QLD Leaking Head Gasket Issue

[Davendran Prusuthman]

I purchased a used 2013 Subaru IMPREZA WRX S-Edition the month of Oct 2017 with the Odometer at around 74k from Zupps Subaru Mt Gravatt for price of AUD 26,993 stating the car has always had logbook servicing and was in excellent condition. I did have a private inspectiona and everything checked out

During my ownership I have always got my car serviced accordingly every 6 months at Zupps Subaru Mt Gravatt and followed all the recommendation for what needs to be done to the car no expense spared all using genuine OEM parts. The car has no performance or engine modification ever done to it and is driven by me and is taken care of immaculately.

When I took my car in my last service Sat 23rd Nov 2019 the service manager informed me my car has leaking head gaskets from both sides of the engine and quoted me to fix the problem for a price of around AUD 4000. The cause of the issue was given around it happens because the age of the car. The car has had no issues around overheating at all otherwise I would have taken it straight to the dealership

I have sanctioned for the fix as I have no choice as I need the car. Upon doing some research online and speaking to more Subaru specialist they have informed me that this should not have happened to a car which such low kilometers and good service history.

I do understand if this happened at around say 125k km to 150k km this is a normal wear and tear issue and I would bear the cost happily. But seeing the car is around 7 years old and only done 85k this seems like a major failure of the gaskets.

Do I have any ground to stand on with ACL ?

 

[Scruff]

None at all, in fact your problem is probably a direct side effect of the low kms. If a car isn't driven much, you are more likely to have problems with gaskets, seals, rubbers and rusting exhaust systems.

Ford 4.0L engines in particular are well known for blowing head gaskets if you only drive low kms.

That said, $4000 to change a head gasket is ridiculous - you should get some quotes. You will always pay over the top prices for repairs like that at a dealership.

 

[Davendran Prusuthman]

But I do drive the car in the weekend every weekend so I I don't think having it not driven in the weekdays has caused this ?

I could not get any quotes as the said the car is not
mto be driven so I have to get it done with them.
What can I do my situation has changed as I don't have to drive the car to work and only drive in the weekends does that mean I am always going to have these problems ?

 

[Atticus]

I could not get any quotes as the said the car is not
mto be driven so I have to get it done with them.

Did you drive it there?.... If so you can almost certainly drive it home if it's just a leaking gasket. Just check oil level is okay before driving..

You could then call others & get a quote for head gasket replacement, or call a mobile mechanic to come to your home & do the job... Almost guarantee it will be about $3,000 less than that quote...

 

[Davendran Prusuthman]

Did you drive it there?.... If so you can almost certainly drive it home if it's just a leaking gasket. Just check oil level is okay before driving..

You could then call others & get a quote for head gasket replacement, or call a mobile mechanic to come to your home & do the job... Almost guarantee it will be about $3,000 less than that quote...

Thanks I did drive it there . I have already sanctioned the work .. I did call other places they quoted about 3700 to 3500 so there was not much difference as it was a Subaru they were just more shocked a car that low mileage has that issue . I did email Subaru australia stating my case but by the sounds of the replies here it might be a solid no

 

[Scruff]

I don't think anyone can say for sure, it has to do with things like temperatures, humidiy, condensation, etc - even the car being garaged or not can have an effect.

I would definately recommend a short midweek drive over letting a car sit for five days though. Just long enough to get everything up to temperature should be enough. That will prolong battery and exhaust life and possibly gaskets and rubbers as well.

The experience that I've had with Fords is that head gasket and exhaust life is significantly reduced if you do anything less than around 10,000kms/year - but there are a lot of variables.

 

[Atticus]

I did call other places they quoted about 3700 to 3500

WOW... That's nuts... I won't be buying a Subaru

 

[Davendran Prusuthman]

WOW... That's nuts... I won't be buying a Subaru

It is because the whole engine has to come out

 

[Davendran Prusuthman]

I don't think anyone can say for sure, it has to do with things like temperatures, humidiy, condensation, etc - even the car being garaged or not can have an effect.

I would definately recommend a short midweek drive over letting a car sit for five days though. Just long enough to get everything up to temperature should be enough. That will prolong battery and exhaust life and possibly gaskets and rubbers as well.

The experience that I've had with Fords is that head gasket and exhaust life is significantly reduced if you do anything less than around 10,000kms/year - but there are a lot of variables.

Thanks I think I will do that after the repairs . I love driving my car hence the reason I got it but I guess a midweek drive will do good for the mind also .. my car is fully garaged away from the Brisbane heat !!!

 

[Scruff]

I think they're all having you on. According to AutoGuru (I have no idea how reliable that site is), a head gasket replacement should start at around $1200. Quoting $3000+ up front sounds like they're charging for repairs that they don't even know will be needed and probably won't be performed.

AutoGuru - Subaru WRX head gasket replacement costs & repairs