Free Forester, now what??

[bad_bacon_6]

Inherited a 2007 Forester from my brother when he upgraded to a van. Says it never left him hanging but also says a lot of weird stuff I didn't understand... something about head gaskets?
I'm green behind the ears when it comes to Subarus but heard they're tough little rigs. Have you encountered similar issues with this model? Just trying not to blow it before I even learn how to rotate the tires.

 

[powergrid-23]

Yeah, head gasket issues can pop up on these models over time. it did for my dad's Forester.

I suggest keeping an eye on coolant levels and checking for leaks early. have you noticed any overheating or odd smells yet?

 

[Emperor Paul_]

I wonder why did Subaru stick with those problematic head gaskets for so long if they knew it was such a common failure point?

 

[bad_bacon_6]

@powergrid-23
Thanks for the heads-up. I haven't noticed any weird smells or overheating so far but I'll be watching the coolant level like a hawk now.
@Emperor Paul_
You and me both! I'm just learning about this whole situation and was wondering the same thing. It's a real puzzle to me.

 

[forestbeastmode25]

Yeah, leaks around the heads and bubbles in the overflow tank can be early warning signs. They appear before you notice more serious issues.

 

[bad_bacon_6]

Adding "bubbles in the overflow" and "leaks around the heads" to my checklist of what to watch for. So far everything under the hood has been clean and dry after more than a month of checking.

 

[Toolfriendly]

Yeah, the gaskets are a thing and even if they seem good, replace them. Get some aftermarket ones, they're usually better than what Subaru makes. It doesn't hurt to check the rest of the vehicle. Suspension, bushings, coolant, brake fluid etc etc. If you're handy with some tools and have a bit of common sense, you can probably check most of these things yourself. If you're not sure, take it to a mechanic.