Did my 97 OBW 2.5's HGs Finally Go?

[rplumbo]

I just turned over 175k miles on my 97 OBW with 2.5 engine. I think I've been happily "beating the odds" with this car since I first learned of the HG issues on these engines.

 

About 3 months ago, while idling I noticed my heater starting to blow cold air and temp start rising. Since I was on the street, I pulled forward into a driveway and as soon as I hit the throttle to move the car, the heat returned and the temp gauge went back to normal.

 

Two weeks later, after not having the problem reoccur, I brought the car into my mechanic to have some unrelated work done (axels), and asked them to flush and replace the coolant. They did so, said it looked "chunky" and I went on my way.

 

A week later, while driving slowly, same thing. Temp started rising and the heat went away. These short episodes continued about once a week for the next three weeks.

 

THEN, last night I was driving home. I look down and my temp gauge is climbing while doing 70 on the highway. I pull over and shut off the engine, pop the hood and check things out. Overflow tank looks fine, no bubbles, coolant looks good, BUT coolant had obviously been pushed out of the overflow tank. The engine compartment had coolant all over it, but the overflow tank still appeared full. I waited for the engine to cool, and proceeded down the highway.

 

I made it about 2/3 of a mile before the same thing happens. This time when I check the overflow, it's bone dry, and I can see that the walls of the tank have a brown film on them.

 

Ran to the store, bought some coolant, refilled to the cold line. Idled engine and the same thing happened and no obvious improvement - the temp gauge would slowly climb. However, this time, the overflow tank remained at the same level through the idling.

 

 

Is there hope this is something else other than a head gasket? It's now at a mechanic and I'm going to speak with him about what to do. I was thinking of having him check the cooling system, do another flush and generally check things over.

 

Things that point to HG:

Loss of heat

Slight film in coolant overflow tank

Coolant overflowed overflow tank into engine compartment

 

Against HG:

I've never seen a bubble in the overflow tank

Coolant always looks nice and green, no obvious discoloration

 

Is there hope?

 

Thanks!

[mdjdc]

Your head gaskets are gone. DO NOT go thru all of the troubel with the radiator and the thermostat. It is definitely the HG's. Sory for the bad news.

[idosubaru]

while i wouldn't want to miss something simple it does sound like the headgasket is hosed. make sure you don't have a slow leak or loss of coolant as this will introduce air and cause overheating.

 

does not sound like a radiator or thermostat.

 

tell the mechanic not to bother with a compression test, they rarely (if ever) show anything on these motors unless they're really hosed. which yours obviously isn't given the current description we have.

 

if you like the car and want another 50-100k out of it, that might be possible. get an ebay timing belt kit and use Subaru only headgaskets.

[rplumbo]

Thanks all. I spoke with the mechanic again this morning. They had a test they can do to see if it's HGs. For $50, I can know either way and that'll help me determine how to proceed. I'll post the results when I get them.

 

Thanks!

[davebugs]

I'm betting that unfortunately you could have saved 50 bucks. And put that towards the HG job or 2.2 swap.

[jimbean]

i also have subaru forester 1998. Have same problems heat goes then comes back. Overheating sometimes. How much will it cost me for replacing this?

[mdjdc]

dealer cost for replacement depends on where you live. Around here in Richmond, va. it around 2000.00 and that does not include a new water pump or timing belt. Where do you live? Ma;ybe one of the board memeber can help you get it done cheaper.

[idosubaru]

Thanks all. I spoke with the mechanic again this morning. They had a test they can do to see if it's HGs. For $50, I can know either way

hopefully he's not doing this:

tell the mechanic not to bother with a compression test, they rarely (if ever) show anything on these motors unless they're really hosed. which yours obviously isn't given the current description we have.

 

the test he should be doing is an exhaust gases in the coolant test (which are available at most auto parts stores i believe). might want to call and ask to save everyone the trouble.

 

many mechanics do not know that EJ motors almost always pass compression tests with blown headgaskets. i've even seen them pass compression and exhaust gases test but that's probably rare or maybe the test just didn't take for some reason.

[bheinen74]

The test applies to most other cars, but does not apply to the ej25 dohc motor. it will pass the test.

 

Your hg are needing replaced. you have bubbling coolant in the overflow after temp is achieved.