They cheaped out on the head gaskets themselves in the ej25 series engines (naturally aspirated). If the gaskets are replaced with the MLS (multi-level steel) ones that came stock in the turbo models, they’ll probably last longer than the rest of the car. At some point Subaru got wise and started putting MLS gaskets in all of their engines, so it’s not really a problem anymore.
As for head gaskets going on turbo subarus, I’d put that squarely on wrx’s and sti’s being some of the most abused vehicles out there.
I wonder how many of the head gasket complaints were from yobbos who kept the boost super high
Happened to my old 98 forrester and that thing didn’t have a turbo at all, so no idea really.
They cheaped out on the head gaskets themselves in the ej25 series engines (naturally aspirated). If the gaskets are replaced with the MLS (multi-level steel) ones that came stock in the turbo models, they’ll probably last longer than the rest of the car. At some point Subaru got wise and started putting MLS gaskets in all of their engines, so it’s not really a problem anymore. As for head gaskets going on turbo subarus, I’d put that squarely on wrx’s and sti’s being some of the most abused vehicles out there.