I have a 2007 Subaru Outback. What is the cost to replace the head gasket vs the cost of the cylinder head?
Asked by SydDew Dec 02, 2017 at 02:21 PM about the 2007 Subaru Outback 2.5i Basic Wagon AWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
My car overheated then died right when I got to the mechanic. It turned over
once more then died again....The mechanic later called me with the
diagnosis. I was at work and really busy. I can't remember if he said I needed
a new head gasket (which was likely) or if I need a new cylinder head. The
gasket I assume is what actually needs replacing. What is the likelihood I'd
need a new cylinder head (the more expensive repair)?
15 Answers
If it has lots of miles I would have the cylinder heads rebuilt while it is apart. Yes, it will cost more. How much? Ask your mechanic.
The mechanic says $2,500... this seems about $1,000 more than it should be. It is high milage. About 175,000
$2500 for cylinder heads on a Subaru seems about in the ballpark to me.
Overheating aluminum engines can make the heads warp.
@ F_O_R..... do you think it'd cost $2500 to fix? I found a friend of a co worker who can do it heads for $1500...
Unless the engine is disassembled and inspected I could only guess but 2.5k seems reasonable.
Don't let anybody without Subaru experience touch the heads or do the repair, because you will likely be doing it again if you do.
I found a mechanic who knows Subarus (and BMWs, Mercedes, etc) who is willing to do it for $900 less.
If the heads need to be rebuilt or surfaced I doubt the cheap price includes it. Get the complete estimate in writing with details.
TheSubaruGuruBoston answered 6 years ago
Hang on! There is NO WAY to know if you need a new head (or two) until they're removed and tested at a good machine shop. If cracked or too warped to flatten within spec THEN you buy a new one. That said, the great majority of 2006-2009 2.5i motors get resealed with new head gaskets WITHOUT needing a head replacement. But do NOT omit the pro machine shop testing and assuring clean flat surfaces. It's about $150-200 total and well worth it. Your mechanic will take a whole day replacing the HGs, so figure $300 for parts, $1k for labor, and $200 for machine shop sublet. Your water pump will probably NOT need replacing, so don't sweat that. But DO check the idler and tensioner pulleys while replacing the t-belt on the way out. Your $900-less wrench is probably assuming your heads will prove ok. Just make sure he sends them out for assessment.
Thank you, GuruBoston and the rest...I towed it home and I'm not sure what my next move is. The mechanic ran tests and had determined it was the head, I guess.
Until the heads are removed they cannot know for sure but good luck.
Okay. So the mechanic says its the head gasket(not the cylinder head. $2,500 is way over priced
TheSubaruGuruBoston answered 6 years ago
Shop around for a wrench who's experienced doing MANY of these, and you'll get a good job done c $1600...including outside machine shop work. Just be diligent.
