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.

Any USA importers that anyone can recommend? I am over 100 miles away from a city. But I have a shop here that I think will do a good job. Not many subarus around here but they have worked on some.

Yes, I've been reading many horror stories here. I don't know what to even look for anymore. What's the difference between rebuilt and remanufactured or used? I can't afford another used car only to get someone else's problems when I know the history of this 2 owner car. I have also put some bucks into brakes, battery was tires recently.

I have been searching the internet for a used engine for my 2003 Forester and am terrified at the prospect. I thought I found a good deal til I decided to Google reviews. Yikes! And they use about 10 names. Now I'mparanoid. How do iI find a good company? Where do I find engines from Japan if I decide to go that route? I need help fast. No junk yards or subarus around here. Very American car country.

Any reputable places to order an engine from?

Never asked about the radiator, but the fluids were at the correct level.

You mean for a 2nd time? It was changed yesterday. I called the shop today and they said there was no separation of the oil overnight, it is still milky. I will get it checked midweek to see if it is changing again. He said it was much more than just condensation.

Yes, I had work done a few weeks ago and he topped off fluids (cert. Mechanic) and a few weeks before that I had an oil change at a shop. I would walk but it's 5 degrees out the streets are ice and I'm 62!

Do you think it's possible someone put washer fluid in by mistake? They are close together, I think. Or could it be water? It has new oil in now and I will check it in a couple days. I only drive about 1/2 mile to work, and only 3 days a week. I don't have to drive any more than that. Can you see a blown head gasket without taking things apart? Obviously I am not a mechanic!

Unfortunately I live in a part of the country where subarus are pretty rare. A junked one is impossible to find. I am going to start looking from my end. I might try to get ahold of my old mechanic in Colorado and see if he can find something. But hopefully I will only need head gaskets.

Actually the oil was overfull and the whole bucket looked like frothy cafe au lait! The mechanic said like a coffee milkshake. You couldn't see through it at all. Kind of like baby poop color yuck. I was shocked to see it. A while back I was dripping something, could have been coolant on the ground, but not a lot. I know there is a small leak in the power steering which is why I'm wondering how far to go in fixing/replacing. I'm afraid to drive far now.