ThosL

Have you done a recording of the chirp, it may be more clear what it is.

Probably the manager did some checking and did not want to support the unsupportable--probably both workers who directly handled the vehicle living at the homeless shelter with sketchy backgrounds. Some employers like to hire people who are unemployable elsewhere as it gives them more power over them.

I had the hearing this week; won by default; the judge just wanted my testimony. My claim plus costs were all awarded, I hope I don't have to go through a lot of trouble to get the money now.

I have had scurrying noises for quite a while when I turn the engine on; I don't know whether it is little animals like mice or actually the water flowing through the dashboard area and out.....

Or in any way impaired, coming off too much to drink the night before; be aware of manipulation, charm, or intimidation methods whether you are the buyer or seller. It doesn't hurt to do a background search on the seller to see if any red flags pop up or indications of their not being honest. Ebay requires car history reports with its VIN-based listings, I guess that's why they charge $50 just to list a vehicle....Asking if the seller used a head gasket seal solution would probably not turn up an honest reply, as I have heard people on car sites say they used Blue Devil and then unloaded the vehicle.

I had a leak with my 2.2 and used Lucas stop oil leak with good results.

One of the best or most energetic mechanics I have known is Ray Greene in the Brattleboro, Vt area. He could cut split and deliver three cords of firewood in a day and changed engines on Subarus outside in the winter in less than a day. There is a lot to be said for energy, vitality and raw ability and motivation.

What are the most important traits in good mechanics? I'm afraid with all the testing, licensing and gadgets that mechanics are required to have knowledge of and be in compliance on that the ordinary talents may not be properly developed. When I was running a full time tree and landscape service, getting the job done well and and the right price was the critical thing, not licensing and other nit-picking legal stuff. So what are the key features in quality mechanics and what are the best ones you have known?

I've never been that rigorous on doing checklists on used cars, and I assume most others decide quickly on their purchases. How many people here have had their mechanics check out prospective vehicle purchases or gone online to check Consumer Reports, etc.? https://www.lewrockwell.com/2015/08/no_author/buying-a-used-car/

What's in it? It smells like petroleum distillate.... Plus red dye. Too bad all these companies have their confidentiality rules so you can never find out what is in the product.

I got a call from Blue Devil this morning with the offer to refund the product when I go into Advance Auto with the receipt and empty bottle; thanks for the help on this thread.

F and S Subaru in Waterbury told me about trying to use the product "install" it, etc.. He said it did not work for him and found it very caustic, you have to be careful how you handle it. I know that the Puerto Rican Americans who originally sold the vehicle to me ran a head gasket fix through the 2.5 which later gave out and I had a head gasket job which cost me $1500 but should not have been done as the increased compression caused the crankshaft to go bad and then I had a 2.2 installed.

And I can't afford the head gasket job estimated between $1K and $2K from several shops on a vehicle with 295+ K miles.

Credit at store if you satisfy all their conditions; I've been getting the run around with the usps and express guarantees, they sure hate to give any refunds. What business never gives refunds? The world's oldest profession....

"Restore" seems to be a popular product. I wonder what ever happened to Slick 50?

Bubbles in the radiator; steam coming out of the radiator bleed screw when I take it out after it has overheated. No it doesn't say to pull a plug or find the one with the blow by. Blue Devil is one of the few of these head gasket repairs in a bottle that says you must flush the coolant system and run pure water before using their product or they will not refund; the flush product has to be on the receipt or no dice. One other product says you have to have a definite written diagnosis of bad head gasket before using their product.

I got a letter today from the Small Claims Court notifying me I won by default--"Splash" car wash/oil change did not reply to my filing. Now the challenge will be getting my $$$ back.

So I was speaking with a technical assistant from the "Blue Devil" head gasket fix company yesterday as I was trying to find out how to get the refund. He said they have a 90% success rate. If I get a refund it is not $$, but credit at the auto store. So he said I should have pulled the plugs and found out it any of them were showing coolant seepage which their product is supposed to fix. I said I did not check the plugs. And get this--he said the Blue Devil is designed to fix the leaks if you pull the plug that is getting the seepage, and run the vehicle on three cylinders while the product does the trick on the one problem one--which one? So what is the likely scenario since I am able to drive my 2.2 Outback without overheating as long as I don't overstress it? Just head gasket; leakage elsewhere? Warped head, cracked head no?

I was driving my Subaru with the 2.2 today and overheating after some lugging up hills on the hot day; usually the head gasket blow by is manageable, with the bubbles of steam not being out of control. So I had to pull over, as when I put the heater/defrost on full blast, no heat was coming out. So when the heater started working again, I was able to drive it at around 65 mph without overheating.

We have seen quite a few additives come down the pike over the last 30 years. "Slick 50"; STP; "Tuffoil"; Rislone; Motor Honey; Restore for the oil systems. Lucas and others for the tranny; Blue Devil, Barsleak and others for the water system; "Platinum Fuelsaver" and other contraptions as add ons for the air intake for better mpg. Which of them have some merit and which did real damage?/

I actually went back yesterday to get an oil change on my Suburu as I was way overdue, and Valvoline was closed. $27 and the guy recognized me and the threat I had made to report his shop to the state consumer affairs department. People don't have to boycott businesses if you or a family member was ripped off.

I went to a junkyard with a lot of Subarus yesterday and they had a switch to plug in to check if that was it. It was the switch. The auto lever on the drivers side window had broken off and I had put another one on that switch, which may have effected the short on that unit.

Insurance in my experience, doesn't really cover all the costs of repair though the insurance companies will unctuously declare that they "made you whole". A lady in a Subaru pulled in front of mine a few years ago, and with the front end damage, it was considered totaled by her adjuster. Then I looked around for a comparable or newer 99 Outback at around $3K without any luck. With repair, rental vehicle while I was waiting for the vehicle to be ready by state standards, and only those expenses specifically aimed at the repair, I ended up being out over $500. So I took up the matter with the state insurance commissioner and did not get any more $$$ for out of pocket but the insurance company of the lady was hit with the mediated fee.

If it's not broken don't fix it, is a good motto.

I was wondering what others think about repairing just one side when symptoms arise? One CV joint, one wheel bearing, one head gasket, one wheel, or even one failing brake? Why is it that the usual recommendation is you have to do both sides at the same time? Right reason should dictate based on what can be afforded, you repair or have repaired only what is in need of attention, unless it is a lot easier and sensible to do both sides at the same time.