# Subaru Head Gaskets

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/subaru-head-gaskets/77742>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** subaru\
**Created:** [March 3, 2013, 1:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subaru-head-gaskets/77742 "2013-03-03T01:02:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Zeppy\_Kleinfeld](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ba9def/32.png) [@Zeppy\_Kleinfeld](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Zeppy_Kleinfeld)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2013, 1:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subaru-head-gaskets/77742/1 "2013-03-03T01:02:45Z")

</div>

My 2006 Outback needs a new Head Gasket. I know, this is a big surprise for all Subaru Owners!! Here’s my question: Should I replace it with a Subaru OEM Headgasket, or an Aftermarket Head Gasket?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2013, 3:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subaru-head-gaskets/77742/2 "2013-03-03T03:22:59Z")

</div>

Considering the large amount of labor involved relative to the cost of the gasket, I would go for the best Subaru gasket available.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2013, 6:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subaru-head-gaskets/77742/3 "2013-03-03T06:49:26Z")

</div>

Replace the head gaskets with a quality aftermarket head gasket set. The aftermarket looks at the weak areas of the orginal head gasket design and then improves on that design to prevent a simular failure. If you install head gaskets from the dealer, you get the same head gaskets with their weak areas that originally came on the engine.

Tester

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [March 3, 2013, 7:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subaru-head-gaskets/77742/4 "2013-03-03T07:16:07Z")

</div>

@Tester the manufacturers do eventually improve their design and offer improved parts.

I’m specifically thinking of Mercedes, GM and Ford  
I wouldn’t be surprised if the other guys are the same.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2013, 7:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subaru-head-gaskets/77742/5 "2013-03-03T07:33:44Z")

</div>

@db4690 If the dealer still has the original head gaskets in their stock, they’re more than willing to sell them off. I don’t think any business is willing to toss millions of dollars of inventory into the dumpster.

Tester

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jdmere](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jdmere/32/3002_2.png) [@jdmere](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jdmere)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2013, 7:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subaru-head-gaskets/77742/6 "2013-03-03T19:04:08Z")

</div>

It’s my understanding that Subaru improved their head gaskets because of the common failures earlier. I could be wrong. The OP could post to a Subaru Outback forum and get input from owners who may have more up to date information.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![oblivion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3ab097/32.png) [@oblivion](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oblivion)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2013, 10:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subaru-head-gaskets/77742/7 "2013-03-03T22:32:16Z")

</div>

…they must not have improved them much by 2006.