_big_1

iTrader: (1)

Just junk in the header tank and seem to use about 3/4 litre of oil every 1500 mile

pikeywrx

iTrader: (5)

Id get it checked properly mate before you start upsetting your self lol.

It could be one off many things although could quite easily be head gasket but this is probably be the worst thing it could be.

i pay 75 for head gasket kit and 150 for heads pressure testing and skimmed. Unfortunalty its not the type off job id say do it yourself (as imo there a pig off a job)

a garage can do a couple different checks to confirm.

the_big_1

iTrader: (1)

I am going to change the coolant first, clean out header tank and see how it goes. If the gunge returns, I will get it to Thwaits in Warwick

scoobwrx94import

soz mate your a good distance from me im in montrose between aberdeen and dundee i would say make sure u get sumone who nos plenty about them as i watched my mate do it and its a c*nt of a job thats also how i got my manifold all painted up while my car was in bits also would say to use genuine subaru gaskets so i was told hope u get it sorted buddy

timmy2take

iTrader: (7)

A lot of garages will have a head gasket sniffer test kit that you just put over the header tank and see if theres any leakages within seconds as the dye will change colour. Just ring round and see if anyone local to you has one.

pikeywrx

iTrader: (5)

Also iv never done it on a scooby but on other cars i run half a dishwasher tablet through coolant run it for 5 minutes then dump it out and put clean coolant back in

MikeCardiff

iTrader: (2)

Get it into any local garage and ask them to do a sniffer test to see if it actually is the HG - if not, then you can get someone to explore further.

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

Depends also if

1) Only doing one or Both Heads
2) Classic, newage or newage 2,5ltr.
3) 2,5ltr, Standard or uprated gaskets
4) How well the heads are serviced once off
5) Replaced Head studs
6) Replace Cam Belt
7) Mates rates, Dealer and you pay or Dealer under Warranty and Subaru UK pay
8) Add VAT

So lots of variables which will alter the price paid considerably £700 up to £3000

A mate had his done on a 2007 2.5ltr at a Dealer under warranty (extended because of high miles) and ended up closer to £3,000.

Tony

the_big_1

iTrader: (1)

Is there anything out there to clean the coolant system out?

Butty

iTrader: (2)

I see on other threads that you've got quite high oil consumption and a misfire as well.
I'd ring up the dealer and quote your symptoms to see if they'll take it on as a warranty job.

Nick

the_big_1

iTrader: (1)

This missfire is down to the fuel type as if I run on one type it seems to be OK, if it runs off, I reset the ECU and its fine. Car is out of warranty.
I know some cars do use oil, I had a new passat a couple of years ago and they go through almost a liter every 10,000 miles. You even get oil in a nice VW leath holder lol