How much should it cost to replace a head gasket in a 1997 Subaru Legacy Outback?

Question

My mechanic is not sure of the problem, but I have been doing some research and want to know the cost incase this is the repair needed. There is an intermittent misfire in cylinder #1. I don't know the specific code, but it seems to be the same one every time I bring it in. He keeps saying he needs it to be misfiring at the very moment he checks it or he won't know what's wrong. I have taken it in over a dozen times and can't afford to go any more days without a car just for them not to fix it time and time again.

If you have any thoughts or suggestions (other than giving me a replacement price), I would greatly appreciate it. I feel I bought a lemon and it is very frustrating!

Oh well...thanks again!

They reset the check engine light every time I go in. Maybe I need a new mechanic all together!

Wires and plugs have been replaced as far as I know. I know for sure all the plugs were replaced though.

Answer 1

First of all, under what conditions are you facing the miss-firing? Running cold, hot, uphill, downhill, in reverse, at a certain speed or whilst cornering even? Allow me to explain please. The head gasket keeps the radiator heating/cooling fluid separate from the cylinder and the oil and all the rest of where it's not supposed to go. Plus, when the engine is put together, you have to have something to keep the two halves of the engine from rubbing together and wearing out! (Actually, there are about six pieces to the whole engine housing not counting the oil pan) Replacing the head gasket would not only involve that gasket itself, but also the valve cover gasket as well as the timing belt housing gaskets, the belts themselves(the belts are NOT to be re-used after removal!), etc., etc. and so on. Get a new mechanic who knows what he/she is doing please! Every time your current mechanic is re-setting the engine trouble light, he's masking the problem! The car's electronic control module(e.c.m.) needs to be able to gather ALL the information it can in order to better tell the mechanic what is and isn't wrong with the car. By the way, it sounds as if you are having a ignition module or alternator problem to me. Check the ignition modual(s) first though, as you don't have to take them out of the car to test them!

Answer 2

1997 Subaru Legacy Outback

Answer 3

97 Subaru Legacy Outback

Answer 4

A head gasket should cost $1000-$1200 (mostly labor, the gasket itself cheap)..

I doubt that is your problem. I assume you've stared by replacing your plugs and wires, and have also done a compression test. If all that has been done and still no solution I'd take it to a subaru dealer instead of your mechanic, they will fix it right, but they will charge a little more.

Answer 5

Are there any leaks? If so what is leaking? If not its not the head gaskets. Try have the plugs and wires checked. Is there a check engine light on? It may just be a stored code in the computers memory. Switch to using 5w-30 oil all year round if you haven't already.

Answer 6

in the beginning, there's no genuine way for oil to get to radiator. So, scratch that. 2d, you will no longer scent antifreeze popping out of exhaust. in straight forward terms thank you to inform, is to empty the oil and notice if it appears that evidently espresso with milk (easy darkish-ish). yet, before all of that, for overheating issues, examine if there is an air bubble interior the cooling device (there must be a small (10mm or 8mm) nut, so which you will air it out. do no longer leap on the keep estimate, and your stepdad is an fool. Sorry to assert, regardless of the undeniable fact that that's real.

Answer 7

If it's a misfire there is a stored code. You need to get it reset