Been a year since the last post on this thread. But the problem is still with us.
In the past 10 days three Subaru’s, 2001, 2002, 2003 that I had checked out by my mechanic on a pre-purchase inspection had the beginnings of head gasket leaks. As in my mechanic’s experience, all were on the left front of the engine. Mileage ranged from 91-115,000. Two Forester’s and a Legacy.
I have heard all the excuses, that other cars have head gasket failures, if we get to 100k miles what are we complaining about. All bosh. I have owned a lot of cars in my life. Take them to high mileage unless they get totaled, as my Prelude did at 190k. My first, a '62 Ford Falcon went to 219k. None of my cars ever had a head gasket failure, except my 1997 Outback where the head gasket failed around 120,000 miles. The prevalence of this problem is undeniable on Subaru’s of this vintage. It is shameful that the company let this go on for so long.