Weird (possible) issue

[subydrift]

So I just bought a 97' Outback a few weeks ago and its been running great. I've read all up on the head gasket issues and actually had to swap engines in my last 97' Outback a couple years ago. The new one currently has 137k miles. The other morning I drove to get a new air filter and oil and when I got home and shut the car down I heard a gurgling/bubbling noise in the coolant overflow bottle. I proceeded to change my air filter letting the coolant cool down a bit before checking it. When I went to check the coolant and grab the cap it was ice cold, so I pull it off and stick my finger into the coolant and it is also ice cold.

What could be the cause of the coolant in the radiator to be cold and the car running at normal operating temps with no overheating?

Well that brings me to the next part. I haven't had any overheating issues with this car since I've been driving it. Well today I noticed the defrost was blowing only slightly warm air, nothing like the hot air it usually blows. Then I noticed the temp gauge slightly higher than normal and it started creeping slowly higher so I hit the hands and feet heat button and instantly hot air started blowing and the temp gauge dropped right down.

Any ideas as to what might cause this? When I looked at the coolant it was super green and didn't appear to be dirty at all.

[ETC]

You don't say how long you drove the car to get the filter or, how cold it was out in the first instance.

The interior air thing sounds like a HVAC door issue because it blows air through the same heater core for both.

The temp rising thing sounds like either air in the cooling system or a malfunction thermostat. When you actually got air flowing through the heater core it acts as a small radiator to dissipate engine heat.

If the Temp gauge gets past the "normal" mark and the lower radiator hose is cold, check the thermostat. Use only a OEM [not stant] thermostat ... if you don't know what's in there, check it ... that could be your problem if the previous owner put a aftermarket part in there.

Search Thermostat on the forum and you see pictures of the difference between the two.

Air in the system can cause funky readings as well ... in that thermostat search you'll run across how to bleed air out of the system.

Also check your radiator cap and the hose that does to the coolant bottle. Most auto parts stores will let you use their cap tester and you can visually check the rubber gasket to see if it's "ok". The hose should not be cracked and should be submerged in coolant, if not it can suck air in to the system.

Let us know what happens

[subydrift]

Turns out it is my head gaskets. It hasn't ever overheated but I popped the coolant overflow and the rad cap and the level had dropped while the overflow was almost full and it wreeked of raw fuel so somewhere it is pumping exhaust into the coolant. I've parked the car and have plans to swap the head gaskets next week. Should the head studs be replaced as well?

[ETC]

I'm going to guess drivers side rear cylinder but, I have an 00 so it's a little different.

No you don't need to get new headbolts. Yes you should have the heads surfaced and the valves checked for seepage at the valve head interface and for any guide leaks. I had an engine builder do mine just because they tend to have a better grasp of what you can "get away with" vs a straight machine shop ... not always the case as there are plenty of great automotive only machine shops out there but, that's my preference and it didn't cost any more. They should be able to bench set the valve clearances for you as well if you take them the cams.

Don't buy cheap gaskets, buy OEM or known high quality gaskets [the gasket has been improved since then]

Good luck

[subydrift]

I ordered the master re-seal kit from the dealership and it should be here tomorrow. I am going to have the heads looked at and new valve guide seals installed (since they come with the seal kit). I've been reading up on every possible thread on the internet that talks about doing the head gaskets. I'm pretty mechanically inclined so I think I can handle it. I'm going to do the clutch, t-belt, all seals, maybe the seperater plate, clean the engine bay all up, get the FW resurfaced, etc. Pretty much everything that would need to be done while the engine is out. I'll post up after and let you all know how it went! Wish me luck!