Up in Smoke

[Avril]

Thermostat? Heater core? I don't know. But I was driving down the highway when my 2008 Legacy Outback made a rattling sound. As I pulled off onto an exit, I lost power and smoke began pouring out of the engine. There was still fluid in the radiator although some of it had sprayed from under the cap. The mechanic said the engine overheated and blew. He offered to get me a used engine for $3500. I may not be the smartest girl on the block, but this doesn't sound right to me. It's had good upkeep and is a four-cylinder with 129,000 miles. Any thoughts from the Subaru savvy out there? Much appreciated! 

[Rooster2]

Sorry to read about your problem......Smoke began pouring out of the engine.........most likely was steam from the cooling system. Yes, good chance the motor over heated and blew up. Suspect there was some sort of a leak in the cooling system, perhaps a hose or radiator leaked. Doesn't sound like the engine is repairable.

 

I live in Indiana, so don't know the MA area. A little story............ My daughter had similar problem of loosing coolant in her Hyundai. It blew the engine. I called around to local wrecking yards, and bought a used engine for $900. The yard worked with a nearby garage to do engine swaps. The garage picked up the used engine from the yard, took it to their shop, and installed for $500. All I had to do was have the car towed to the garage. If you go this route, make sure the rad hoses and radiator don't leak.

 

Keep us posted on your repair progress.

[DaveT]

The single most important thing to monitor is coolant level. At least once a week, until / unless you notice coolant loss. Then it is wise to check every day until the leak is found and fixed.

[heartless]

www.car-part.com

 

put in your search criteria and have a look at what is available in your area

$3500 for a used motor seems a bit steep to me, but different areas will have different pricing..

[1 Lucky Texan]

did it smell like 'toasted marshmallows' ? that is definitely coolant.

 

rattling noise may indeed mean the engine is not 'economically' reparable. Even if the rattling is from bent valves due to a slipped timing belt, the rod bearings could have overheated.

 

many people opt for used engines from junkyards or imports from Japan.

 

If you like and trust your mechanic, have a converstaion as to how he arrived at the price. maybe he is 'high-balling' it because he doesn't want to do the work?  You can also ask for a shop recommendation in a new thread - maybe someone knows of a good Subaru shop near you.

[idosubaru]

Mechanics don't price shop so that is high but I wouldn't necessarily assume they're being unfair either.

 

Www.car-part.com mentioned above.

 

eBay has engines and JDM engines as well.

 

I haven't priced many this new but I'd think you could get it done for $2,500. $1500-$2,000 engine and $500 install.

 

Add $150-350 and he should be able to install a new timing belt kit for you and you're good for 100,000 miles.