ThosL

I'd try to get it properly diagnosed. After using a bunch of head gasket repair in a bottle products, I flushed out the coolant system with white wine vinegar, got a gallon at the market for a few bucks and then flushed it with water after running it for a while.

I did find them kicking on finally. So they are working. The last owner gave me a set of old ones, I don't know why.

Excellent points; a clogged radiator as well as other cooling dysfunctions can cause the problem as can the head gasket. Mechanics are quick to jump to the blown head gasket diagnostic as the percentage of them going is very high. Good luck and read the many threads on overheating.

On a recently purchased 97 Outback, the fans are not kicking on. How important is for them to run?

I had one of these; actually a local Advance Auto had their ability to do check engine scans pulled after they were resetting the computer for customers; but the Auto Zone is still doing it. Info I got was that the guaranteed to pass product will help clean it out or Sea Foam; but like others said here a real diagnostic is indicated first; unfortunately I am loath to pay $100 for one of those around here so will try to apply what is said here.

I picked up a MAF unit on ebay new for $50--fixed the main problem on my sister's car.

Heck, if I had any competence in mechanics, I would fix it up and sell it. I'm around Norwalk a friend in Old Lyme would let me work on it there, but I am not qualified, I would have a basketcase. Maybe a film company could use it in a scene where it gets to be part of a demolition mayhem scene, or drive it over a cliff; I'm not sure if they use Subarus for that though.

Is this unique to the 4 wheel drive Subarus, or does every other one have the same issue? And does that fuse in the front to turn the vehicle into a 2 wheel drive car ever work for that?

Actually it has EJ22 engine, hard to know if head gaskets would make it whole, but probably would be good for 50K plus more. It is driveable for 20 plus miles or so, slow leak. I listed it at $595 OBO.

Thanks for the advice; many people get discouraged by dire diagnostics from repair shops, that it will cost so much it is not worth fixing, etc.. I was offered $300 the other day by a guy who stopped by with his hispanic mechanic. Junkyards are offering $100 for metal value generally.

How do others figure what to list their cars at on Craigslist or other online site? My 99 Outback with the blown head gaskets probably is not worth that much though most of the vehicle is sound even with 300K miles on it. I figure a mechanic spending 12 or so hours on it with the new head gaskets and a few other used parts could have a $2K vehicle or so. How do people here price problem vehicles?

Thanks for the observations on this; good mechanics can spot these things like others can't unless they know what to look for. With my third owner car (I think), I'm pretty sure maintenance was done on schedule. First owner was a university teacher, second one a hospital worker/family man.

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/02/23/subaru-surges-jeep-stumbles-in-annual-auto-report.html

I was wondering if there is any way to know what has been done based on "detective" work with no old invoices? You buy a car with two prior owners and the last one kept none of the prior owner's paperwork. He had the vehicle for 30K miles and did not apparently do any major work.

That's a far-fetched load of fear-mongering. "The perfect is the enemy of the good". Why not recommend periodically checking to make sure all 4 tires of the same type and manufacture are within 1/4" of one another? All those ideal recommendations are for wealthy people who can afford perfection. I can't, and unless you are going to pay me to get everything perfect, you are wasting my time.

I went to another place that had Kumho tires @$191 including everything for two. No Walmarts around here that do tires. And only Town Fair does free front end alignments, other places are at $80 or so for either front or four wheel. So even if you can get tires installed @ $120-140 for two including everything, you still have alignment putting it over $200.

I asked about the best tire options on a 4 wheel drive Subaru and was checking to see how others have made out with the major suppliers, Goodyear, Town Fair, Mavis, Walmart, Sears as well as online order companies like Tire Rack. I checked with Town Fare and they offered free front wheel alignment if I bought two tires, 205 70 R15, $220 for everything including balancing the other two tires. They have 50K life, with 30 free satisfaction and 90 road hazard replacement, etc..

I would ask around at the local auto parts places, not sure what you have there; Napa, Auto Zone, Advance, as well as area junk yards. They know who is busy, good, as well as those who are expensive or shoddy. Also no harm in getting written estimates as well as specifics on how thorough they will be with the job.

Lucas Transmission restore product is highly regarded as is Sea Foam and Restore for the oil. Generally I try to follow the principle that if it is not broken don't fix it.

I had one of the Subarus, I forget which years with the four wheel drive option build into two wheel drive vehicles; also a low and high gear lever. I prefer manual to automatic.

OK, so I will keep it in there in the interim, a rear differential fix is expensive.

The engine on the 97 Outback is running cool, what an improvement over the last one.

Since Town Fair was closed today, though yesterday estimated it at roughly $100 per tire out the door, front end alignment free, that may be the best bet as I may need only two tires. Tire tread is 5/32, 5/32, 8/32 and 11/32. Four different tires. I need at least a front end alignment. I went to Good Year today and they wanted a lot more and no real discount on alignment. If I buy online tires I still have to worry about the other things.

Does having the fuse in the fwd slot help with mismatched tires while an owner is working on remedying the situation? Thanks!

Wires are a common cause of a crappy idle, etc.. Under $40 or so, even OEM.