Engine overheat help

There's a lot here too. A buddy of mine has an outback now. Another nearly just bought one but it had a lot of miles and I was worried about head gasket issues. So he passed on it

 

Best of luck, Brian. There's enough hassles these days without having your car break down.

 

I hope it all works out for you, thats a big financial hit especially around Christmas time
Our shop has ran into it many times where its almost cheaper to replace with low mileage used than fix whats there, getting more of the throw away mentality with otherwise a decent vehicle

 

Sounds like head gasket. Big sign would be if you see where the overflow tank has purged everywhere. Lots of time you can’t really see it. They do make a sealer that actually works but takes a few days to do. K&W block sealer. It’s been around for a while. Sometimes it takes a couple doses depending on how bad a leak is. It’s a cheap fix if it’s works compared to the alternative.

 

I've never tried that block sealer...have heard some success stories though...usually on cars that are too nice to junk, but not worth a "proper" repair though either...

 

A used car dealer I know buys stuff with head problems and uses that instead of fixing it. Swears by it. Supposedly hasn’t failed him yet and been doing it for years. Can’t say as I’d ever buy anything from him though, typical used car salesman. I put it in my 80 horse diesel tractor because I had no interest in replacing the gasket. Been a few years now and still no problems.

 

The block sealer worked on a late 90's olds achieva with the 3.4 V6 my dad had. That car didn't even have 100k on it and the head gasket sealer worked great.

 

If it’s blowing out you need to somehow hook a hose to the overflow tank and run it out from underneath the hood to where you can easily see it. Take it for a good ride and watch it. See if it all of a sudden blows coolant out.

 

Give it a shot, got nothing to lose

 

Even better than a pressure tester as it won’t always show a combustion leak is a combustion gas test. It’s a liquid that you put in a turkey baster looking thing over the radiator cap and run it up to temp. If combustion gas is present it will change color.

 

Ive never heard of that sealer, very interesting.

 

Good thought...I have heard of that, never personally used it though...kinda forgot about it honestly...