1998 Subaru Outback life span of gaskets (valve cover, timin

DOUG JOHNSON

MEMBER
1998 SUBARU OUTBACK
4 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
213,000 MILES

A little over two years ago my car needed a blown head gasket replaced. The heads were removed and fixed and new valve cover gaskets were used. At the same time the timing belt and the gaskets there were replaced. They, along with the oil pan, are now leaking. The same mechanic who did the work two years ago said they all needed to be replaced.
valve cover 253
Oil pan 280
front seals w/ timing belt 401

Should the gaskets all need to be replaced after two years when the originals lasted for 8 years? Is there that much vairability in gasket quality to cause this problem? What shuld I do; how should I proceed with this guy?

1 Reply

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

Well it is hard to say there is a lot of variables to consider. What gaskets were used where they checked in about 500 miles and retightened? What style of gaskets were used ie rubber or cork? How were they installed? Rubber should be installed clean with no silicone just high tack if cork they are better soaked with oil and installed. I would think that a good quality gasket like felpro installed right should give many yrs of service. So inform yourself with asking questions without insult and then get back to me and go from there.