I have a '97 Outback 2.5. It started overheating and was leaking, so I had a mechanic friend replace the water pump. It still overheated, so he said that the radiator was probably clogged and he took the thermostat out until I could get the radiator fixed. That worked for awhile, but it overheated last week. Now he says I need a new radiator.

I am in a bind because I can't afford to take my car to the shop right now. My friend feels that it is the radiator and not a head gasket. Here's what I know:

-The car will drive, but it overheats quickly

-there is no coolant in the oil

-there is no water on the bottom

-no smell in the water

-no steam

-no external leakage

-cylinders all fire

If anyone has any advice or ideas I would really appreciate it.

Remember cooling systems work because they are under pressure. A leak of any kind (head gasket) will cause a loss of pressure and cooling capacity.

 

Its a head gasket and if you continue to drive it you will warp the block so consider parking it until you can afford to fix it properly. I assume you have around 120K miles on the car which would also point to HG. These radiators are really good on these cars, last longer than the head gaskets by ALOT.

I also agree with ShawnW on this. Best way to tell if it is getting hydrocarbons (not always oil residue in the bottle but sometimes) in the antifreeze is to have it tested. (can be done chemically or with a DEQ type sniffer) After driving it while it is hot, you should see little bubbles in the overflow bottle, this is signs of bad headgasket. I would also recommend replacing the radiator when you do the headgaskets as the are very thin in most models and are over 7 years old and now are contamenated with hydrocarbons and in some cases oil. Here are some other post about similiar problems, all you questions should be able to be answered there.

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=54250&highlight=headgasket

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=51975&highlight=headgasket

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=53304&highlight=headgasket

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=50010&highlight=headgasket

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=53331&highlight=headgasket

head gasket - search the forum like mentioned above. tons of info and this is a weekly if not daily topic. for the 2.5 liter of your vintage.

its a HG. Has all the classic signs. Get the exhaust test for the radiator. Also look for bubbles in the coolant. Radiators dont seem to clog up untill higher mileage, and usually only when the AC is on. You can get a raditaor for about 100 i think from raditaor.com. ALso change your oil when you have the HG fixed. Oil isnt keen on being over heated either.

 

nipper