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Head gasket OEM Toyota or OEM Subaru
Reviews
it was from the garbage head gasket era, and it still had its original factory head gaskets on it when I finally pulled the motor to turbo swap it earlier this year. It had 270,000km on it. So overall, for 10 years of ownership it was pretty damn reliable.
Pros: long lasting, original factory
Vehicle:
Subaru Forester
Mileage: 270000 km
I can't recommend calling around to other mechanics/dealerships enough. Did the head gaskets on my subie, have done them on all subies, but on the most recent one earlier this year. The range in expected cost I was quoted ranged from 2700-8k. Went with the 2700 option, a local, family owned subaru mechanic, and have had zero issues since.
Pros: zero issues since
Vehicle:
Subaru
Use the MLS headgaskets... subaru part number 11044AA770. I never use the single layer gaskets when I do NA motors. Also stick with OEM parts. Especially when doing head gaskets.
Pros: OEM quality, reliable
Part number: 11044AA770
If it's the typical 2.5 SOHC H4, that is the year and same mileage where my head gaskets failed on my Legacy of that generation. The failures are external leaks almost all the time so if you see drops of oil on your driveway, it's a good chance they are weeping.
Cons: external leaks, oil drops
Vehicle:
Subaru Legacy
I did have one issue on my 2012 Sequoia, I had the dreaded leaking head gasket oil leak. Cost me a little over $2k to fix. Not common but man took me by surprise.
Cons: leaking oil, costly repair
Vehicle:
Toyota Sequoia
I have a 2010 Prius that has been a daily driver and has 425000km on it. It ran perfect with only brakes and oil changes until 390000km when the head gasket went. Mechanic said the engine wasn't powerful enough to harm itself and after the replacement it's been running great.
Pros: running great after repair
Cons: head gasket failed
Vehicle:
Toyota Prius
Mileage: 390000 km
Ct200h or Prius 2zr-fxe because the headgasket will fail at 150k and you have to replace the pcv often because it gets stuck open and burns oil...
Cons: headgasket will fail
Vehicle:
Toyota Prius
Mileage: 150000 km
Did have to do head gaskets in the 4runner ten or so years ago but it hasn't had any other real issues.
Cons: head gasket failure
Vehicle:
Toyota 4runner
My 2015 Crosstrek blew a head gasket at 141k, only once ever let the oil change get past 5000 miles. Been disappointed with this car so far, needing a new engine, it'll probably be the end of my Subaru ownership.
Cons: head gasket failure, engine replacement
Vehicle:
Subaru
Mileage: 141000 km
Just from a bit of personal experience and a few friends stories, the 2ZR-FE. For a motor used in so many of their cars (2009-2012 Corolla and 2010-2015 Prius) you wouldn't think they'd be blowing head gaskets at all. I have the same motor in my Scion xD and blew the HG at 150k miles.
Cons: blowing head gaskets
Mileage: 150000 km
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