Yes, a well-reputed independent mechanic’s shop should be your next stop.
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When I hear of a possible head gasket complaint I always perform a series of tests. Compression test (both dry and wet) first, a cooling system pressure test, and an exhaust gas test.
In the event of a bad compression reading I always follow that up with a second and even a third test with another gauge to rule out a gauge error. Before I tell anyone they have a serious engine problem I’m going to be 100% certain and then some. A leak down test is not even necessary.
Point about compression here. If there is a compression issue related to piston rings the last thing in the world you want to face is “Well, I spent 6 grand on head gaskets and now they tell me I need a new engine because…”.
That would go over as well as a pack of hyenas at a lion/wildebeest BBQ.
The fan issue needs to be resolved before throwing out a 6 grand “possible” head gasket repair on an engine not known for that problem.
Offhand, sounds like the tech has done no testing and is making a blanket assumption based on his “million times” theory.
That is not even close to reasonable.
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I am so in agreement with @ok4450 on this. I used to belong to a popular Subaru forum until I mentioned some sub par engineering by Subaru, not a popular subject there.
But when I was a member in good standing, there were many posts about the head gasket issue on the 4 cylinders and most of them had the head gaskets replaced for under a grand, at the dealership. It appears that Subaru mechanics are so experienced with this that they can beat any independent mechanic on time and price. It would be a little over a grand for those who needed a timing belt.
I don’t recall any complaints about the 6 blowing head gaskets.
For a follow up, I have contacted a local shop that is known to do a lot of work on Subaru’s. They are going to look at the car next week and know all of the issues/work done to date.
I think you are doing the right thing. I would also suggest running a dry and wet compression test. The main thing you are looking for with this test is a piston ring issue. A ring problem presents another wrinkle as it involves going deeper than head gaskets and head servicing.
I have done ring jobs on Subarus without splitting the block but it’s kind of a delicate operation due to the small ends of the connecting rods protruding into the cylinders.
This means the use of a tool to center the rods and the use of a rigid stone cylinder hone instead of a bottle brush hone. A tiny bit too deep and the hone can end up in the scrap pile.
If you have the dry/wet compression test done post back with the numbers. They should write those down for you and the reason for my asking is that compression numbers are often misinterpreted with low numbers claimed to be good and so on. Best of luck.
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Update, the local shop started checking individual components bc, similar to many of you, was suspect of a head gasket failure in a 6 cyl. He found the plug to the fan was melted. He replaced and the fan came on when the AC was turned on and when the engine came up to the necessary temp, two things that never happened prior. I plan on contacting the dealership and requesting a refund.
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That shop sounds like a keeper!
All too many mechanics–apparently including some at your local dealership–don’t seem to be aware that those six-cylinder engines are pretty-much bullet proof.
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Guess that makes you kind of happy that you did not wade into a needless, almost 6 grand worth of head gasket repairs.
Coughing up that much only to have an overheating car would be more than a little irritating.
Sounds like they were starting at the end of the alphabet and working their way backwards.
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… and it proves that ok4450 was correct when he suggested that the cause of the overheating was likely something other than a breached head gasket.
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You can try, but I’m doubtful. I forget, what all did the dealer do?
I’m not entirely sure. I think just guessed. It was supposedly a ‘Master Technician’ though. Final follow up, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. I called every day for about 4 days and finally got through to the service manager and she refunded my diagnostic charge.
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Great news and they did the right thing by refunding that charge on a horribly thought out (or lack of) misdiagnosis.
Something to keep in mind for the future. “Certified” and “Master” may or may not mean anything. Someone can be a poor mechanic or diagnostician and still hold a certificate if they are good at passing a multiple choice test.
An import shop about 30 miles from me had an owner and all techs there who were fully ASE certified. The wall was plastered with certificates and a large outdoor ASE sign was also hung. The place is closed now due to the owner’s retirement but they were around for almost 40 years.
The shop? The biggest bunch of incompetents and crooks to walk the planet. Every car that came in needed near a grand in fuel injection work if it had a performance problem. Most of those people came to me for a second opinion and I never found a single one that needed much of anything at all to right the ship.
Couple of them were so minor I fixed them in a few minutes outside and did not even write up a repair order. Just told them to keep me in mind when it was something a bit more major.
They shared a large lot with a wrecker service and were even stealing parts off of customer cars for resale to unknowing customers. Good way to improve the profit margin if your ethics are zero…
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