Hey folks, I just got a 1998 forester 2.5 4AT for free. I drove it around for about a week and heard about head gasket problems, sure enough when I looked in the coolant bottle I found this 80% Oil 20% Coolant Premix.

 

I just want a confirmation from you Subaru Professionals that this is indeed a bad head gasket/gaskets. there is no visible leak on the head-block mating surface but there is an Oil leak on the VC-Head surface.

 

This Subie has over 260k miles on it so far, what can I expect from it?

 

Thanks for the help folks.

 

 

Make sure thats oil and not ATF.  Check your transmission for coolant in it.  If this is oil, you should clean out the reservoir and see how long it takes to get oily again.  If it takes awhile and the car isn't loosing much oil, I would just drive it until it becomes a problem.

When idling after warmed up, does it blow bubbles into the reservoir?

Yes it blows bubbles after a drive. I'll drain the tranny and check for coolant, it needs it anyways.

Yes it blows bubbles after a drive. I'll drain the tranny and check for coolant, it needs it anyways.

blowing bubbles is a sure sign of head gasket problems in a 98 model. Keep an eye on your temp gauge for possible over heating. Don't continue driving on, if, when there is over heating.

 

Doubt you will find coolant in the tranny fluid. Draining ATF only drains about half the ATF in the system, the other half stays in the torque converter. It takes three drain and fills with short drives between drains to effectively remove old ATF. There is a drain bolt on bottom of the tranny to drain the ATF. Looks just like a drain plug for oil.

Make sure you check the coolant level in the radiator when cold  

Drop a used 95 2.2 with matching EGR configuration in and be done with it when it starts overheating.

Make sure you check the coolant level in the radiator when cold  

Drop a used 95 2.2 with matching EGR configuration in and be done with it when it starts overheating.

You Suggest engine replacement rather than doing the head gaskets?

With that many miles, I'd suggest a reman longblock from a company with a good reputation.  It may seem like a lot of money at first, but when you amortize this cost over the extended life of the vehicle, it results in the lowest cost per mile.  This only works if the vehicle is in really good condition to begin with.  

 

You will need to make sure the ATF is drained and refilled every 30k, small price to pay for lots of miles.  If the current ATF is not a bright red, then you will need to do the three back to back drain and fills, then just one every 30k thereafter.  At this number of miles, you may also have to replace all the struts as well.

 

Even with these additional costs, you will be money ahead in the long run.

 

But if it is running good right now, keep an eye on the coolant level and oil level, every day and save your pennies.  Check eBay for reman long blocks at least once a week.  Sometimes the reman companies will sell off old stock as the pool of eligible vehicles dwindles.  I got a reman for an old Toyota from a top reman company for $250 + shipping, less than $400 all together.

With that many miles, I'd suggest a reman longblock from a company with a good reputation.  It may seem like a lot of money at first, but when you amortize this cost over the extended life of the vehicle, it results in the lowest cost per mile.  This only works if the vehicle is in really good condition to begin with.  

 

You will need to make sure the ATF is drained and refilled every 30k, small price to pay for lots of miles.  If the current ATF is not a bright red, then you will need to do the three back to back drain and fills, then just one every 30k thereafter.  At this number of miles, you may also have to replace all the struts as well.

 

Even with these additional costs, you will be money ahead in the long run.

 

But if it is running good right now, keep an eye on the coolant level and oil level, every day and save your pennies.  Check eBay for reman long blocks at least once a week.  Sometimes the reman companies will sell off old stock as the pool of eligible vehicles dwindles.  I got a reman for an old Toyota from a top reman company for $250 + shipping, less than $400 all together.

What Reman companies do you recommend?

With that many miles the rest of the car isn't worth the money for a reman.

New head gaskets are a much cheaper option if you can do the work yourself.

But I agree with Lmdew, a 2.2 swap is easiest and cheapest for reliability.

I got that Toyota engine from ProFormance in Springfield MO.