tbolt1003

The heater core in my '95 Impreza wagon went south. I've researched the repair and know what's involved. Basically the car was built around the core. While I'm not deterred from fixing it myself, I really don't have the time right now to dedicate to it, with the job and family demanding so much of my time. What is a fair price to pay to have a shop or dealer do the complete job? I'm sure it's more than the car is worth, but with only 100,000 miles, she runs and rides like a dream and I want to hold onto the car. Thoughts? Thanks!

I went with an EMPI shaft from RockAuto for our one Forester (3) years ago and it's still going strong.

Fluid level ok?

I vouch for Craigslist, too. I picked up a tire/wheel set for $40. Guy just wanted to get rid of the set. He had them lying in his garage but didn't have the Impreza anymore. Deals are out there.

I guess you're not looking for an actual dealership, correct? I recently had the head gaskets done on our '99 Forester by a friend of the family who has lots of experience with Subaru's. I can ask him if he's interested. Only thing is he lives in Norwood.

I agree with Fairtax. I use RockAuto exclusively and can't be happier with their service, fast shipping and cost. Just did a muffler on a 2001 Forester. It was a Walker muffler and once the old one was out, the new one went right in. Car is so quiet at idle I had trouble telling if it was running.

While I'm not one to shy away from a challenge, my Impreza is my daily driver so would have to tackle this on a weekend and hope I can have it back together by Sunday night.

I started seeing antifreeze on my passenger side floor mat. I'm not sure I'll have a lot of time to do this job. What is going rate these days to replace a heater core at a dealer or private shop? Not saying I'm not up to the challenge, as I've done timing belt, cam and crank seals, HLA replacements...just a lot of work for the heater core and really don't have the time to commit to it.

Sorry, 1995 Impreza wagon, 2.2 auto, 128,000 miles

This past weekend, my Impreza was working great, no issues. When i was leaving for work today, my windshield was fogged up, so I turned on the defroster. The fogginess started to disappear, but then my entire windshield fogged up, as did my side windows. I stopped to wipe everything manually and continued on my way. A few miles later, the windshield started to fog up again, so I tried the defroster and it worked pretty well this time, although I could smell that sweet antifreeze odor. When I switched the selector to vent, I was met with a blast of mist/steam from all (4) dash vents. I shut the HVAC down and rolled my windows down, all while still witnessing residual steam/mist from the vents. The engine temp gauge remained fine, no overheating. Engine runs fine. A/C blows super cold, as it always has. When I switch to heat, I get a nice blast of heat from the vents. No coolant on the carpet inside the car or drips anywhere. Does this sound like my heater core failed? Coming home, I had the air on and could get a very faint antifreeze scent, but nothing huge. I've seen what's involved replacing the heater core and not looking forward to doing it if I have to. Thoughts? Thanks.

I had a front hub bearing go on my '95 Impreza recently. Due to the play in the assembly, had I not had it fixed when I did, I probably would have ended up doing an axle shaft, as well, because the hub would have gouged the shaft from wobbling around. I'd be concerned you haven't done that to your axle shaft, too. Get it fixed soon, I'd suggest.

Also, we are now getting another code for a Misfire on Cylinder 4. I had just replaced the plugs and wires with NGK's a mere month before the head gaskets blew. Good chance the plugs are needing replaced, as well, due to the coolant in the combustion chamber?

Thanks for the replies. The sensor looks to be the original one. I see what you mean, Fairtax, about the different style connectors and making sure I get the right one. Denso has the sensor with the correct plug, so I'm going to go with that one. A little less expensive than an OE sensor, too.

Thanks for the response, Fairtax. Knew you'd be one of the ones to respond. All the electrical connections look good, so going with it being a bad sensor. The engine is idling rough at a stop and in gear now. I've read negative comments about going with an aftermarket sensor and many suggest getting an OEM unit right from the dealership. Any truth to this? If not, any particular brand I should consider and/or stay away from? Thanks!

I've searched through the forums here and think I have a general idea of where to look. We just had the head gaskets replaced on our 1999 Forester with 125,000 miles. Car was going through coolant and oil at a rediculous pace. Prior to the repair, there were no trouble codes. We got the car back this past Thursday and it runs great. Last night, however, the CEL light came on and when I scanned it, I got P0133, O2 sensor circuit, Slow Response Bank 1, Sensor 1. The car is now idling rough but didn't prior to the code appearing. I've found out this O2 sensor is on the right side of the car prior to the cat. Could the excessive coolant and oil usage caused the sensor to act up and cause this code to appear? I haven't had a chance to check the wiring or the connector yet, perhaps the shop forgot to plug the sensor back in. I can't hear any exhaust leaks. Am I on the right track here? Anything else I should look for/at? Thanks!

Thanks for the responses. I'll be getting a set of the STi gaskets for her car. She's in college and I cant afford for this to happen again down the road.

Interesting info about the Fel-Pro. I went with them due to them being ranked top 3 brands for the job. Friend hasn't started the job yet, so will ask him for his opinion, as well. He actually suggested I don't get the Subaru gaskets because they're the reason he's tearing the engine apart to begin with.

I'm having the head gaskets replaced on my daughter's Forester. Friend of the family is a retired Subaru mechanic and has offered to do the job if I supply the parts. Doing entire timing belt, crank seals, cam seals...everything. When I went to the parts store, they asked me if it was an interference engine or not. I felt they should have that in their computer and would know. I went to the Subaru dealer for the parts, minus the head gaskets themselfes. Went with the highly recommended Fel-Pro units. Thanks for the replies.

I just need to confirm that the 2.5 in a 1999 Forester is an interference engine, correct? Trying to order some parts and I'm being asked if it's interference or not. Thanks!

My 95 Impreza wagon came stock with 195/60/15 but am running 205/60/15 right now...they were a tire/steel wheel combo I bought for a mere $40. My speedometer is definitely off by about 3mph when comparing it to my GPS. There's a lot of options in the 205/60/15 size. When these wear out soon, I'm replacing with the 195. If you can monitor your speed and adjust as needed, I see no reason to not go with the 195/60. Otherwise, I'd try to find something in the 205/60/15.

Although not the same car or tire size, as an example on the speedometer being off a little. My 95 Impreza came stock with 195/60/15. I didn't want to keep swapping snow tires with the summer tires all the time, so I set out to find another set of 15" steelies to mount the summer tires on. I found a guy who had a set of 205/60/15 mounted on a set of steelies for $40. Needless to say I jumped at the deal. I put the "new" set on and first road trip I took, going by GPS, my speedometer was off by approximately 3mph to the real speed...I was going faster than my speedometer read.

Will do. Thanks for the info!!

Thanks, Bratman and Gary. The 415PT's are the other model listed in our books. Kinda confusing because both the 167 and the 415 show for model year 1999. Thank you for clearing up the confusion. Now I can finally get her car fixed.

I'm trying to order the correct head gaskets for the car, but not sure which ones I need. I can get the Fel-Pro set through work, but they list many for the 2.5, some of which seem to overlap in years. I think I need the 26167PT, PermaTorque MLS with LaserWeld. Can anyone confirm this for me, please? Thanks!!

Thanks. Yeah, I've heard the 2.2s are bulletproof. Looking forward to hitting the 200k mark. As for the head gaskets for my daughter's Forester. I'm sure the Subaru dealership will know which part number I need. Is there only one part number for the Six Star and Fel-Pro gaskets? I'm buying the gaskets for the job and giving them to the shop.