Overheating, what makes a Subaru a Subaru!

[mt23]

Did you test the air in the cooling system with an exhaust gas tester? Ive seen air that mimicked head gaskets be from the coolant crossover pipe o rings. No external leak but allowing fresh air in. Worth testing for some $7 o rings

 

[Coolant Kid]

Yeah, not worth it. If the car can last another month without any more problems than it already has, then I'll be happy.

The head gasket set alone is $200, plus the cost of machining, the time to drop the engine, no way! The cost of all that is enough to buy a real car with a real engine

That's not true at all. Take a look at used car prices nowdays, they're really high for anything decent. Not that far from buying a new car.

Even if you spend $1000 on parts, it's totally worth it. Just tell yourself it's going to take about 2 weeks to do at home, watch some Youtube videos, take it slow. It can be done. I did my 2001 Legacy's head gaskets TWICE in the 16 years I owned that car, changed them at home both times.

My daily driver is a 20 year old Honda Civic and just a few months ago, I spent over $700 in parts - new lower control arms, new lower ball joints, new loaded steering knuckles, new sway bar end links. I think about how many folks spend about that on a monthly car loan payment. It's worth keeping these older cars running.