A&A The Shop Speaks Out on the Subaru Head Gasket Issue

Subaru makes one of the best engineered automobile engines in the world but, A&A the Shop has seen an increasing number of Subaru cars with failing head gaskets. This generally happens around the 100,000 mile mark and needs to be repaired quickly, before even more extensive damage occurs to your car's engine. While Subaru is aware of the problem, they only offered to extend the manufacturer's guarantee on certain 2003 models; it was extended to 8 years or 100,000.

The Subaru Head Gasket Problem

A number of Subaru models are affected, however the most common failures include the 2.5 Liter SOHC engine used in the late 1999-2004, Forester, Impreza, Outback and Legacy.

Signs and symptoms of engine head gasket failure include:

• Engine overheating
• Unexplained loss of engine coolant without an obvious sign of leakage
• Coolant with an odor of engine exhaust or oil
• Discolored coolant in the coolant recovery container (sooty of black color)

Call A&A The Shop

If a Subaru dealership replaces your head gaskets expect to pay $2,000 or more and have the same part that failed installed again. However, A&A the Shop is Anchorage's alternative to this is a head gasket designed to our specifications that is now being used nationwide. Our service technicians are experienced Subaru mechanics and we always use parts that meet or exceed OEM specifications. Call us at 907-562-3919 to answer any questions you have about your Subaru and its head gaskets or bring your car in for an estimate. We are located at 4617 Old Seward Hwy Anchorage, AK (map). You can email us too!

Replace the Head Gaskets Not the Car

Even though replacing the head gaskets on a Subaru is an expensive repair, the good news is that we at A&A back up all parts and labor with our 24 month/24,000 mile warranty. We have changed the design of the head gasket and the replacement gaskets do the job extremely well. Subaru brand cars are renowned for their durability and most Subaru cars can easily give you an additional 100,000 miles or more following a head gasket replacement.

Replacing the head gaskets gives us the opportunity to make other important needed maintenance while we have your motor disassembled. Seals and gaskets that are subject to wear will be changed out during the replacement of your head gaskets. In addition, the water pump, timing belt and timing belt tensioner pulley can be replaced for far less than normal while the engine is out.

A&A does a thorough inspection of your car before asking you to authorize the work so that if any other potential and costly issues are found you can make an informed decision. Certainly, you would be a bit put out to discover after a major engine repair that you also need a new exhaust system!

Prevention

There is no known way of preventing your head gaskets from failing on your Subaru. However, following proper maintenance schedules and using genuine Subaru parts and fluids will helpto prolong the time of failure. A&A wants you to know that not all cars will fail. That is why when we do your oil change we physically inspect head gaskets to see any early warning signs of failure. Early detection of failed head gaskets is important to prevent other damage to your engine. Once repaired your car will give you thousands of miles of service without the head gasket problem reoccurring. Trust your Subaru to A&A the Shop and get the most professional, affordable, and reliable Subaru head gasket replacement in Anchorage. Call us now at 907-562-3919.