rgibson4

I have a 97 Outback Wagon that I'm parting company with. I bought a 2007 Outback wagon. Does anybody know if the trailer wiring harness from the 97 will work in the '07? Thanks. Bob

Nipper Amazingly, I finally got the head gasket to leak for my mechanic. Interrmittant is an understatement. I'm having them replaced with Subaru OE. Based on experience, can I expect to run another 150,000 without doing this again, or is it a recurring problem. Mega thanks again for staying with me. Bob

Nipper Thanks (I think). The idea of waiting until it happens in the middle of Timbuktu is not appealing. Guess I'll be driving local for awhile and hope it croaks while I'm near the repairman. If I have to go the new HG route, do you recommend I buy Subaru gaskets or can I go local auto parts? Thanks again. Bob

Jamie I appreciate all the help you and Nipper and other provided. After I changed the thermostat and refilled the system (doing my best to be sure I got the air out), everything seemed fine. But, not trusting "everything" I took it to my mechanic and asked him to check for HG leakage in the coolant. He ran the car for 45 min to an hour with a sniffer and got zero. So off I go and everything was roses until day before yesterday. I've driven several hundred miles under all conditions although most in the 50-80 range, with no problem. Yesterday after I came home from work (18 miles), we decided to go out. After about 5 miles I looked at the temperture gauge and it was off the scale. I got off the highway and checked...boiling coolant had overflowed from the tank and it was all over the engine. I let it cool overnight. The next morning, the engine had sucked all the coolant back plus I had to add another gallon. Mechanic couldn't find anything after driving it for 10-12 miles. We replaced the thermostat again. Is this classic head gasket? Bob

Thanks. I'll go find one tomorrow. More to come........... Bob

Jamie Like I asked Nipper, what do I ask for and can you tell me how to use it? Thanks. I really appreciate your help. Bob

Another test is to go to an autoparts sotre and get the kit that checks for hydrocarbons in the exhaust. Nipper So I go to NAPA and ask for what? Is it something I put in teh overflow to see if there's hydrocarbon in the water or does this test what's coming out of the tail pipe? Sorry, this is a new one on me. I'm used to Subarus that go 250,000 with minimal problems. Thanks. Bob

I have a 1997 Legacy Outback Limited; 2.5 engine. I noticed the coolant looked like it had rust in it. That concerned me since I replace the coolant roughly every 30,000 miles. I decided to flush the system with Prestone Cleaner and refill. As soon as I drove with the Prestone Cleaner in the system (they tell you to drive 3 - 6 hours), it overheated. Thinking I had an air bubble or forgot to tighten the cap, I drove it again the next day. Car ran fine for about a half hour, then BAM the temperature gauge went sky high. I've never experienced an overheat situation on this car before, so I thought it was the thermostat. I changed the thermostat and ran the car in the driveway for a half hour. No overheat, but I noticed air bubbles in the overflow tank. I'm wondering if this is the telltale sign of a head gasket problem that the engine is so well known for. I have 160,000 miles and the engine idles very smoothly. Any suggestions/thoughts/advice appreciated. Bob

Thanks; that helps a lot. It's my son-in-law's car. My daughter will hit it with PB Blater for a few days and I'll be there Labor Day. I'll try the tap and twist, but knowing it goes into metal helps lots. Bob

Thanks. I'll try it. The bolts are hex-head but they're inset behind the fog light and within a plastic enclosure. I think heat is clearly out. Tapping may be too since it'a a piece of plastic with nothing behind it. Turning the right way is not in question unfortunately; I learned that one the hard way 30 years ago on a Chrysler lug nut. We'll spray for a few days then try again.

I'm trying to change the bulb in a 2003 Impreza Sedan fog light. There are 3 bolts holding it in. I used WD-40 for a few days in advance, but when I tried to take it out, the first bolt snapped off. I'm afraid to try torquing the others for fear of more of the same since I have no idea how hard it's going to be to get the broken bolts out. They appear to be turning into plastic and I can't see them from the bottom. Anybody have experience with this?