Need advice - 99 Sub Outback Blown HG

[chadmwalker]

I have a 1999 Subaru Legacy Outback wagon that I purchased new, and have driven for 190,000 miles. I have serviced this vehicle religiously, just put brand new Michelin tires on it, and have fairly new brakes (f&r). Within the last couple of months, I noticed the temp to be erratic, up and down. Usually turning on the heater would bring down the temp, but I had not researched the issue until now.

 

Last week, the temp went up, and wouldn't come back down, as I searched for a safe place to pull of the freeway, it stopped running. I had it towed to the dealer, and they tell me that I need a new Head Gasket, and based on how it sounds when running, will need a new Short Block. (~$4,500.00).

 

I'm wondering a few things:

1. Is it worth putting a remanufactured short block and HG in this car with this high number of miles?
   
2. Is there a place to purchase these parts somewhere other than the dealer?
   
3. Since I recently had it serviced (30K interval), and had mentioned the overheating problem to the dealer doing the service, would I have any recourse with them for not finding/addressing the issue?
   
4. Would I be better-off selling for parts/donating to charity?
   

I do not have the skills to fix this myself, and need to make a decision this week, as I need to either fix or forget so I can get a vehicle under my butt again.

 

Another option may be a used engine from a salvage yard, but I'm worried about other problems that may exist with them (given the number of HG failures found on this site).

 

I'm really looking for some good advice, to help me make a sound decision.

 

Thank you!!

-Chad

[lmdew]

I have a good 99 2.5 with 12K on it ($2000). I was going to put it in a 97, but then with some assistance from CCR in Denver figured the 97 engine was not making metal.

 

I've been looking for a 97-99 Outback or Forster to put it in.

 

CCR in Denver sells very good remanfactured engines, contact them at www.ccrengines.com

Buy a used engine, if you go with a quality yard you should be OK, but you never know for sure what you are getting and if you are not doing the work yourself, you will be out the costs of the labor for 2 engine changes.

 

Is it a manual or auto trans? If its an auto, I wouldn't put to much money into it, as the trans may need a rebuild down the road.

 

If you are going to sell the car, let me know, I'm still looking: Lmdew@hotmail.com

 

Later, Larry

[chadmwalker]

My Outback is an automatic. Larry, I sent you an email. I'm not sure how to determine the value of a vehicle that needs this significant repair.

 

KBB shows private party value of this car (in good condition) at $8,810, trade-in at $6,770.00. Any ideas?

 

Any thoughts on if it's worth even talking to the dealer that recently serviced it?

 

Thanks for the response,

 

-Chad

[Martinjmpr]

My Outback is an automatic. Larry, I sent you an email. I'm not sure how to determine the value of a vehicle that needs this significant repair.

 

KBB shows private party value of this car (in good condition) at $8,810, trade-in at $6,770.00. Any ideas?

 

Any thoughts on if it's worth even talking to the dealer that recently serviced it?

 

Thanks for the response,

 

-Chad

That seems a little high for a vehicle with 190 grand on it. I just ran a KBB on my '99 OBW with 73k on it and it came out to the $8,000-$13,000 range (although I take that higher "suggested retail" value with a large grain of salt), which seems to be about what I see them being offered for in ads.

 

Even for a Subaru, those are some high miles. I think the thing to consider is, by the time a vehicle has that many miles, other things are getting ready to go besides the engine. The $2000-4000 that a new engine would cost you would be better applied toward a new(er) (not neccessarily new) vehicle.

 

Just my opinion, but I think you've gotten about as much value out of this car as you're likely to get. Not that Subaru's can't go the extra mile (in this case, I'd say it's already gone much further than you would reasonably expect any lesser car to go) but with its high mileage, you may be throwing good money after bad.

 

Probably also depends on what you intend to use it for. If it's just an around-town car and the prospect of a major failure wouldn't lead to anything more catastrophic than a 20-minute walk home, then maybe replacing/rebuilding the engine is a viable option. OTOH, if this is the car that's got to get you over the mountains in the dead of winter and a major failure could leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere in a blizzard, then, again, maybe you'd be better off cutting your losses.

[JT95]

I'd have to agree. If this is a car that you need to depend on for travel or anything beyond running errands about town, I probably wouldn't fool with paying someone to swap in an engine, as the costs you rack up would probably be better applied to a replacement vehicle. If you were doing the work yourself, then I'd probably say go for it, but paying someone to do an engine swap--especially a dealer--is going to add up to some serious cash. Unless you just have this deep personal attachment to the car, I'd say it's time to move on.How good is the body/paint on the car? Interior? This sounds like a great project car for a home mechanic, so I'd say you won't have any trouble finding anyone to want it--as far as a fair price, I'm not so sure what that might be. You figure an $8,000 car that needs over $4,000 worth of work, and that brings it down quite a bit, especially when you figure someone who fixes it is still going to have a car with 200,000 on the odometer and it's book value isn't going to be a bunch.

 

If you want to sell it locally, check with a few car lots who specialize in doing rebuilt wrecks, as they are in the habit of buying fixable cars to sell. There definitely might be a few folks here who'd be interested. Personally, I'd stick it on eBay for a 10 day auction. If you had the time and resources, parting out the car would probably give you the best bang dollar-wise, if everything else is in good shape.

 

As far as holding some liability over the dealer who last serviced it, you'd have to have some written documentation that they were asked to check the overheating issue. Just your memory wouldn't do much in court. You'd have to proove that they were negligent in not addressing the issue, which might not be easy. The thing you have going against you is that the car is pushing 200,000 miles. The average Joe expects cars to start going kaput after 150,000 anyway...Still, it may be worth discussing with the dealer. Explain to the manager that this was an issue they failed to address despite your voiced concerns. If it's any type of dealership--I'm assuming you originally bought the car from them--they will cut you a very nice deal on the repair (labor free or 50%) or else give you full trade in value for the car on the purchase of a new Subaru. If they don't offer you something fair, I'd flip 'em the bird and never go back.

[coloradosubarules]

I do not know how much wrench turning skills you have under your belt but if it was me I would go on ebay, find me a newer engine that has a warranty (or from someone that has mucho feedback), get it tested when you recieve it and take a day and install that bad boy. It's a 99 and by my standards thats still a new car considering I drive a 90 with 235K on it. It has the 2.2 and I am assuming you have the 2.5 because they are know for HG problems.

[chadmwalker]

Oops. I had looked at a 2000 model on KBB. 1999 is $7,825 Sale /$6,450 Trade.

 

Anyone interested in making me an offer send to chadmwalker@hotmail.com.

 

More info about the car:

Color = Hunter Green. Has a few bumps and bruises, but nothing major on the exterior.

 

CD/Cassette, power windows, power locks, grey fabric interior, new Michelin XW4 tires, ABS, serviced at regular service intervals. Recent brake work to front and rear brakes. Just had major service interval about 3-5 K miles ago.

 

 

-Chad

[ajordan9]

I just received a motor from CCR and threw it in last weekend. My Father in-law is a mechanic so he directed traffic from the side lines. This engine (my first replacement) was easy. Total of 11 hours for me. Before this the most extensive wrench work was alternator/starter/brakes type work. What I am trying to say is if you know someone with the right tools it is an easy swap. With all that said I paid just under $3K for the engine. Mine is a 99 with 62,XXX on it so the cost was a little easier to justify. Good luck.