TKFlight

Did you use a OEM subaru thermostat? The white sludge usually doesn't show up with these years because they are external failures. But yes if they are seeping its time to get them done, they've made Multi-Layer Steel head gaskets for these years so I recommend purchasing those for the replacement. Also always use OEM subaru parts for the cooling system, thermostat, water pump, etc.

Pennsylvania, there's spray paint on stuff that isn't the crossmember and trailing arms. Pretty sure the actual uni-body is rotted out, everything in the rear is rusted you can name anything in the rear and its rusted all up.

Yea I could do that, I'll figure it out when I'm looking for a new car. I hate to see it go because it drives so good.

Talked to a second mechanic that I know and trust, we both went underneath it in the garage up on the lift. Its worse than expected, looks like its more than just the sub frame. Other parts of the suspension are rusting away and the previous owner decided to use spray paint or like a flex seal of some sort to cover them up. Its a long story on the car and how I got it, so I really had no idea this was going on until last week. Just gonna cut my loses and buy something when I get out of basic training and AIT training for the military. He checked it over, said the suspension is still good and firm for me to drive it till December when I ship out. Other than that he said, you are looking at a big bill or one hefty job to do it yourself just for you to keep it for the long run.

Thanks for the great information Bushwick!

When you say pumpkin oil, are you speaking on the differential? Also, the one thing I am stumped on is the two studs that go through the differential housing are those attached to the diff? If so what do you do if you snap those upon removal of the nuts that go over them, due to the rust? Are those something I can snatch up at a junk yard, or do I have a big problem if those snap off?

Yes thats the issue I'm having, rust isn't an issue in the front the rear got destroyed by the Pennsylvania road salt.

Thanks for the tips Bushwick. I'm planning on going to a junk yard and seeing if I can find one that looks good and pull it myself along with someone else. I took it to another mechanic to get a second opinion, but by the looks of it, it doesnt look good. 222k miles it was bound to happen at some point, im just keeping it alive till I get back from basic training then im gonna have some money laying around. If I fix this it might be worth riding the car out till it dies.

Thanks!

My 01 Legacy GT cant get inspected due to the rear sub frame being rusted out, is there any other years or models that will swap in? Or am I just looking at 2001 models? Thanks.

There was just a thread a few weeks ago about this. Some people have issues and some people don't with these newer subaru's, I think its 2010-2013 where people complain about high oil consumption. I believe the dealer has told them it is normal. When it is definitely not normal.

Plugs and wires, used NGK plugs with Subaru or NGK wires? Check the timing belt and see if it skipped a tooth Bad MAP/MAF/02? Getting any codes?

2.2 is a very good motor, non-interference. Whens the last time a tuneup has been done? Might explain why its lugging uphills. Probably time for a new PCV valve if it hasn't been done. Lots of people have good luck with just a drain and fill, flushing is where people get iffy. I've never had to add trans x but it looks like its worked for people. But yes still an ideal solution.

If you torque the head bolts down the same way on the drivers side, why isn't it seeping from the drivers side also? The coolant does expand when the car is at operating temp. Could one area of the passenger side head still have to much warp?

02 sensor could easily be the culprit. Ignition components you mean, plugs/wires? Could just be a misfire. How many times has the car overheated? If you neglected the HG issue for sometime, it is probably swap time like you said. Flushes are usually not recommended, drain and fills are.

Easily could not be enough pressure, the FSM procedure is for the factory HG gasket replacement. I'm not entirely sure if tightening the head bolts more is going to cause something else to happen. Strange that it is only doing it upon start up, if the bolts simply were not tight enough wouldn't it seep all the time?

Exhaust smell in the cabin. There's a bad smell sometimes when you get out of the passenger seat, really can't explain it. I know nissans have catalytic converter issues, but there are no check engine lights or anything strange going on. The exhaust in the cabin is fixed but the strange intermittent smell outside the car is still there.

Strange. My mother has an exhaust problem with her Nissan Altima, the dealer said it had an exhaust leak so it was brought there. Before it was brought there it had a really bad smell sometimes, on the passenger front side. Came back and it still has the same intermittent smell. Smells like burning JB Weld, I know that because I needed a quick fix for my jeep exhaust for a few days. Boy did it stink.

Yes, the cheap head gaskets are the reason. Six star or the turbo MLS gaskets are highly recommended around here. Both gaskets are multi-layer steel. I've said this before, mechanics just do not know subaru's as they may know other cars which is why its good to check on subaru forums first.

I wish there was more of that going on, to many people are getting ripped off by these guys. They provide a good service to people who have little automotive knowledge, but they instead rip these people off with other nonsense services and that is where it angers me. There is really nothing you can do to stop it though they are always going to fool, lets say, an older person with selling them fuel system cleaners. Why are these places doing radiator flushes anyway? It makes me wonder if they are using what the manufacturers say to use, or if they are dumping in some extended life dex cool that isn't for all cooling systems. How do they even know if the coolant needs to be changed? Its not like it changes colors. These places just never stop amazing me.

Yes they are, this is why I feel bad for single mothers who are forced to go to these places.

I go through this all the time, I just tell them and hope they learn. My family runs cars with no anti-freeze, oil, one time in the winter my aunts motor froze because she put water in with no anti-freeze. Once humans reach a certain age they are usually stuck in their ways, if they don't take care of their cars when they are 30 they are never going to change.

I'm not putting the matter so lightly, I should of worded it differently. If you are burning a quart a day then I'm on the boat with the people wanting to rip subaru's head off. The people complaining about having to dump a quart in every 3k I'm not siding for. Agreed they should own up to it if someone has a serious oil burning problem.

I wonder if using different weights and different oils would slow this down. Check this: http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/104-gen-4-2010-2014/52080-3-6-owners-does-your-car-burn-oil-between-oil-changes.html 44% = Oil level stayed the same for 7500miles 29% = Quart about every 3k 6% = Quart or more every 1.5k 19% = Less than a quart Those numbers are going to be consistent through out. I really don't see the issue in dumping a quart of oil in every 3k, its maintenance. I think these people are like most of the world, I just wanna ride my car till the wheels fall off. Don't care if it doesn't last 10 years. I do understand the argument that its a new car and shouldn't be burning oil, a quart every 3k who really cares? Is that $7 synthetic bottle going to brake the bank? I don't think so.

What? What??? Don't even know what that is, but What???? Now I sound like Stone Cold Steve Austin, but that's beside the point. I'd let my mechanic change my oil but not places like Monro or Jiffy Lube. Jiffy Lube has a contest with all their locations on who can change oil the fastest. They don't even let all the oil out of the pan. When it comes to a slow pour they shove the plug back in, swap the filter and fill it up. When I seen that video it cemented the reputation I have with them. Which isn't good. Fastest oil change was like 3minutes I believe. I understand the costs, but I'm one of those DIY guys at least I know the job is done right.