# 2004 Subaru legacy gasket issues - chances that Subaru will pay for it? I can't afford too! **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** legacy, subaru\ **Created:** [February 3, 2014, 8:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514 "2014-02-03T08:30:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Bluegill](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bluegill/32/2813_2.png) [@Bluegill](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bluegill)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2014, 7:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514/81 "2014-02-12T07:52:07Z")
It looks from their website that Target only sells one brand of wiper blades, Rain-X. I don’t know much about them. If you want more options, though, any auto parts store should also sell wiper blades of various brands and quality. ---
**Author:** ![eelise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/db5fbb/32.png) [@eelise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eelise)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2014, 7:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514/82 "2014-02-12T07:57:53Z")
ok - thanks - I assume I should not buy this from wherever I get my car fixed as it will be too much? Thanks for checking! Another thread talks about wiper blades and someone said that rain x was bad… ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2014, 8:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514/83 "2014-02-12T08:00:04Z")
Walmart is a good place for wipers. I get either the less expensive Bosch or Michelin blades. And only the belt is suspect, not the pump or idler, etc. ---
**Author:** ![eelise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/db5fbb/32.png) [@eelise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eelise)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2014, 8:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514/84 "2014-02-12T08:01:58Z")
if the cost ends up being the same - does it matter where I get this fixed ? Dealer vs local garage? Thanks for the input -an assertive woman armed with information - I can be scary! ---
**Author:** ![eelise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/db5fbb/32.png) [@eelise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eelise)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2014, 5:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514/85 "2014-02-14T05:16:35Z")
Have not heard from my new friend Aaron at Subaru of America about if they can do better than $500 help- I am going to call tomorrow- I hope this is a good sign…still being hopeful! ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2014, 7:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514/86 "2014-02-14T07:40:13Z")
@eelise If the water pump is driven by the timing belt, you’d better do it now, as part of the repair ---
**Author:** ![eelise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/db5fbb/32.png) [@eelise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eelise)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2014, 7:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514/87 "2014-02-14T07:45:36Z")
i had the water pump changed 1 year ago - you think I should replace it again ? ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2014, 7:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514/88 "2014-02-14T07:54:18Z")
@eelise In that case, your water pump should be fine ---
**Author:** ![eelise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/db5fbb/32.png) [@eelise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eelise)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2014, 8:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514/89 "2014-02-14T08:13:58Z")
so the consensus seems to be replace timing belt even if it’s a year old cause it may have gotten oil or something dripped on it - ok - sounds like everyone agrees that all the other things that go with timing belt etc don’t need to be replaced. ---
**Author:** ![eelise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/db5fbb/32.png) [@eelise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eelise)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2014, 8:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514/90 "2014-02-18T20:50:59Z")
reviving this for a question…still waiting to hear about my final stipend from Subaru - the sales manager was giving me advice - it was nice to have that support:) But- he said that the $2600 was for replacing both gaskets. He acknowledged the problem in Subarus ( that was nice) - does anyone think I am best getting both gaskets fixed ? This almost sounds like more bang for my buck if they are replacing 2 gaskets and not one ? The drivers side one is leaking. Thoughts team ? ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2014, 9:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514/91 "2014-02-18T21:01:42Z")
If you have it done, definitely get both done, much of the work is pulling the engine, it’s not like they’d do one for half the price. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2014, 9:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514/92 "2014-02-18T21:02:25Z")
**"does anyone think I am best getting both gaskets fixed ?"** Let me ask you a question: When you take your shoes to be repaired, do you tell the shoemaker to replace just one heel or just one sole? Why would you assume that the gasket on the other bank of cylinders wouldn’t need the same repair w/in a short period of time? ---
**Author:** ![eelise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/db5fbb/32.png) [@eelise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eelise)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2014, 10:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514/93 "2014-02-18T22:03:37Z")
ok - that makes the subaru deal more promising- thanks! ---
**Author:** ![dieseldog671](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@dieseldog671](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dieseldog671)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2014, 11:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514/94 "2014-02-18T23:15:30Z")
I have 2 '05 Outbacks; 1@ 157K and the other (was) @ 91K when head gaskets went; dealer wanted $4400+ to fix; found a certifable mechanic and he fixed it for $2800 and tax; no rhyme or reason for gasket failure other than product design and who manufactures parts for Subaru; SUBARU WOULD NOT PAY ONE CENT OR GIVE ME GASKETS-ALL OUT OF POCKET; CAUTION, when replacing head gaskets, I very strongly recommend you replace the water pump; some dealers will not replace the water pump if is not leaking; choose not replace it and you are facing another $400 to $600 again (mostly labor intensive);CAUTION #2- have your catalytic system checked at the same time, mine went and cost an additional $1100 to pass inspection…now the '05 w/157K is in the same boat; not sure I want another Subaru ---
**Author:** ![eelise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/db5fbb/32.png) [@eelise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eelise)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2014, 11:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514/95 "2014-02-18T23:24:53Z")
water pump replaced last year and catalytic converted issue fixed last year under a warranty. so - I am good there. sounds like I have a decent deal at Subaru based on what you all are telling me - making me feel good! ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2014, 1:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514/96 "2014-02-19T01:11:22Z")
Definitely get both head gaskets replaced. When one fails the other is close behind. ---
**Author:** ![eelise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/db5fbb/32.png) [@eelise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eelise)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2014, 8:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514/97 "2014-02-19T08:18:14Z")
in that case - the dealer is a better deal - so far…I guess I could ask what the price would be at my local shop- Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2014, 11:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514/98 "2014-02-19T11:45:54Z")
If it was my car I would use the shop that has the most experience working on Soobs, regardless of the price. Generally speaking, shops with less experience can sometimes overlook things that a more experienced shop would catch right of the bat. ---
**Author:** ![eelise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/db5fbb/32.png) [@eelise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eelise)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2014, 8:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514/99 "2014-02-19T20:00:30Z")
oh- the final offer is on as I am told! They are offering $750 off a repair at the dealer and that would be replacing both gaskets that seems to be the consensus if I am going to spend the money…thanks for everyone’s help - I appreciate my great support team - I guess my thread can be closed - but it was sure nice chatting with everyone! ---
**Author:** ![eelise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/db5fbb/32.png) [@eelise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eelise)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2014, 3:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514/100 "2014-02-20T03:20:34Z")
one last thought - Subaru says that I need to have along with the timing belt the thing that holds the timing belt changed too - all of this I changed 2 year ago. May 2013 a bit less than a year ago. and I need new bulbs in my dash to see my speedometer - will it be that much more expensive at the dealer to fix ? [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514.md?page=4) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-legacy-gasket-issues-chances-that-subaru-will-pay-for-it-i-cant-afford-too/83514.md?page=6)