1993 Other Subaru Models 4 cyl All Wheel Drive Automatic
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Hi,

I have a 1993 Subaru Liberty Wagon. It had a minor service two weeks ago anf a new battery installed. The mechanic said that the engine is making a noise and he thinks it is the water pump. Before the serice I had not noticed any noise. The next time I drov ethe car, two days later the temperature gauge was going up. It hadn't done this since 12 months earlier when the head haskets were done. Pulled over to top up the water. Despite having drivn for 30min the radiator was not hot to touch and only took a little bit of water. Let car sit for a while then proceeded 20 mins to destination. Temperature gauge went right up. When at destination called a mobile mechanic to come out to put in a new water pump. When the got there he said that he thought there was something wrong with one of te cylinders and may have to check the head gaskets. I said they had been done 12 months ago and I had been told two days ago that water pump might need replacing. To cut a long story shor he said it didn't look like they had done the head properly the last time, that the timing belt wasn't on properly. He said worst case scenario $AU1800. Later in the week he called to say not as bad as he thought and will have a quote ready in few days. A few days later he called and said he can do a half arsed job like the last one to get it back on the road but will probably need work done a few months down the track for $AU1400 or he could do it properly for $AU3400. Questions: 1. What should a head gasked job on a car like this cost? 2. Is there anything I can do, say or ask to find out if the car really needs this work done? ANy other advice would be appreciated. Car has lots of KMs and has had regular services since I bought it for $AU6000 three years ago.

Hi there,

it is hard to quote on repairers until the heads are removed but the first quote is very high. I could not imagine spending that sort of money on heads that were off not all that long ago. Subaru do use steel head gaskets and the mating surfaces MUST Be spotless or problems like this can occur. There are dedicated tests to astatine if a head gasket is the problem, you dont just rip it off and hope for the best... I would ask for a head check and get the system pressure tested. check the thermostat and have the radiator flow tested. before even thinking of pulling the heads.

Mark (mhpautos) Australia.