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Hello All,
While changing over to my winter wheels on my ‘trusty’ ’98 forester, I decided to take a look at the fluids and suspension components. Lower Ball joints need to be replaced for sure, but the most concerning problem is the muddy looking coolant in my overflow tank. I took a quick whiff and I could smell oil 🙁 . As a modern day citizen I made a quick google search and 95% of the time this means head gasket failure. I check the gasket and there is no visible leaking from the gasket–completely dry. What IS leaking is the valve cover gaskets and well as what looks like to be the timing cover (I dont know why this is). Does anyone have an idea what might be the issue? Is there any explanation as to why the coolant would be oily besides the head gasket? I DO know that I will definitely be flushing the whole cooling system. I wouldn’t think much of it normally, but ill be traveling in mid January and hopefully not have the engine crap out on me.
Thanks,
Mike
YouTube link showing above: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AJkaUuUWAU&feature=youtu.be
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If there is that much oil in the overflow. That means the radiator
has oil to. Start the car with the rad cap off and see if bubbles
come out the top of do a block test.Usually a Subaru is going to need head gaskets somewhere between 100 and 150k. However, the usual failure route is combustion gases to water jacket.
The ’98 Forester has the Phase I DOHC 2.5 engine. These engines had an internal head gasket leak, into the combustion chamber. Unlike the later Phase II SOHC 2.5, which was an external leak. Check for bubbles in the coolant (pretty surefire way to test for head gasket failure on these) when the car is running and test for combustion gases in the coolant. Most likely if you have coolant and oil mixing, you’ll have to do a head gasket job. Just the way of life with these cars. Best practice is to pull the engine, use the updated Subaru gasket (you could use the new design FelPro as well, but OE is preferred), and do other jobs like the timing belt at the same time. If you use the updated gasket, and do a thorough job, these engines are otherwise relatively trouble-free.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes.
Thank you for this information.
Do you think it would be easier/cheaper to swap an engine in that has been overhauled already? I find them on craigslist every now and then for $600.
If it is just a head gasket with your previous engine.
Why change an entire engine? If the engine has other issues
then yes change the engine. The only problem is what are you
really getting?I agree with collegeman, unless your engine is very high mileage or has other problems, I would just do the head gaskets on it, and any other maintenance it may need, and you should be in good shape.
You have to ask yourself if the cost of parts and labor (if you’re doing it yourself) is worth it on a 1998 car. I have done a few Subaru head gaskets and it’s a labor intensive job.
I would check over the whole car to see what else it needs before making a decision wheather it’s worth repairing or not.
The car is due for a timing belt replacement, Head gaskets, Vavle cover gaskets, and probably an internal seal since oil is coming from the timing belt cover. It also needs a lower ball join as well as two axles.
At this point i’m going to get rid of the vehicle. it doesn’t make sense to put money into the car. I would drive it until the head gasket takes over, but i will be traveling and cant afford the headache!
Thanks for everyone who helped diagnose the problem.
Mike
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