So I saw this on CL

its a 1999 outback

 

Our mechanic said it needed new head gaskets it has 200k miles on it.

So we paid a small fortune to have them replaced,

Along with the timing belts and dampener pulleys.

It ran great for a month or so and died on us.

I am not a mechanic Looks like one of the pulleys came off and it spun the new timing

Belt.

 

 

So I know this is pure speculation, but what else could have gone wrong...bent valves? Is it worth repairing or just replace with ej22? He is asking 2k for it. I have a picture but can't seem to upload it.

Edited March 29, 201115 yr by cohophysh

Odds are very good of valve damage.

 

At 200k it's probably getting a little tired anyways.

 

If a pulley truely came loose I'd suggest a different independent shop.

 

If a pulley failed please post the brand and where purchased if possible.

 

Dampner pulley confuses me. There is a crank pulley/harmonic dampner pulley - it's the big one on the end of the crankshaft. That is different from the idler pulleys that are run by the timing belt.

 

We need more information.

 

If the harmonic dampener pulley came loose they don't know Subaru's - we're back to finding a member or an independent shop that knows Subaru's.

 

At this point with these issues and that many miles I'd probably suggest (at the expense of folks complaining lately) to do the 2.2 swap. Lots of information here on fixing the 2.5 or swapping in the 2.2.

Well, by the looks of the picture, which I can't get posted, it looks like one of the camshaft teethed pullies?? It looks like it is just below the top radiator hose.

A black plastic pulley?

 

Usually they break after something happens and the valves crash.

 

There is another member going through this exact some thing now.

 

Another member had this issue a few weeks ago.

here is the CL link with pix

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/2289788462.html

A few suggestions.

 

Are you nuts?

 

An 'R' title, 200k and needs an engine. For 2k?

 

Outbacks must be worth more out there but if you can't do the work yourself you're probably better off taking a pass on this one.

 

A 2.2 would be the answer rather than tryin gto figure out what is messed up with this one. And that's probably gonna run you 1k or so.

 

Now you're over 3k into an 'R' car with over 200k and you get to find out what ELSE is wrong with it. Things like torque bind, rod knock and such.

 

Folks here will do their best to help. But I'm thinking you outta pass if you can't 2.2 it yourself. And even then it's questionable.

Ya, I thought the guy was asking way to much for a salvage title and bad engine

I was more curious than anything

..and are you nuts is not a suggestion...LOL:lol::lol:

Basically you lost your initial investment.

That's a bad investment. $2k is WAY too high. More like $1k. I would buy it for 1k, do a 2.2 swap and sell it for $5k (and I would get it).

 

GD

That's a bad investment. $2k is WAY too high. More like $1k. I would buy it for 1k, do a 2.2 swap and sell it for $5k (and I would get it).

 

GD

 

180k is my cutoff that I've found. Beyond that folks around here won't pay much.

 

But I'd do the exact same thing - if it were local and under 180k.

Did the shop not offer some sort of warranty? If you changed all the parts and it broke again i would be knocking at their door.

That's a bad investment. $2k is WAY too high. More like $1k. I would buy it for 1k, do a 2.2 swap and sell it for $5k (and I would get it).

 

GD

 

It is only 2 hours away from you....

Did the shop not offer some sort of warranty? If you changed all the parts and it broke again i would be knocking at their door.

 

I have no clue, this was an ad I was looking into, it had been posted for awhile

"Rebuilt Title. I have the title.

Was a small fender bender when it was brand new"

 

Here's what I thought. I don't believe "a small fender bender" recieves a "Rebuilt Title". Isn't an R title the same as "Totaled"?.

 

"The bad.

Our mechanic said it needed new head gaskets it has 200k miles on it.

So we paid a small fortune to have them replaced,

Along with the timing belts and dampener pulleys.

It ran great for a month or so and died on us.

 

I recently relocated several hundred miles, and

I don’t have the cash to throw at it again so I am selling it."

 

I think there is a good chance he's settled with the mechanic. You don't pay "a small fortune" to a shade tree mechanic.

 

 

"Put the motor back together and drive it for another 200k.":lol:

 

Or not.

 

Doug

I must be the only one who thinks still $1,000 is still too much? I'm trying to figure out the pricing for these cars..

 

here the sweet spot seems to be around $2700 with around 165K

That is a $500 car to me. jmho.