97 outback 2.5 overheating

[crshbandit]

I know I am probably screwed because this is going to end up being a blown HG just from reading all the problems on here that ppl have with these cars. After I drive the my outback on the freeway for only 10 miles or so and then pull off onto a sidestreet, the temp. gauge shoots up and it starts overheating. If I only drive on the side streets, it never seems to over heat. I replaced the thermostat with a Subaru OEM part and also replaced the fluid. Both fans are coming on and seem to be working fine. I don't notice anything leaking. I do smell antifreeze when it overheats. I have notice that there are bubbles coming up from the overflow hose in the overflow tank when the car is running. I guess I should assume my HG is screwed and I am also. The temp. outside right now is in the low 30s so I am surprised it is overheating. What should I check first ? I really can't afford 1300 bucks to get a head gasket done !

[AWDFTW]

Hate to say it, but those are classic signs of an internal HG failure.

[grossgary]

The DOHC EJ25's aren't typically predictable - meaning that it never does it on the side streets is odd.

But everything else you said sounds like headgasket. Nice job troubleshooting the fans and thermostat first.

Make sure the system is full and there's no trapped air - burp the cooling system.
If it overheats and you get no heat out of your interior cabin (it'll be hot for a minute or two), then that also suggests headgaskets.

An EJ22 swap is a better solution. Often you can buy an EJ22 for as much as you can sell that Ej25 engine for - so you only have engine installation costs - $500 or so. I just did this for a friend - $350 for an EJ22, and I didn't buy the cheapest one I could find, I went for lower mileage - I'm sure I'll get that for his old EJ25 which I'm getting back friday. So he's only out installation costs.

[crshbandit]

Amazing, everywhere I search for information on this engine, it talks about head gasket failures. Wish I would have searched before I bought this thing! I have never seen anything like this on any toyota. Should have stuck with old reliable.

[punt speedchunk]

I think what you're seeing is on the web is info about the 2.5 sohc. HG failures in the Dohc motors are very rare, certainly on par with non-subaru engines.

Bubbles in the overflow tank is almost surely a sign of combustion gases getting into the cooling system, which indicates an internal failure. Cylinder pressure in the water jacket can hold the thermostat closed, I've seen it happen. Try pulling the themostat and see if your situation improves.

If you had the SOHC motor, I would suggest spending the winter reading up on engine removal and HG replacement, it's really not out of the reach of most people with basic skills. Sadly, the DOHC motor is another kettle of fish. Maybe you could pull the engine and do the HGs yourself and hire someone to help time the cams once you're ready to reinstall. I'll help if you're anywhere near NE PA.

[punt speedchunk]

If you do attempt an EJ22 swap, there can be issues with compatibility across model years. There's a vacuum solenoid on the passenger side inner fender that differs year to year, and you wind up with the wrong number of vacuum lines. Screws up the idle quality, if memory serves, which it (memory) probably doesn't because I can't remember how I fixed it.

[grossgary]

Originally Posted by crshbandit

Amazing, everywhere I search for information on this engine, it talks about head gasket failures. Wish I would have searched before I bought this thing! I have never seen anything like this on any toyota. Should have stuck with old reliable.

*** Take note and I'll help you purchase wisely - every manufacturer has issues - Toyota is not immune. If you randomly buy Toyota's you will eventually have a bad headgasket too, they even had a headgasket recall from 1988-1995...and newer 2000+ Toyotas have had headgasket issues, just google it, there's more info available than I know about.

To be a smart used auto purchaser you don't want to make anecdotal, uninformed assumptions like "toyota is better than subaru". See the big picture so you can purchase wisely. What you want to do is find Toyota's best engines/trans or Subaru's best engines/transmissions. Google and forums like this make it really easy even for people not well versed in auto's.

You want to research the exact year, model, engine, and trans. It's easier with Subaru's since they're smaller and have fewer options, fewer variables.

[crshbandit]

What is the most reliable test to do on an engine to diagnose a hg problem? So far we have done a compression check, ( is this the same as a leak down test?), exhaust gas test. All come back neg. But when I drive the car over 45 mph the gauge creeps up and it starts overheating. I just had the water pump replaced because it was shot. The car also has a new radiator.

[dianer]

The two clues on my 97 when the headgasket blew were a CE light with a code indicating a misfire on cylinder 2 and the smell of roasted marshmallows. It cost me way more than $1300 to have it fixed!

[Shadow 1100]

Did you bleed the radiator, to get rid of the air bubbles?