2011 Subaru Forester Head Gasket
About this episode
A 2011 Subaru Forester with 168,000 km came in after another shop found coolant use and air bubbles in the cooling system. Pawlik Automotive verified combustion gas contamination, tracing it to a failing head gasket. The discussion walks through why this specific turbo, twin-cam Subaru is labor-intensive—engine removal is required, plus extensive exhaust, coolant, and drivetrain disconnects. With the heads off, machine shop work revealed slipping valve guides, adding cost. After multi-layer steel gasket replacement and head rebuilding, the engine ran smoothly with no coolant loss.
2011 Subaru Forester
"So today's guest is a 2011 Subaru Forester. What was going on with this vehicle?"
They’re working on a 2011 Subaru Forester. The problem they’re discussing involves the engine’s head gasket and how it affects the cooling system.
This episode focuses on a 2011 Subaru Forester and the work needed when the head gasket fails. The Forester is a popular Subaru SUV, and this case is specifically about cooling-system contamination from combustion gases.
head gasket is leaking combustion gas into the cooling system
"And that happens because the cylinder head gasket is leaking combustion gas into the cooling system. Head gaskets needed to be replaced."
The head gasket is like a seal between the engine parts. If it fails, exhaust/combustion gases can get into the coolant, which can make bubbles in the radiator/hoses and cause overheating.
A head gasket seals the engine’s cylinder block to the cylinder head. When it fails, combustion gases can escape into the cooling system, which can create air bubbles and cause overheating or coolant contamination. This is a key diagnostic clue that points to head gasket replacement rather than a simple coolant leak.
cylinder head gasket
"And that happens because the cylinder head gasket is leaking combustion gas into the cooling system."
The cylinder head gasket is the sealing layer between the engine block and cylinder head. It must withstand high combustion pressure and high coolant temperatures while preventing cross-contamination. When it fails, it can allow coolant to mix with combustion gases, leading to air bubbles and overheating.
dealership. So they're generally more expensive than we are
"This was the dealership. So they're generally more expensive than we are."
They’re talking about how dealerships usually charge more than independent repair shops. For a big repair, that price difference can add up.
This is a pricing concept: dealership labor rates are often higher than independent shops. For major jobs like head gasket replacement, labor cost differences can be significant because the work is time-intensive. The episode frames the customer’s choice as being influenced by the quote.
pull the engine out to do it
"You have to pull the engine out to do it. We do a lot of head gaskets on the single cam engines... But this you have to do out of car."
For this engine, they have to remove the engine from the car to reach the head gasket. That’s why the job takes longer and costs more.
Some head gasket jobs require removing the engine to access the cylinder head and related components. This is a major labor driver because it involves disconnecting many systems, lifting the powertrain, and then reassembling everything with correct torque and sealing practices. The transcript contrasts this with other Subaru engines where the job can be done without pulling the engine.
single cam engines
"We do a lot of head gaskets on the single cam engines, less these days... But those you don't have to pull the engine."
The speaker contrasts the turbo twin-cam setup with “single cam” engines, implying a different camshaft design and service access. In practice, different engine layouts can change whether the head gasket can be replaced in-car or requires engine removal. This is relevant for estimating labor time and cost.
engine stand
"So that's the engine sitting on an engine stand. So there's a lot that goes into just getting it to this stage."
Once the engine is taken out, they put it on a stand. That makes it easier to work on the engine parts without struggling in the car.
An engine stand is used to mount the removed engine so technicians can work on it safely and access the cylinder head area more easily. For head gasket jobs that require engine removal, the engine stand stage is part of the workflow before disassembly and reassembly. It also helps ensure components are handled correctly during the repair.
Subaru's are relatively easy engines to remove from vehicles
"Subaru's are relatively easy engines to remove from vehicles... I think actually what makes them easy is that they have one electrical connector."
The shop claims Subaru engines are relatively straightforward to remove due to packaging and connector access. This matters because the time spent removing and reinstalling the engine is a large portion of the total labor cost for head gasket repairs. Their point is that the wiring/connectors are manageable compared with some other makes/models.
electrical connector
"I think actually what makes them easy is that they have one electrical connector... And you pretty much got all the wiring of the"
Electrical connectors are the plugs that link the engine’s sensors and control systems to the vehicle harness. The speaker notes that the engine removal process is simplified because there are few connectors to disconnect. Fewer connectors can mean less time and fewer chances of misconnection during reassembly.
timing belt
"And here we have the engine out with the cylinder heads off. And the timing belt has been removed. So all the front of the engines off, the water pump, timing belt, cylinder heads are off."
The timing belt keeps the engine’s timing lined up—so the valves open at the right moment. When the front of the engine is taken apart for head work, the belt usually comes off too.
A timing belt synchronizes the crankshaft and camshaft(s) so the valves open at the correct time. When cylinder heads are removed, the timing belt is typically removed as part of getting the front of the engine apart and preventing timing errors.
cylinder heads
"And here we have the engine out with the cylinder heads off. ... But in this case, they found the valve guides had been slipping."
The cylinder heads are the top part of the engine where the valves and combustion happen. For a head gasket job, they come off so the gasket can be replaced and the sealing surfaces can be checked.
Cylinder heads sit on top of the engine block and contain the combustion chambers and valve train. For a head gasket repair, the heads must be removed, then inspected and often machined to restore a flat sealing surface.
machine shop
"We send those off to a machine shop. Turns out they actually needed a lot more work than usual. We always have them pressure tested to make sure they're not cracked."
A machine shop is a specialized shop that measures and repairs engine parts with precision tools. They check the cylinder heads and fix any damage so the new gasket will seal properly.
A machine shop performs precision work on removed engine components, such as cylinder head inspection and machining. In this case, the heads were pressure tested for cracks, but additional issues (like valve guide wear) were found that required extra machining.
pressure tested
"We always have them pressure tested to make sure they're not cracked. But in this case, they found the valve guides had been slipping."
Pressure testing is a way to check the cylinder head for hidden cracks. If the head is cracked, a new gasket won’t fix the problem long-term.
Pressure testing checks cylinder heads for internal cracks, especially around coolant passages. It’s a common step before reassembly because a cracked head can cause repeat failures even after a new gasket is installed.
valve guides
"But in this case, they found the valve guides had been slipping. I think the engine had been hot."
Valve guides help the valves move correctly inside the cylinder head. If they wear out, the engine can run poorly and the head may need extra repair work.
Valve guides are small bushings that help the engine’s valves move smoothly. If valve guides wear or “slip,” it can affect valve sealing and oil control, and it may require additional head machining beyond just replacing the head gasket.
intake manifold
"And we're looking at more stuff, that big long black plastic thing, that's the intake manifold, the valve covers sit to the right of that..."
The intake manifold is the part that routes air to the cylinders. It has to come off during major engine work so the mechanic can reach the cylinder heads.
The intake manifold distributes air (and fuel, depending on the system) to the engine’s cylinders. When the engine is disassembled for head gasket work, the intake manifold is removed to access the cylinder heads and related components.
valve covers
"...the intake manifold, the valve covers sit to the right of that, the air conditioning compressors to the left..."
Valve covers protect the top of the engine’s valve train and help contain oil. During head gasket repair, valve covers are removed so the mechanic can access components and remove the cylinder heads.
turbochargers
"...and there's turbochargers on the ground. I believe the unit above that is the air pump..."
Turbochargers are devices that use exhaust gases to spin a turbine and push extra air into the engine. If the car is turbocharged, the turbo parts have to be disconnected before the engine can come out.
Turbochargers use exhaust energy to spin a turbine that forces more air into the engine for better performance. On turbo Subaru engines, turbochargers and related ducting/cooling lines must be disconnected and removed or moved out of the way during engine removal.
air pump
"I believe the unit above that is the air pump, which is an emission pump just to reduce exhaust emissions while on a cold engine start."
The air pump is an emissions-related device that helps the car clean up exhaust during cold starts. It’s usually in the way during major engine disassembly.
An air pump (often part of an emissions system) injects air into the exhaust stream during cold starts to help reduce emissions. It’s typically removed or disconnected during engine-out work because it’s mounted on the front of the engine and tied into hoses and plumbing.
horizontally opposed engine
"It's a horizontally opposed engine on a Subaru. So there's two banks of these, and they move back and forth side to side. Most engines, they go up and down, but on Subaru, they go side to side."
This is Subaru’s boxer engine layout, where the cylinders sit on opposite sides of the engine. Instead of moving up and down like many engines, the pistons move side to side.
A horizontally opposed (boxer) engine has cylinders arranged left and right, moving in a side-to-side motion rather than up and down. Subaru is well known for this layout, and it changes packaging and how the engine is accessed during repairs.
gaskets
"So here we have, I guess, this is the whole problem. These are the gaskets. Yeah. Those are the two"
The gaskets are the sealing parts that stop leaks between the engine’s main parts. For a head gasket job, they have to be installed carefully on perfectly clean surfaces.
In a head gasket repair, the gaskets being replaced are the sealing layers between the cylinder head and the engine block. Proper gasket installation depends on clean mating surfaces and correct torque/sequence during reassembly.
engine ready to go back in the car
"it seems like we've come back to the same place, but in reality, this is the engine ready to go back in the car. That's exactly what it is. Yeah. It's all back together and ready to go back in."
They’re saying the engine work is finished and the engine is put back together. At this point it’s ready to be installed back into the vehicle.
This describes the end stage of a head gasket job: the engine is reassembled and prepared for installation. It’s a practical milestone that usually follows careful cleaning, gasket installation, and reassembly with correct torque/fitment.
valves ground
"And with the cylinder heads being rebuilt, the valves ground and everything, the engine's in good shape."
Valve grinding smooths and refits the surfaces where the valves seal. It helps the engine build proper compression again after the heads have been taken apart.
Valve grinding is the process of resurfacing the valve faces and/or valve seats to restore proper sealing. If the head gasket failed and the engine was disassembled, valve grinding helps ensure good compression and reduces the chance of future leaks.
Pawlik Automotive
"If you're looking for service for your Subaru in Vancouver, the guys to see are at Pawlik Automotive. You can reach them online at pawlikautomotive.com."
They recommend Pawlik Automotive if you need Subaru service in Vancouver. It’s the shop doing the work discussed in this episode segment.
Pawlik Automotive is the shop the hosts recommend for Subaru service in Vancouver. For listeners, this is useful as a reference point for where the described work was performed.
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