& I assumed it was a blown HG... took the potential purchase to a trusted diagnostician who deemed it a breach in the radiator allowing Trans fluid & coolant to mix.... recommendations:

flush the trans (a few times)

replace the radiator (????????NEW OR USED IS THE QUESTION!!!!!)

flush & flush & flush the cooling system.

this would be $200 (used radiator & flushing) vs. $3 - $400 for same with new...

'96 OBW with 150k

YOUR OPINIONS????

Later,

Peter

BTW, the hg job was quoted at $450 - $2000 (dealer, surprise surprise)

Man if you have a ruptured radiator that would be a huge blessing

 

www.radiator.com has good prices, thats where i buy them from.

 

Flush the tranny

Flush the cooling system.

New thermostate and radiator cap.

 

nipper

I appreciate that, checked the web site... odd deal with the "chat man"...

ANYONE have experience with buying wrecking yard radiators???

Later,

Peter

Be very skeptical, Peter. With the pressures that build in the cooling system I would guess you'd find plenty of coolant in the transmission fluid. I wouldn't think it would be good for the transmission.

Many trusted diagnosticians will not believe that the goop in the overflow tanks is coming from a leaky head gasket.

Maybe one of the wizards here can tell you the likelihood of a leak between the TF and the coolant and what the symptoms would be.

96 DOHC with 150k and goop in the coolant screams HGs at me.

 

Tom

i would guess head gaskets as well....i'd check into this a little more. don't want to spend money on radiator, flush and all that jazz and still have issues.

 

i've been around the old school subaru boards for about 10 years and seen plenty of dryed out, rotted, rows missing radiators that are 20 years old and i've never ever heard of one person having a situation where radiator/ATF is mixing. i highly doubt this is the case for you.

 

if you're sure it's the radiator i would get new unless you can see the used one and it looks in good shape. used radiators are fine if they are good. but there are plenty that aren't in very good shape. look for missing rows, corrossion and green crusty flakey stuff, avoid any like that.

My initial thought was "the dreaded HG syndrom" but unless the trans is going too... also, it doesn't over heat. I tried long up hill runs pushing the vehicle & the temp guage (exactly the same place as my wife's '96) doesn't move one iota.... so, I figured another car "expert" should look at it this week & see if there's a meeting of the mechanic's minds. I suppose it could be the HG AND another problem... in which case, the car is NOT mine... no worries.

 

later,

Peter

Just wondering if you've had any updates? We found the same thing in the overflow on my Forester and immediately thought the HG. Just like yours, it doesn't overheat, runs great, no antifreeze in oil, and compression is good. We were at a loss till I read this. Have you had any further information? Thanks