So i just got my subaru... not even a week later it overheated and now needs a new radiator and a new head gasket at the very least.

Don't know a lot about the technical side of things, but can anyone recommend a subaru specialist mechanic who could fix it? i understand the job cost quite a bit because the engine has to be taken out to get to the gaskets... correct?

My mechanic has unfortunetly gone away on holiday for 5weeks and i dont particularly fancy waiting that long.

Any advice would be great!
Cheers.

Any of the workshops in the sticky will be good.

http://www.perth-wrx.com/vb/mechanicals/6775-perth-workshops.html

Personally I use Doug and Damien at STechnic for mechanical works.

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[COLOR="Gray"]550Nm off a 2L... Just wish it was in the dak dak...[/COLOR]

STechnic. 9493 5559.

That is all.

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[COLOR=RoyalBlue][B][I]Titanium Reinforced[/I][/B]
MY00 Impreza WRX | MY11 Liberty GT Premium[/COLOR]

Firstly, what is the car? Year, model etc.
It's quite common for the radiator to have a vertical split on the driver's side tank just in front of where the radiator hose connects. They form slowly, over years. It's often one thing that a little prevention can save you lots of expense.
Secondly, Unless you really cooked it to the point that it just about stopped, you may not have blown the headgasket. I'd recomend not jumping to that conclusion until you have rectified the radiator leak and got all the air out. WRX's are notorious for air in the cooling system causing false headgasket diagnosis to those not familiar with them.

its a MY03 wrx impreza, year 2003.
i have had my subaru specialist test it and he says at least one head gasket is gone. although i am certainly hoping its a false diagnosis. The engine did not cease at any point, it still turns on and drives just need to keep filling up the water. and there is oil in the water.

nice work, i'd recommend replacing the long motor. see the forsale section for a dude selling his 04 motor.

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Long live the WRC

hmm... if i can avoid it i dont want to replace the engine

you know best!

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Long live the WRC

you should never attempt to start or drive it if it overheats
its a recipe for disaster and from what you've described here, i think damage has already been done

we turned it back on after it had cooled down