# Replacing just the head gasket vs. complete overhaul after overheating an engine? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** outback, valves, gaskets, engines, subaru\ **Created:** [November 24, 2010, 3:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-just-the-head-gasket-vs-complete-overhaul-after-overheating-an-engine/57934 "2010-11-24T15:19:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 7:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-just-the-head-gasket-vs-complete-overhaul-after-overheating-an-engine/57934/21 "2010-11-26T07:18:32Z")
If a head gasket is blown on a specific cylinder then any test for ring problems on that cylinder is irrelevant but it could be relevant on the non-affected cylinders. If a ring problem is present on any cylinder not related to a head gasket breach then you would be looking at either an engine overhaul or a top end job, which means heads and rings. The latter can be iffy at best because while the pistons can be removed the connecting rods cannot. This means a cylinder hone is not going to go very deep into the cylinder. (See below) It is not possible to drop the pan on a Subaru and inspect the piston rings or crankshaft bearings. This is a boxer style engine and doing that would require removal of the engine from the car and the splitting of the engine block. This means a complete diassembly of the engine which of course would mean a complete overhaul in putting it back together. ---
**Author:** ![repotimfl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea5d25/32.png) [@repotimfl](https://community.cartalk.com/u/repotimfl)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 8:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-just-the-head-gasket-vs-complete-overhaul-after-overheating-an-engine/57934/22 "2010-11-26T08:14:25Z")
12 year old opposing 4 made of aluminum. If a shop says lets fix it run. You could always have a used one installed but the front cover would have to done and tune up items regardless. Best bet is possibly a new car. I had an 87 Subaru XT 2wd. Not known as a great car but it did last 190K before it STBed. Mechanic looked at it and said, “Its a shame, not a scratch on it but its worn out” "Please don’t make me put an engine in this" So it was traded in, glad I did not put the money out. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-just-the-head-gasket-vs-complete-overhaul-after-overheating-an-engine/57934.md?page=1)