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Oil leak in head gasket..
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tafkadb
New User
Jun 7, 2011, 9:34 AM
Post #1 of 9
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Oil leak in head gasket..
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Car is a 2002 Subaru Forester, 110k. Had it in yesterday to determine why there were small amounts of oil forming under it during the last week. Part of the problem was the result of a poor job done during the last oil change and is now fixed, but the dealer found a very minor oil leak in the head gasket.
I know next to nothing about auto repair, and I'm wondering what everyone here would expect to pay to get this fixed. I was given a quote of 1800. I'm also wondering whether this is something that has to be fixed (the mechanic seemed to indicate that it is not urgent but ought to be fixed if I planned on driving the car for another 100k or so) or if I could let it go or even do some non-expert maintenance to it to avoid any problems.
Thanks.
(This post was edited by tafkadb on Jun 7, 2011, 9:36 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 7, 2011, 10:54 AM
Post #2 of 9
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Re: Oil leak in head gasket..
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Appreciate your saying you knew next to nothing as that helps us help you!
What went wrong with this last oil change to cause you to saying that it was poorly done? Did they spill oil? Did you complain or bring up an oil leak where you park or something?
Yes a head gasket could leak oil but so far I suggest another option based on what you said.
Without fail - learn how to check your own oil manually, watch it and all gauges and warnings till a credible diagnosis has you convinced,
T
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tafkadb
New User
Jun 7, 2011, 11:56 AM
Post #3 of 9
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Re: Oil leak in head gasket..
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Basically, I was finding spots of oil under my car. So, I took it in to get checked and they found some issues.
I don't know what exactly was wrong, but they changed the oil while it was in and said that once they changed it the issue was gone. So, that is totally resolved and not an issue any longer
The other source was the head gasket. It has very minor leaks on both sides and even this morning I found small spots of oil in my driveway.
I'm mainly wondering what I should reasonably expect to pay to get it resealed or beyond that, if I even need too.
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Mr.scotty
Enthusiast
Jun 7, 2011, 2:00 PM
Post #4 of 9
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Re: Oil leak in head gasket..
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And they are sure it's not just the valve cover gasket leaking down on to the head making it look like the head gasket is leaking?
I would clean the engine up the best i could then drive it for a few days and keep checking and see if you can see what's leaking before it drips onto anything else.
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Your only as good as your tools!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 7, 2011, 2:55 PM
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Re: Oil leak in head gasket..
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I'm not there looking which hurts for something like this. I just find it interesting that two head gaskets both are leaking just this way?!
Anything is possible but head gaskets can leak anything they seal in any direction and for two to have the exact same issue and you would do both if one was bad just seems unlikely to me.
If you can identify the spot, clean it - heck - put talcum power on it and watch the trail or get a diagnosis that's credible as so far I'm not totally convinced and do think techs are mostly not trying to make up work for no real reason and not saying that but would like to see this diagnosed for sure, not guessing,
T
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zmame
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/ Moderator
Jun 7, 2011, 4:06 PM
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Re: Oil leak in head gasket..
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like Tom said clean it very well I would also add dye to the oil so you can pinpoint where it's coming from. I do know that those Subaru boxer style engine are know for headgaskets, but not sure how they leak internaly or externaly.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 8, 2011, 3:41 AM
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Re: Oil leak in head gasket..
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Z - anyone: I think they can leak any dang way they feel like it but both the exact same way at the same time I just don't find very common??
Tom
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zmame
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Jun 8, 2011, 4:38 AM
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Re: Oil leak in head gasket..
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I guess I should have worded that better. I don't know which way the headgaskets commonly leak.. as far as weather it's the head gaskets or not if they did not degrease the engine and re-inspect then it's not properly diagnosed(in my opinion). I would get a second opinion for sure odds are it wouldn't be leaking from both head gaskets, but weirder things have happened.
(This post was edited by zmame on Jun 8, 2011, 4:39 AM)
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mikethomsun
New User
Jun 9, 2011, 3:57 AM
Post #9 of 9
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Re: Oil leak in head gasket..
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Oil leakage in head gasket is due to several reasons, when the joint surface is not cleaned propley or damage, The cylinder head bolts or nuts have been tightened incorrectly, another cause of warping.
NO SPAM
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jun 9, 2011, 12:37 PM)
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