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Old 07-14-2020, 03:35 PM   #1
teahead
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Default Picked up this 2003 Outback...head gasket leak or no?

EJ25. Receipts show full engine rebuild using SixStar HGs 70k miles ago.

Valve cover gaskets leaking, however there appears some faint wetness on the driver's side head gasket mating area on the bottom.

Passenger's looks fine.

No overheating. Nothing in the coolant.

Should I bother changing the HG?

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Old 07-15-2020, 03:35 PM   #2
yarrgh
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no345
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Old 07-18-2020, 11:23 AM   #3
serrilion
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I would honestly take a shop rag, spray break clean on it, wipe of the spot, note the spot and check it in a couple of days and see if it has reappeared. If it has then you may want to look further into it, honestly if its still running well, and no issues I wouldn't put to much thought into it.
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Old 07-19-2020, 09:48 AM   #4
Elbert Bass
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Would depend on if that stained area was worse on the back side of the head.

Looking at the picture you provide from the point of view as a Subaru Senior Master Tech that spent 8 years too long in dealers I say no. Even if it were Friday afternoon and I only had 2 hours on the books I would not say that was NOT a head gasket leak that was in need of attention. That is barely wet. Now if the back of that head at the gasket is black, oily, and looks like an oozing sore...

Start putting back a few dollars so when it is time you have the funds to have the heads resurfaced and do the job right.
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Old 07-20-2020, 09:32 AM   #5
D-rock240
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The benefit of this gen is the HG leaks externally, I just add some coolant every few months.
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Old 07-21-2020, 09:31 AM   #6
Elbert Bass
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Quote:
Originally Posted by D-rock240 View Post
The benefit of this gen is the HG leaks externally, I just add some coolant every few months.
Usually SOHC leak oil first - the oil return galleys are on the bottom of the head and that is where they seep first. Once they start losing coolant (tan sludge or plain coolant) it is time to do the repair. You add oil until the coolant starts to leak. Coolant in oil or combustion chambers will ruin things.
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