ThosL

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.

So often they get taxed based on Kelly Bluebook, etc., which is often way off of real value.

Many states and locales tax vehicles: http://www.factorywarrantylist.com/car-tax-by-state.html And as I pointed out before some of them play extreme hardball if you don't pay that or other taxes with corrupt enforcers, or at the very least the inability to register vehicles until you do pay it. http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Cops-Ex-Fairfield-County-high-sheriff-charged-6313743.php I hope this guy never sees the light of day after his sentencing.

Town property tax, I think the bill was over $50. NH is famous for hefty taxes on vehicles.

This is pretty easy to do with many cash sales and it begs the question whether people flipping vehicles, buying at auction and in private sales and selling them for cash are reporting their profits as income? Do the states do due diligence?

So I was taxed in my residence town based on the Kelly bluebook value on my 99 Outback of around $3300 at 70% of that. So I challenged it claiming my 99 OB with around 300K miles and blown head gaskets was worth around $1K. So I had a hearing yesterday with the assessment board of two guys and a woman. When I said the vehicle was basically a junker the older woman asked whether it was safe to drive then? I said yes, the mechanic issue is my problem not a public safety one, but most of the local mattoids driving their high end vehicles have absurdly high standards like my sister who calls triple A if her check engine light goes on. The upshot of the meeting is they may lower the assessed tax, but are limited on what they can lower it to.

And by the way the car runs much better without the thermostat; no overheating, leaking is minimal, can drive at 65 without problems. Bubbling in the radiator overflow is still happening though not that bad.

Leak was from the thermostat hose junction; I pulled the thermostat out due to overheating and left the rubber gasket in.

I'll go back out there and see if I can see where the leak is coming from. Having had the two hoses over the engine blow out probably the rubber one to the water pump is now going.

How do I diagnose which it is? I just bought a couple feet of 5/16 rubber fuel line to do the job if it is the rubber line. If it is the rubber line what are the steps to remove and replace it? It looks pretty well hidden.

OK, thanks. I will follow up and let you know how it goes as this must be done apparently with the drip, drip drip when driving. Too bad those hoses weren't replaced when the water pump was done.

I was able to do those two hoses myself; another leak has developed from around the water pump which was replaced last fall. I spoke with F and S the Subaru experts locally and they said that is not a do it yourself hose replacement. Apparently the hose comes from around the engine down to the water pump.

Good luck with those, I didn't know you could upgrade to 16 inch tires. I found one at a tire shop in Bridgeport, installed for $43 with the tax, he wanted cash because the boss was out of the office, but I showed him how to work the cc machine. I've never had much luck with Craigslist.

About 50% tread, I have never seen such short supply of used tires, apparently the trend is away from these sizes.