bouglas

CCR? I dunno CCR. Subaru gave me a 2 yr unlimited miles warranty. Not unhappy. -doug $4100? For that much, you can buy a CCR rebuilt engine and have it installed. 3 year warranty to boot.

Same symptoms recently with my 98 Forester, 120k. Did the whole minor repair route... Coolant level, Tstat, then had'em test for CO in the coolant>>negative, did a radiator hole repair (replacement$$$), while in there did the timing belt & waterpump. Fine for 2 days, then again no heat. Finally took it to Subaru dealer, who did a true diagnostic, HG was fine, had a crack in the block, and a lot of bearing rattle way down deep. Still don't know what caused it all, where that crack originated, (first year they made the Forester?) but it was ultimately a full block replacement. I'm not unhappy... the car cost me $8000 2 years ago, I've put 50k on it, and now I have a great new $4000 engine, it should carry me for another 120k or more. It was just lousy timing on when I had to spend that $4k. Hope your solution is less costly. -doug

It was a cracked block. Head gasket's fine. $4100. My own head's gasket not so fine... but I'll live. Thanks for the replies. -doug

>Smart move to fix it now. Don't wait for it to warp the heads or crack the block. I'm getting ready for that move... not quite there financially, but heck, who prepares for something like this! What's a general estimate for HG repair? Just a guess. Thanks. -doug

>The next time this happens, pull over, get out and look at the coolant expansion bottle. Any bubbles? Any sludge forming? Symptoms are classic of 2.5L Phase I headgasket failure. I don't think I'll have a chance... it's getting towed 45 miles tomorrow to a Subaru dealer, for diagnosis. (pressure test, CO test) As far as I know though, yes, there's plenty of bubbly in the coolant.. not sure about it in the expansion tank. I do know there's NO oil slick in there. I'm guessing you're right about the HG. Not sure the best course to take if this is indicated (but not proven)... simply a new HG? or get a new engine, thinking it might be a cracked block? This engine has 120k on it, no problems minor or major before this. -doug

'98 Forester. It all started with normal engine operating range, but no heat. Many replacements already made (some I bet didn't need it). It's not the: - Heater core (routed around it to prove it wasn't suspect) - Radiator (NEW one... though I'm sure the old one was fine) - Head gasket (tests negative for CO in the coolant) - Hoses (manual testing only, but they all feel strong) - Water pump (brand new (at least it didn't cost $340 like the radiator) - Thermostat (Subaru brand w/bypass hole) Sill erratic heat production. Warms up normally, provides good heat, then bang, heat is gone. It will go for perhaps 20 miles without a problem, then all of a sudden it pegs red on the temp gauge. Any ideas? -doug