98 Outback - Should it stay or should it go?

[pragma]

My apologies for posting for help on my first time out here. If I'm in the wrong forum, or broke protocol, just slap me with a trout and I'll do what needs to be done.

 

I am the proud owner of a 1998 2.2L Outback @ 117,000-ish miles on it. While repairs have been rather on the steep side, I can't complain about too much else... until recently.

 

So I'm up against that big question: dump the car, drive it into the ground, or fix it up over the next year and hope for another 100k?

 

Here's the details. I'll be happy to elaborate in the thread if anyone wants more info.

 

- Likely internal head-gasket leak (gurgling sound, was overheating - exhaust in coolant?)

- Slight gear noise at low rpm while moving upgrade (tranny fluid?)

- leaks oil ( could be related to HG?)

- gear oil leak in rear diff

- tons of play in steering at highway speed (power steering?)

 

I've had the head gaskets done before already (@66k - much more severe leak that time), and the transaxle bearing went a year ago. A few months after that, it suffered from a prop-shaft misalignment (deep pothole @45mph) which might explain the gear noise and steering, but I'm doubtful.

 

So that's about it. Aside from the head-gasket, has anyone seen these as common problems that are easily fixed, or am I up the creek?

 

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[idosubaru]

oh my monkey nuts you have had an outright nightmare with your poor soob.

 

first - why did they blow the first time and this time? did it overheat due to radiator, thermostat, water pump failing...or something else? a 2.2 shouldn't blow a headgasket that early. and if repaired properly it should not have blown again already. were the heads milled the first time they were replaced?

 

ignore the oil leaks. if you repair the head gaskets the oil leaks will be easy to fix (a few dollars for new cam, crank, oil pump seals and valve covers and you're golden). if you replace the engine then you can replace these seals as well or hope the new engine leaks less. either way...no issue.

 

the steering play at high speed has always in my experience been the steering rack bushings. they're cheap $20-$40 or something and easy to replace. it could be tie rod ends or steering rack related...but i doubt it. crawl under and look at your steering rack bushings, it might be obvious they are warn or even gone totally. grab the rack and try to move it, see what part gives.

 

rear diffs can be found fairly cheap used. a pothole that jacked up your driveshaft? that is no normal pothole then!

 

the gear noise is the only thing that i'm not sure about and would concern me. i'd like to track that down. are you sure it's not your leaking rear diff? they make a fairly consistent whine when they have issues. was the prop shaft replaced after the pot hole?

 

are you doing the work yourself or paying someone? replacing the engine with a cheap used unit if you're not sure about this engine. i'd be concerned after two overheats and headgasket replacements. if checked and done right they should be fine, but i'd be cautious if you don't know and trust the mechanic doing the work. make sure the heads are being tested and resurfaced if you have them replaced.

 

welcome from maryland. i'm from carroll county and have very honest mechanic friends if you're close to that area. i have already pointed a few people from this board to people that i know with excellent results. PM or email for more on that...

[Manarius]

If it's a 2.2, that engine isn't stock. Odds are it's a 2.5

[idosubaru]

if it's an impreza outback sport it could be an EJ22.

so to avoid confusion you could clarify the model, vehicle and engine. outback wagon should have a 2.5, outback sport would have a 2.2. this is in stock form of course.