ThosL

OK, thanks. Usually I have gotten misfire codes when the wires were compromised. Also got an O2 code.

I was wondering what triggers the CEL to flash vs. their just going and staying on? I checked the codes and it showed a couple misfire codes, so I will pull the plugs to see how they are and if that is part of the problem.

Or the hot water will keep it open and make it more supple; hard to know. It looked like the auto part store has bent hoses that would work for around $12.

Thanks for the professional advice; I tried to work with the fuel line, got it on, but not the hose clamp #2 yet. I figured the hot water moving through there would probably cause it to get better.

This hose recently went from bad to worse on me, glad I caught it in time. Auto Zone could order it for around twenty, but I got a comparable fuel line section for a buck fifty. I took off the old one and tried putting in the new one with the hose clamps; the old one was curved, am I going to have any problems with this replacement? Also did the same thing with the two finger width hoses over the engine. They have pre-formed sections you can get and install.

I am seeing many Subaru wagons well under 180K miles being offered on CL and Bargain News in my area. Never be afraid to walk away from a "deal", it is what the sharp chiselers do all day long, arrive with cash in hand and make lowball offers, if they are serious about getting real market value for it they should do their research before selling. There are many Subarus that come up around here in the early 2000s and before for under $2K. But I agree that looks like a deal if everything checks out.

I would also check all cooling lines as there are many people miss, also the hose clamps to make sure they are secure.

I tried them all, Blue Devil is supposedly the best with the guarantee, but it did not work with my internal leak; I got two refunds though!! One with the standard product and another with the PourNGo. So at least their word is worth something. I also got the $47 Bars product at Auto Zone and did a chargeback on my credit card. I would call them explain what the problem is and see what they have to say and see if anyone here has any recommendations. Heck, even with a blown head gasket I am now over 300K miles and it runs great!

Good luck with that; amazing how those with the high end four wheel drives like Range Rovers pussy foot over the sticks laying in the road while Subarus have been built for off road travel for years. I once had my CV joint come out of the joint on a class four road hiking near Monson Maine, amazing I was able to get it back in and to a shop.

These are under $50 parts, not that hard to replace but be careful--pulling wires or couplers apart. I did mine as the mechanic didn't have the time, and I didn't want to spend over $100 for the job. I have gotten the code still once in a while after doing the job.

I'm sorry this happened to you. For more minor issues I would try Lucas and run synthetic oil for minimum friction.

The reason I started this thread was because the part-time mechanic and car flipper who I met at Auto Zone last week said that if you use those head gasket stop leak products more than once you must have clogged the radiator, so I was going on his thought that the radiator was bad, I could get a used one at the local junkyard for around $75. I don't think that is the problem. '99 Outback with compromised head gaskets in a transplant 2.2 engine with over 200K miles, the car has around 300K miles. Getting a replacement 2.2 in with about 175k miles for $1300 installed may be an option. I see much better Subarus on CL under $2k recent HG. In the meantime without the thermostat I am getting the water loss at a much lesser rate than with the thermostat.

Sorry to hear that happened and hope you get it fixed.

Car is actually running well with the assumed bad head gaskets due to occasional bubbles in radiator overflow. I replaced radiator last fall with a new one, water pump was replaced by a shop then too. I am running it without thermostat though with attendant issues but no performance issues at this point except that sometimes the heater is not throwing heat which is due to water not flowing through there. Car is not overheating.

What are the symptoms of the radiator not working? After using some of the head gasket seal products, I ran a gallon of wine vinegar through it to boil out what may clog it. Someone said the radiator may be impaired; what would be the symptoms of that?

Mine does not jive with the newer spring loaded pumps; also I have a slight leak which varies greatly depending on new vs. old pump.

In the case of dealers laws are pretty clear on responsibilities of sellers in this state: http://www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/view.asp?A=2066&Q=292362 The law doesn't do anything unless customers invoke it. I have a sister who bought a Subaru from an area used car dealer and problems developed right away. Personal responsibility? Who is the expert? Usually the law is against professionals who misrepresent what they sell but the customer and consumer need to invoke it by calling the right agency about the problem if the dealer does not make good on the problem. Ripping people off is bad for business, for society and should lead to major problems for unscrupulous businesses. Lots of resources online on the laws regarding used vehicle sales, like this: http://dealer-license.com/flipping-cars/ Buyers should retain all records of transactions so they have paper trails. Sellers of used cars must get the requisite license in many states over a certain number of vehicles. Every other buying/selling transaction is regulated by law. If people are going to flip vehicles they need to be following the laws in doing so.

In my town most of the affluent car owners would not be seen dead in an old car like mine with average incomes well over $100K. I am all for justice and low taxes if people are playing by the rules, but if people are living extremely extravagantly I would think taxes on vehicles could be a common sense action by government to levy. You buy a Maserati, Rolls, Mercedes or other luxury vehicle and that should come with reasonable tax charges since obviously those people can afford that. Econbox cars are another matter. And owners should not be taxed above market value.

I disagree with you. My concerns are well placed. How many buyers bought an impaired vehicle like this that was diagnosed with a head gasket issue and then a flipper ran a quick and temporary fix through it and they palmed off the vehicle on an unsuspecting buyer? These guys used manipulative tactics in selling and others that I did not mention. The authorities and system exists for good reason. And tax and other authorities should go after con-artists and rip-off artists. To brow beat concerned citizens is being an accessory and abettor to immoral, unethical and possibly criminal activity. It makes those engaging in your type of rhetoric as bad as they are and raises questions whether you have done the same thing, palming off problem material on buyers and making all types of bad excuses when confronted. You may want to examine your own conscience. Lemon and other laws exist for very good reasons!

I would not worry at this stage. 60K miles? Many people on this site have over 200K without worries, I have nearly 300K.

As with the guys who sold me the Outback flipping it from $1200 paid to $3000 sold for with hard to find problems until later, they should pay the full taxes due and buyers could forward additional paperwork to the state, if they are taking essentially a blank check from another seller and selling it to someone else without their names being on the transaction. Taxes on buying and selling are not that great for most people if they work in all their deductions. And the argument that it is the USA and people can play by whatever rules and not file taxes honestly wears pretty thin with those who have looked into the implications. And putting a lower number on the bill of sale than actual is bad all around and in most cases really doesn't amount to big money. That's why a lot of states have gone to other basis for tax values than what the buyer states. And the state has a right to do random inquiries on transactions as they should be doing.

Plus flippers can get around the limits by having buddies doing it in their names.

It seems early for the timing belt/water pump, minimum $400 job in most parts, I was quoted up to $800. When they replaced the water pump the timing belt had little wear on it so it was not replaced but the gaskets were melted, not a good sign. When the timing belt snaps it is tow truck city. I don't know if age causes any wear or degradation.

One way around this is someone gets a vehicle with a title or registration filled out and made out to blank; then the "buyer" flips it and the real buyer fills out the information, like the guys from Bridgeport who flipped the Subaru to me paying $1200 and selling it for $3000. No paper trail, just cash.

Prevention saves lots of headaches; like hindsight, knowing how you could have prevented a breakdown is tough to think about. Keep your eye on all the fluids, don't over-stress the car, high speeds and towing trailers are major stressors. Usually there is a trigger for mechanical problems. I can't believe all the headgasket issues just happened as normal wear and tear. Maybe someone worked on it who was careless or having a bad day.