Parts for your 2013 Subaru Forester-Head gasket

2013 Subaru Forester head gasket — what it does and how to look after it

Technical sources confirm that a head gasket is absolutely used on the 2013 Subaru Forester. Both engines fitted that year — the 2.5‑litre non‑turbo FB25 and the 2.5‑litre turbo EJ255 (XT) — are shown in the Subaru Workshop Manual (SH, MY13) and the Subaru FAST OEM parts catalogue with dedicated cylinder head gaskets between each aluminium head and the block. So yes, this part is relevant to every 2013 Forester.

The head gasket’s job is to keep the good stuff where it belongs. It seals combustion pressure in the cylinders while keeping engine oil and coolant in their own passages, preventing any cross‑contamination. On these boxer fours, the gasket is a multi‑layer steel (MLS) design that copes with heat cycles, pressure spikes, and the side‑to‑side orientation of the heads. A healthy gasket maintains compression for punchy performance, clean emissions, and stable running temps under the bonnet.

There’s no scheduled “replace by” interval — head gaskets are a replace‑on‑condition item. Preventative care is all about keeping the cooling and lubrication systems in top nick. Use the correct Subaru long‑life coolant (the blue stuff), stick to the service schedule in the owner’s manual, and never mix coolant types. Regular oil changes with the specified grade help reduce deposits and hot spots that can stress the gasket coating.

• Watch for early warning signs: unexplained coolant loss, sweet odour or steam from the exhaust once warm, bubbles in the overflow bottle, rising temps on long climbs, milky oil on the dipstick, or a rough cold start misfire.
• If symptoms show up, a cooling‑system chemical test for combustion gases, plus compression and leak‑down tests, will quickly tell the story.

When replacement is on the cards, most technicians prefer an engine‑out job on these boxers for access and quality control. Best practice is to check head flatness, clean mating surfaces to the correct finish, and fit quality MLS gaskets. Many shops also replace head bolts, the thermostat, water pump, timing components, cam seals and the radiator cap while they’re there — it saves labour later. Correct torque‑angle sequences from the Subaru WSM are vital, shortcuts here can undo an otherwise tidy repair.

Treated well — correct coolant, no overheating, and sensible servicing — a 2013 Forester’s head gaskets can rack up a lot of kilometres without drama, especially on the later FB25 which improved on the older EJ designs.

Do 2013 Foresters still have head gasket problems?

They can, but it’s far less common than on earlier EJ25s from the late ’90s to mid‑2000s. The 2013 FB25 uses an updated MLS gasket and revised cooling/oiling that generally holds up well. The turbo EJ255 in the XT can be more sensitive to heat and tuning, keeping the cooling system healthy and avoiding sustained overheating is key.

What are the classic symptoms of a failing head gasket on a 2013 Forester?

Look for persistent coolant loss with no external leak, bubbles in the overflow, unexplained overheating, a sweet exhaust smell after warm‑up, white steam, or a rough cold start. Oil that looks milky or frothy is another red flag. Testing for combustion gases in the coolant is the quickest confirmation.

Is engine removal necessary for head gasket replacement?

Not strictly, but most experienced Subaru technicians in AU/NZ prefer pulling the engine. It speeds the job, improves access for accurate cleaning and torque‑angle procedures, and makes it easier to replace related parts like the water pump, timing kit, and seals for a longer‑lasting result.