terryb52

My poor 2003 Forester has been through a lot. Since I thought I was going to have to replace the engine last winter, and didn't (see other posts), I was hoping for smooth sailing. Then the coolant started leaking. Just got it back from the shop and no, it could be a hose. No, it's coming from the left side head gasket. Had a pressure test. Put in sealer an I hope to get it to spring without more problems so I can decide what to do. I only drive about 5K miles a year. It has 156K on it. If I decide to do the head gasket, what else should I go ahead and do at the same time? I bought the car in 2010 and the timing belt had been replaced and the paperwork said it would be needed again at 205K miles. I kind of hate to buy another used car because I don't want someone elses headaches, but am getting tired of the expense of my subaru habit. I've had 1 replaced engine, 2 head gasket jobs on 3 cars over the years. Time to look at Honda CRVs? I will fix this one if that is the best option (est. $1200). Thanks!

OK, it's been quite a while since all this happened, but I've only put about 3,000 miles on the car (I really don't drive a lot or very far). Nothing has happened. The oil changes have come back clean. My best guess is that washer fluid got put in the oil by mistake. I have not taken it back to either place that topped off the fluids. I have the oil changes done at another shop. Thank god I didn't need another engine. But now I have a head gasket problem. Oy.

I had no idea the traffic was that bad in Japan! I am still hopeful I will not need it.

Oil change today looks good. He said drive it 100 miles and check again. Washer fluid in the oil by mistake????? Hoping it is really something that stupid.

Getting another oil change tomorrow to see if anything contaminated the oil. Mechanic said it was 2-3 quarts overfull!!!. Drove it about 20 miles today to circulate things.

Drove it 20 miles today and the only odd thing was the smell of rotten eggs only once, when I turned around in a driveway. Inside the car. Getting another oil change tomorrow.

Talked to mechanic who did the recent oil change and he said the oil was 2-3quarts overfull!!!!!

Got it in fall of ,2010. Haven't put many miles on it as I've moved to a small town and work about 10 blocks from house. I'm the 2nd owner. Bought it with 139k. Now 153k. Not sure how I could ever prove a mechanic screwed up.

Here's the history....had an oil change done 12/12/14, 153k miles. Had work done on heater cable mechanism and he topped off fluids per mechanic, in January. Battery failed 2/6/15 and oil mess was discovered, 153,175 miles. Oil and filter was changed, oil was overfull but not sure by how much. Radiator level was not low. Only put about 6 miles on it when checked again and oil was clean. Will be putting more miles on it and checking again. Not sure how long it has to run to find out if coolant is getting into oil.

They have had mixed reviews, but not counting them out

This is my 2nd time dealing with a replacement engine. Previous was in a 98 outback that had a thrown rod. That was when I was living in Colorado and found a cheap one. Then I bought the Forester right before moving back to Illinois. I take very good care of my cars. This came as a real shock cause I've only put 30k on it in 4 years. 158k.

I moved back to Illinois from Colorado (family reasons) so maybe a trip out there is called for!

Thanks for the suggestions, I am still hoping it will turn out I don't need an engine (see other thread coolant in the oil)

Took it in to check the oil after the change but I haven't driven enough I guess. It looks good but may not have circulated it. I have been afraid to drive it. I'll take it for a few spins and check again. I can only hope against hope that somehow another fluid got in the oil by mistake and hasn't done any damage.....

Jdmtiger has horrible reviews.