Head Gasket Replacement
in Hood River, Oregon
Subaru EJ25 head gaskets, Ford 6.0 Powerstroke head gaskets, V6, V8 — we've done thousands. Done right the first time, at a fair price.
Why Choose Ortigoza for Head Gasket Work
The head gasket job is one of the most demanding repairs on any modern engine. The wrong shop will cost you the engine. The right shop fixes it correctly, with quality parts, in a way that lasts another 150,000 miles.
At Ortigoza Auto Repair, head gaskets are one of our most common repairs. Humberto and his sons have done countless Subaru EJ25 jobs, Ford 6.0L Powerstroke head gaskets, GM LS-series jobs, and the rest. We know exactly what to look for, what additional parts to replace while we're in there, and how to do the job in a way that doesn't come back.
Signs of a Blown Head Gasket
If you're seeing any of these symptoms, call us immediately at (541) 386-0944:
- White smoke from the exhaust — burning coolant in the cylinders
- Milky/foamy oil — coolant getting into the oil galley (visible on the dipstick or oil cap)
- Bubbling in the coolant reservoir — combustion gases pushing into the cooling system
- Overheating, especially under load — coolant escaping or air pocket forming
- Coolant disappearing with no visible leak — being burned in the cylinders
- Rough idle or misfire — coolant entering a cylinder
- Sweet smell from engine bay — coolant boiling externally
- External coolant weeping — visible from the side of the block (very common on Subaru EJ25)
Don't keep driving with a blown head gasket. Continued operation can warp the heads, crack the block, and turn a $3,000 repair into a $10,000 engine swap.
Subaru Head Gasket Replacement
Subaru's 2.5L EJ25 engine — found in 1999-2011 Outback, Forester, Impreza, Legacy, and Baja models — is famous for head gasket failure. We've done this job hundreds of times. Our process:
- Both head gaskets replaced as a pair (both sides fail together)
- Heads pulled and inspected — checked for warpage, cracks, valve issues
- Heads resurfaced if needed for a proper sealing surface
- OEM-spec multi-layer steel (MLS) head gaskets — not cheap composite
- Timing belt, tensioner, idlers, water pump replaced while we're in there (saves you 8 hours of labor down the road)
- Valve cover gaskets, cam seals, oil separator replaced
- Cooling system flushed and refilled with the correct Subaru coolant
- Block tested for cracks with combustion gas test before reassembly
Typical cost: $2,000–3,500 depending on which timing components and additional parts are needed. Significantly less than the dealer.
Ford 6.0L Powerstroke Head Gasket Repair
The 6.0L Powerstroke (2003-2007 F-250/F-350/Excursion) head gasket job is its own legend. The factory Torque-To-Yield (TTY) head bolts stretch and fail. We do this job the right way:
- ARP head studs instead of the failure-prone TTY bolts — these are the actual fix
- Both heads pulled, inspected, and resurfaced
- EGR cooler replaced (or deleted with proper kit) — these clog and contribute to overheating
- Oil cooler replaced — the OEM cooler is restrictive and contributes to overheating that blew the gasket in the first place
- Coolant filter installed if the truck doesn't have one
- All injector cups inspected and replaced if needed
- Updated stand pipes and dummy plugs to fix the high-pressure oil system
Typical cost: $4,500–7,000 depending on additional work needed. Done right, this is a one-time fix.
Other Head Gasket Jobs
We also do head gaskets on:
- Toyota — 3.0 V6 (3VZ-FE) and others
- Honda — J-series V6
- Chevy/GMC — LS V8, 4.3 V6, 5.3 V8 (sometimes pulled into AFM lifter jobs)
- Ram Hemi — 5.7 and 6.4
- Older inline-six engines — 4.0L Jeep, 4.2L GM, 300 Ford
- Diesel work — Cummins ISB, Duramax (less common but we've done them)
How Long Does It Take?
- Subaru EJ25: 2-4 business days
- Ford 6.0 Powerstroke: 4-6 business days (cab-off job)
- GM LS V8: 2-3 business days
- Most other engines: 2-4 business days
Get a Quote Today
Worried about a head gasket? Call us at (541) 386-0944 and we can talk through symptoms, schedule a diagnosis, and give you a real quote. No pressure, no upsells. If it's not the head gasket, we'll tell you that too.
Head Gasket FAQ
How much does head gasket replacement cost in Hood River?
For most Subaru EJ25 engines we're typically in the $2,000–3,500 range — significantly less than the dealer. Ford 6.0L Powerstroke head gaskets typically run $4,500–7,000 depending on what additional work is needed. Call (541) 386-0944 for an exact estimate based on your vehicle.
What are the symptoms of a blown head gasket?
Common symptoms: white smoke from the exhaust, milky oil (coolant in oil), bubbling in the coolant reservoir, overheating, loss of coolant with no visible leak, rough idle, and a sweet smell from the engine bay. If you're seeing any of these, stop driving and call us.
Can I keep driving with a blown head gasket?
No. Continued driving can warp the heads, crack the block, and turn a $3,000 repair into a $10,000 engine swap. Stop driving and have it towed to the shop.
How long does head gasket replacement take?
Subaru EJ25: 2-4 days. Ford 6.0 Powerstroke: 4-6 days (cab-off job). Most other engines: 2-4 days. We'll give you an exact timeline when you bring the vehicle in.
Do you do timing belt and water pump while you're in there?
Yes — and we strongly recommend it. The timing components and water pump are right there with the head gasket job, so doing them together saves significant labor cost and prevents another expensive job in 30,000 miles.
How long will a properly-done head gasket job last?
With OEM or upgraded gaskets, properly resurfaced heads, ARP studs (where applicable), and quality timing/cooling components — your engine should go another 150,000–200,000 miles before any major work.
Worried About Your Head Gasket?
Call us today and we'll diagnose it properly — no guessing, no upsells.
Call (541) 386-0944