nipper

It will last just as long, as long as oil changes are performed regularly, coolant changed regularly, as well as timing belts. The 2.5 DOHC was built to the max that the engine materials (at that time) could put out. There was an excellant article quoting Subaru's President that the 2.5 was built to the very edge of all the power they could get out of that engine. This is why the 2.2 is so robust, there is plenty of room to build upon. Also remember that not all 2.5's have this issue, and quite a few are piling on the miles.

+1 HG jobs come down to two things, one is a very good replacement part, the other is surface prep (flatness and cleanlyness). Gaskets only really seal on the edges, so any high point makes a new edge and the immediatly surrounding areas has less sealing force and allows for a path.

Why in hell do you say what in hell to me, have i done something to piss you off? I can only go by the pics that are shown and to my eyes. Picture three looks like there may goo there on the link. Also looking closer man oh man what a piss poor cut job this is.

Does white castle know you have thier URL

If it was there for expansion, it posxsibly because they made those brackets out of aluminum instead of steel (I am purely guessing) by mistake. If you look closely there is RTV there (the clearish goo) and that really bothers me. For the heck of it, let SOA know via email with pics. These things are bought off of certs and don't really go through QA inhouse again with a trusted supplier. It could be that SOA is unaware of it. Also ask them why it is there and point out it is a hand cut, there is RTV there wich is suspicous, and two OE radiators came that way. They do answer emails as they apreciate the cult, i mean customers.

No hardeer then any other seatbelt that is under load. Yes they are pretensioners they take up the slack in the belts when the impact starts.

Thermal expansionmost likely, just like an expansion strip in a road. Or Its just for ease of assembly. Remeber sooby doesnt make these a supplier does. PS (update) Looking at the pictures, something aitn right. Those cuts are made by a band saw (sloppy). If they were made on purpose it would be a cleaner mfg seperation. I dont like it. I would get a radiator from an aftermarket source.

Just so sooby's arent totallypicked on, it is any true AWD vehical that has to have matching tires.

The only sure bet on that is if purchased from Subaru. Iy is a bit of a gamble from anyone else.

I dont think this is a HG issue (yet). Flush the cooling system. Check for any collapsed hoses. What brand is the T-stat. Any sign of fluid loss.

Is the T-stat from subaru? Where are the HG's from as they should have been from subaru too. Check your alt output also above 1800 rpm with everything on.

Try this: Crank the engine for a few seconds with no throttle. Gently press the gas pedal 1/3 way down and hopefully it should start. rev the engine a little for ten seconds. The engine may run a little rough once it starts. Let me know.

And sorry but if they are for headlights they will be called a headlight relay

Thats what the IAC does. Any CEL on?

Will it keep running after it has restarted?

You have the start of a bad CV joint.

Timing belt covers are not junk. They serve a purpose. They protect the belts from snow, ice, stones, road debree etc. A badly over heated engine will not melt the covers. I dont know what would but I know what wouldnt. Maybe at some time something rubbed againts them or was stuck in there.

Bubbling overflow tank means only one thing, a head gasket.

From 1997 to about 2002 every auto mfg had at least one engine with some sort of Head Gasket issue (including harley). The emissions standards changed and there was not enough time for real world testing of engines so they were forced to cross thier fingers and hope. Dodge neons had a 80 + % failure rate, subaru about 15-20% In your case I am not convinced it is a HG. Lets start off simply with a new Radiator cap. If it was a HG you would have overheated and not run hot. Also your T-stat is old and can probably use a replacement.

Well the three are relays. The cylinder is the Ignition Coil. The black box is the electronic ignition (may be called an amplifier) The white ceramic thing is a (best educated guess here) is the ballast resistor. The white tank is the windsheild washer tank. The red thing is the car, and a very clean one at that.

Ok i'm stumped from the description.

No it is one of the few things that can keep a subaru from starting. Imagine trying to start a cold engine without a choke, almost impossible to do. Now take theat very clunky fuel control system, refine it, and take away that (electronic) choke, its even worse.

No. Timing belt drives the water pump. You will be running off the battery and have no AC nor PS. Start with the AC belt first. Next do the 2nd belt on a safe stretch of road. You can drive a surprisingly long time with minimal electrical load on just the battery.

Noises are a pitch over the net. Does the noise sound independent of vehical speed or synched with road speed.

Postponed It's going to be a good ol Nor'easter with 1 -2 inches of rain 20-30mph winds and rather chilly, so there is no way to even try to make this fun. We can maybe get another in before eveyrthing freezes. The frozen clay is brutal on cars and trucks.