alexsf

Okay people, I want how vulnerable the subaru models, particularly the outback, is to rust. I drive in northern winters with lots of salt on the road. I am taking the precaution of an annual rust treatment but want to know if there is anything to keep a particular eye on. I find that where I live, rust is the prime enemy - mechanically vehcles outlast the body almost always. cheers!

Thanks for the advice people, I am pretty impressed with this blog. Anyway, all's well that ends well - the outback is back and ticking along nicely. No appreciable change in the running coolant temp. Once they bled the air, problem resolved. Hopefully that will be it. cheers!

Thanks everyone. The shop ended up calling Subaru and found they did not bleed the air properly just like you folks have advised. The car is being returned as I write this... hopefully all is well. Could there have been engine damage and if so what should I be looking for? thx

I brought the Outback in for service at 154000km to have the timing belt changed. At the same time the hydraulic tensioner and water pump was changed out. It was running perfectly at the time. An hour after I got out of the shop the engine overheated. The shop said it was the thermostat but I am suspicious of the coincidence. Anyone have some ideas on what other causes could be? Does the thermostat have to be removed when replacing the water pump? And finally, since the car did overheat, what potential damage could have resulted? Thanks!!