teknikallysekure Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Millions of posts on blown headgaskets, I've searched through them and now I'm asking for your personal opinions. Bought a 97 Outback 2.5l from a dealer with 110k on it. The Heater wasn't working. They promised to fix. I did a lot of homework that night(yeah should've done beforehand) and realized that this wasn't just a blocked heater core but quite possible something much more ominous. Basically here's what's gone on. They replaced 2 thermostats, the Radiator, and the water pump. I've had the car a month, driven for maybe 4 days because I've been pushing them to fix it(LEMON LAW). I took it out for a decent drive, and basically after about 13 miles or so started overheating like clockwork. The temp gauge will continue to go nuts unless the car stays off for approximately 1/2 hour to an hour. My mind says(and when I call the dealer screaming my mouth) that this is Internal head gasket failure and that they need to replace the headgaskets and make sure that I don't need any resurfacing or I'm getting my money back because I have that legal right. Problem is, I want the car! It's awesome, and I know if this headgasket problem is fixed(if it's that) then it'll go forever and a half and I won't have to worry about it. Does this sound like the headgasket failure is what this is? I've had the radiator flushed quite a few times(due to the replacements) and there is an oily substance in the liquid but I'm guessing that's stopgap that they put in there or something it's not black. I don't notice any certain amount of smoke or anything coming from the exhaust, moisture but mostly in the morning. They did a Hydrocarbon test, and a compression check and both showed up fine... That's my concern. If there was an internally leaking headgasket, the Hydrocarbon test would definitely show fail right? I've seen user's on Skip's Soobie Head Gasket board complain they were told their Hydrocarbon test passed and they had failures despite that. I just want your opinions please. ROCK On, thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a97obw Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Sounds like the head gaskets to me. Yesterday I finally finished replacing the head gaskets and a lot of other things while I had the engine out. It's a 97 Legacy Outback wagon 5 speed with 91k. I had all the symptoms you are explaining. I can only guess mine has been a problem for a LONG time. Before the repairs the car would sound like it was going to explode at 70-75 MPH. There was a LOT of noise in the cabin. I passed it off thinking it was either the hood scoop or the roof rack and the fact that the engine is turning about 3200 RPM at this speed. Nada, nope, gone! I've got a totally different car now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teknikallysekure Posted February 16, 2006 Author Share Posted February 16, 2006 So in your opinion it wasn't worth having it fixed, in my case if I can get it fixed for free(assuming they agree to resurface the heads if needed) would you say it's worth keeping the car or am I just going to run into this later with the 4 layer gasket? I'm almost thinking of telling them to shove it and getting an Audi A4, but I like the Legacy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a97obw Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 No, you misunderstood... I've got a totally different car now, and it is the same one I fixed! Was it worth it? Well, about $900 in parts alone to do the head gaskets, water pump, clutch, timing belt, a cogged idler, all the other gaskets, rear main oil seal.....add another $55 for the heads to be resurfaced, $70 to have the radiator completely dismantled, cleaned etc., stock at O'Reillys' auto parts has gone way up since I kept them in business buying carb/choke spray cleaner.....yeah, it took 3 weeks to do it from start to finish, but I took my time and did an immaculate job. It should be good to go for another 150k miles. Basically, without fixing it, the car was worth very little---especially in the South! So instead of new car payments, full coverage insurance for the next 4-6 years I think it was a CHEAP fix in the long run! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teknikallysekure Posted February 16, 2006 Author Share Posted February 16, 2006 Ohhhhhh ok ok... yeah my bad taking you a little to literally. I think you're right. Partially I'm afraid that this 3rd party auto mech is not going to really care much and simply flap on some new HG's, I wish I could have the certainty of being there while they work. You're right though, if I do get the 4 layer gaskets and the heads don't need to be resurfaced or actually are, figure I'll try and see if while they're in they can't do the valve adjustment for me, it'll probably be a reliable car for years and years to come. I'm just hesitant I guess, bad experience buying a car, but I suppose if they fix it I'll be fine anyway. Thanks for your opinion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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