raindawg Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 I bought this 1997 Outback DOHC with 198,000 miles about a year ago. Just after purchasing the car I took the car for a road trip from Seattle to Santa Barbara while towing a 400lb trailer. About two hours from SB my car started to overheat. This was strange because I had recently had the radiator replaced. When I opened the hood the pressure cap on the radiator had fluid on it and the overflow reservoir for the coolant was overfull. After the car cooled, I took the cap off and started the engine while filling the radiator from the top. I nursed the car to my final destination. On the way home from this same drive I had another overheating when I pulled off the freeway and went to the gas station. I let the car sit and then the next day took it to a jiffy lube to have the cooling system purged and filled, eliminating any air pockets. I was able to make it the rest of my trip without any hitches but I still had suspicions. Since this trip the car overheated twice and then finally when I checked the car after another overheat I found oil in the coolant reservoir. Since then I have pulled the engine and got the heads off. I am not a trained mechanic and wanted to hear another persons opinion about my cylinder walls and heads. I want to know if it is worth installing new head gaskets on this motor or if I should search for a new block and machine the heads. Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 coin toss but - I'd be tempted to find an engine from a wreck (might have half the miles and no overheat events, still would need gaskets and TB though) to rebuild - or drop a 2.2 in the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 The DOHC blocks are not known to tolerate overheating. The bearings are small, and overheating thins the oil enough to cause damage to the bearings. You might put gaskets on it and get a year out of it. You might only get a few days before a rod pops out through the side of the block. Those head gaskets in your pics look like cheapos. Anytime I see that ring of weird not-rubber sealant going around the edge of the gasket I steer away. IMO That stuff prevents full seating of the fire ring around the cylinder and will lead to internal leaks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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