Have an 05 Subaru outback manual transmission 138K with a significant oil leak. Auto shop gave a rough estimate of $7000 to get the gaskets cam seals redone and a clutch pack while the engine is pulled. I'm thinking about getting the work done as buying another daily driver with few issues could be more expensive than the work. We're in Minnesota so the awd and wagon style fits the family.
What could be potential down the road issues with the engine if we go this route. Could we get an additional 100k out of it? The body and other components are in good shape.
Thanks!!
Brian
It is an 18 year old car. I would not put that much money into it. Put it up for sale and use the money to buy another car.
There is no way in this reality that an 18-year-old Subaru is worth putting $7000 into. It is very unlikely you would get another 100K miles out of it after those repairs.
If you are bound and determined to keep that thing going, installing a rebuilt engine would probably be less expensive than repairing your old one. However that car going another 100K miles without developing other major problems is highly doubtful. You could well wind up putting thousands of dollars into it and still have to scrap it within a few years. It's a huge gamble.
A rebuilt engine, complete, from AutoZone is $3511.99. $7K is not worth it. Get the rebuilt, labor about $1K. Old one out, new one in.
I understand your thinking. If the car is otherwise in good shape, then it is worth putting some money into, I just don't know if it is worth spending quite that much.
I think it is worth getting some more opinions. The cost of that job is almost all labor, the parts are almost nothing. That means that shops have a lot of wiggle room to negotiate. I personally have seen one Subie shop quote $7k, only to find another shop quote $4k for the same job.
Besides repair, other options include swapping a used motor and ordering a low-mile JDM engine.
And yes, if you have maintained it and get those issues rectified, you could easily get another 100K out of 'er.
