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muddy looking engine coolant
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:42 am
by SILINC3R
was working on the car the past 2 days, nothing in relation to the engine. i was rewiring my lights and taking wires out that i didnt need anymore. i decided i would check the coolant to see if it needed filling. when i started to loosen it it made a hissing sound. i guess that is because it was pressurized so that would be a good thing. but then when i tilted the cap brown mud oil lokking stuff driped off. what could this be and what do i need to do. i am suppossed to be down signing my name on the dotted line for Uncle Sam tomorrow but i can trisk not getting there as well as killing my car.
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:45 am
by thehookeup
check my diagnosis thread
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:49 am
by SILINC3R
i was wondering if it is the same thing but i dont have a turbo
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:54 am
by SILINC3R
Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 6:40 am
by thehookeup
the last picture is of your overflow tank right?
i think you really need to do a coolant flush. it will eliminate a lot of questions. It really does look like your head gasket is leaking externally. from what i can tell it looks like the head gasket is the graphite composite type gasket. which i have never been a fan of. they end up not holding for long. if and when you replace the Head gaskets try to find the metal shim type. do a compression test and see what you come up with.
Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 1:50 pm
by SILINC3R
yes that is correct. well it held up for 244XXX miles. also i cant do a compression test, dont have the tools
Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 3:21 pm
by 93forestpearl
Use macro mode with your camera when taking close up pics of things like that.
Flush that thing.
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:05 am
by SILINC3R
will have to use that setting next time thanks.
so in other news, the car is in the shop. 1300 dollars gets me all new gaskets (Felpro) cam seals, timing belt, head gasket, intake manifold gasket, exhaust gasket. the heads well be sent out to be inspected, mating surface will be smoothed and valves will be grinded for fittment. new sterring rack that i have will be put in as well. i think that is.
let me know what you think and if there is anything else that i need to do
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 3:43 am
by ericem
Do the rear main seal, reseal the oil pan, um, cam support o ring in the back. I think you should check out the oil pump backing place in the back of the motor to. I think it needs to be removed and resealed, or just need to make sure it is tight? Can't remember.
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 3:47 am
by SILINC3R
rear main seal you have to take the engine out correct? not sure if he is going to take it out. he will probalby cause it will make it easier for him.
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 4:28 am
by ericem
Not sure if doing the headgasket in the car is easy.
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 5:03 am
by thehookeup
ericem wrote:Do the rear main seal, reseal the oil pan, um, cam support o ring in the back. I think you should check out the oil pump backing place in the back of the motor to. I think it needs to be removed and resealed, or just need to make sure it is tight? Can't remember.
you got it.
you can do the head gaskets in the car. its a real pain in the ass. im sure he is going to pull it out. What kind of place did you take your car? dealership? subaru specializing shop? general auto repair?
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 4:22 am
by SILINC3R
kind of a general auto repair shop. it is right next to my house. he does all kind of cars. he works on old cars as well
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 2:22 pm
by ericem
maybe it is time for a turbo swap man

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 6:06 am
by SILINC3R
yea i wish but then i would need the AWD as well. im going to keep this as is and get a SS probably
Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:10 pm
by ericem
from my experience you are better off getting a ss and swaping whatever from your car. Ss is way more fun to drive. Its definitely a different feel.
For now flush your system really good i guess and add subaru coolant conditioner see what happens.
Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 7:40 am
by SILINC3R
well the car is in the shop right now. heads are off and off to the machine shop were they well be cleaned and check for cracks as well as a valve job and shaved. then new gaskets and new cam seals and new belt. having my new rack put in as well. car should be hell of a lot better when i get it back