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Next: 1990 HB 4cyl mt king cab
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External
Since: Dec 23, 2007
Posts: 3
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(Msg. 1) Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 9:31 pm
Post subject: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, 250 Miles)
Archived from groups: alt>autos>subaru (more info?)
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I have been occasionally and faintly smelling the delicious odor of
scalding coolant for a few days now. Then today went to pick up my
sister at the airport (150 Miles Roundtrip) Before leaving, I checked
the fluids. Oil was clean - and only oily. Coolant reservoir was
overfull and also oily. Radiator, on the other hand, was not full.
Needing to leave right away, I topped it off with water. Hard to say
how much, since it was from a garden hose, but I would guess about 2
cups of H20.
Picked her up, stopped for gas at about 100 miles. Checked the
coolant reservoir - looked the same, but I dipped a bunch of shop
towels in to collect the oil floating on the surface of the reservoir
(about 1/8 inch). Now the coolant looked scuzzy, but green on the
surface. Continued driving. About a mile from destination,
temperature needle stood straight up. I coasted into my parent's
driveway in a cloud of steam.
Looked in the reservoir - now it is entirely full to the point of
overflowing - haven't opened the radiator cap yet, but it was cool to
the touch. Water return hose (top passenger side of radiator) was
hot. Coolant still appears to be clean(ish) - no layer of oil - just
flecks that the shop towels didn't pick up.
I have a mechanic at home I trust - back home in Seattle. We are 250
miles away, and are supposed to get on a plane from Seattle the day
after Christmas - Can I safely drive it 250 miles without major
mechanical work being performed? I can probably get a rad flush on
the 24th, but probably not anything more extensive than that. Should
I send wife and daughter home on the train and wait for a Head gasket
change?
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Adam |
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External
Since: Dec 23, 2007
Posts: 3
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(Msg. 2) Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 10:56 pm
Post subject: Re: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, 250 [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Dec 23, 10:39 pm, Tony Hwang wrote:
> Roger Buttsnort wrote:
> > "Tony Hwang" wrote in message
> >
>
>
> Yup, over heating is key word here. What did I say?
> Also I said maybe....(depending how far and how fast using common sense)
> Once I drove an old car with hole in the oil pan. Keep pouring oil in, I
> drove 700 miles. Used lots of oil but made it.
I had a similar experience with an international rambler (lost the
sump pan completely, in fact) I suspect that the Subaru engine would
be substantially less tolerant. |
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External
Since: Dec 05, 2007
Posts: 8
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(Msg. 3) Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:06 pm
Post subject: Re: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, 250 [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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External
Since: Jul 01, 2003
Posts: 218
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(Msg. 4) Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 5:52 am
Post subject: Re: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, 250 [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Adam wrote:
>
> I have been occasionally and faintly smelling the delicious odor of
> scalding coolant for a few days now. Then today went to pick up my
> sister at the airport (150 Miles Roundtrip) Before leaving, I checked
> the fluids. Oil was clean - and only oily. Coolant reservoir was
> overfull and also oily. Radiator, on the other hand, was not full.
> Needing to leave right away, I topped it off with water. Hard to say
> how much, since it was from a garden hose, but I would guess about 2
> cups of H20.
>
> Picked her up, stopped for gas at about 100 miles. Checked the
> coolant reservoir - looked the same, but I dipped a bunch of shop
> towels in to collect the oil floating on the surface of the reservoir
> (about 1/8 inch). Now the coolant looked scuzzy, but green on the
> surface. Continued driving. About a mile from destination,
> temperature needle stood straight up. I coasted into my parent's
> driveway in a cloud of steam.
>
> Looked in the reservoir - now it is entirely full to the point of
> overflowing - haven't opened the radiator cap yet, but it was cool to
> the touch. Water return hose (top passenger side of radiator) was
> hot. Coolant still appears to be clean(ish) - no layer of oil - just
> flecks that the shop towels didn't pick up.
>
>
> I have a mechanic at home I trust - back home in Seattle. We are 250
> miles away, and are supposed to get on a plane from Seattle the day
> after Christmas - Can I safely drive it 250 miles without major
> mechanical work being performed? I can probably get a rad flush on
> the 24th, but probably not anything more extensive than that. Should
> I send wife and daughter home on the train and wait for a Head gasket
> change?
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Adam
Hi,
What temp. is showing on the dash? If it does not show sign of over
heating it may be OK to drive. >> Stay informed about: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, .. |
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External
Since: Aug 02, 2006
Posts: 136
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(Msg. 5) Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 6:22 am
Post subject: Re: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, 250 Miles) [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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>I have a mechanic at home I trust - back home in Seattle. We are 250
>miles away, and are supposed to get on a plane from Seattle the day
>after Christmas - Can I safely drive it 250 miles without major
>mechanical work being performed? I can probably get a rad flush on
>the 24th, but probably not anything more extensive than that. Should
>I send wife and daughter home on the train and wait for a Head gasket
>change?
>
>Any suggestions?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Adam
Go to a local U-Haul, and rent a truck and an auto trailer/carrier.
Transport your Subie home and drop it off at your mechanics shop. Get
a 4 wheel carrier if you don't want to disable the AWD. >> Stay informed about: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, .. |
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External
Since: Dec 11, 2004
Posts: 202
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(Msg. 6) Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 6:42 am
Post subject: Re: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, 250 Mi [Login to view extended thread Info.]
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External
Since: Jan 12, 2004
Posts: 227
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(Msg. 7) Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 9:54 am
Post subject: Re: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, 250 Miles) [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Hi,
I think many of us have "limped home" w/ engines that have suffered
serious damage. I know I have... but they "came apart" completely once
they got there. Damage levels ran from "install new head gasket" to
"scrap it and drop in a new long block."
I don't know what level of damage has occurred w/ your Subie, but since
you know you've been losing coolant and the gauge did "stand up
straight" already, I'd say w/ luck, you might be able to get away w/
just surfacing the heads and replacing HGs right now. However, if you go
ahead and drive it home another 250 miles, even slowly and carefully,
you're tempting fate, at unknown cost to your pocketbook.
The trailer/U-haul idea will probably save you some money in the long
run. Best of luck!
Rick >> Stay informed about: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, .. |
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External
Since: Dec 23, 2007
Posts: 3
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(Msg. 8) Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 1:48 pm
Post subject: Re: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, 250 [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Dec 24, 9:54 am, Rick Courtright wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I think many of us have "limped home" w/ engines that have suffered
> serious damage. I know I have... but they "came apart" completely once
> they got there. Damage levels ran from "install new head gasket" to
> "scrap it and drop in a new long block."
>
> I don't know what level of damage has occurred w/ your Subie, but since
> you know you've been losing coolant and the gauge did "stand up
> straight" already, I'd say w/ luck, you might be able to get away w/
> just surfacing the heads and replacing HGs right now. However, if you go
> ahead and drive it home another 250 miles, even slowly and carefully,
> you're tempting fate, at unknown cost to your pocketbook.
>
> The trailer/U-haul idea will probably save you some money in the long
> run. Best of luck!
>
> Rick
Just came back from Uhaul - had to get the 14 footer because we need
three seatbelts - this thing is going to drink down a ton of gas!
Thanks to everyone who responded. >> Stay informed about: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, .. |
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External
Since: Oct 16, 2007
Posts: 6
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(Msg. 9) Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 5:44 pm
Post subject: Re: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, 250 Miles) [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"Adam" wrote in message
On Dec 24, 9:54 am, Rick Courtright wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I think many of us have "limped home" w/ engines that have suffered
> serious damage. I know I have... but they "came apart" completely once
> they got there. Damage levels ran from "install new head gasket" to
> "scrap it and drop in a new long block."
>
> I don't know what level of damage has occurred w/ your Subie, but since
> you know you've been losing coolant and the gauge did "stand up
> straight" already, I'd say w/ luck, you might be able to get away w/
> just surfacing the heads and replacing HGs right now. However, if you go
> ahead and drive it home another 250 miles, even slowly and carefully,
> you're tempting fate, at unknown cost to your pocketbook.
>
> The trailer/U-haul idea will probably save you some money in the long
> run. Best of luck!
>
> Rick
Just came back from Uhaul - had to get the 14 footer because we need
three seatbelts - this thing is going to drink down a ton of gas!
Thanks to everyone who responded.
Very smart move. The gas you burn will be a LOT cheaper than the cost of a
longblock, labor and downtime.
Headgaskets can be done IN the vehicle (its tough on the old body).... >> Stay informed about: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, .. |
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External
Since: Nov 10, 2006
Posts: 31
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(Msg. 10) Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 8:16 pm
Post subject: Re: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, 250 Miles) [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Mon, 24 Dec 2007 00:52:01 -0500, Tony Hwang wrote
(in article ):
> Adam wrote:
>>
>> I have been occasionally and faintly smelling the delicious odor of
>> scalding coolant for a few days now. Then today went to pick up my
>> sister at the airport (150 Miles Roundtrip) Before leaving, I checked
>> the fluids. Oil was clean - and only oily. Coolant reservoir was
>> overfull and also oily. Radiator, on the other hand, was not full.
>> Needing to leave right away, I topped it off with water. Hard to say
>> how much, since it was from a garden hose, but I would guess about 2
>> cups of H20.
>>
>> Picked her up, stopped for gas at about 100 miles. Checked the
>> coolant reservoir - looked the same, but I dipped a bunch of shop
>> towels in to collect the oil floating on the surface of the reservoir
>> (about 1/8 inch). Now the coolant looked scuzzy, but green on the
>> surface. Continued driving. About a mile from destination,
>> temperature needle stood straight up. I coasted into my parent's
>> driveway in a cloud of steam.
>>
>> Looked in the reservoir - now it is entirely full to the point of
>> overflowing - haven't opened the radiator cap yet, but it was cool to
>> the touch. Water return hose (top passenger side of radiator) was
>> hot. Coolant still appears to be clean(ish) - no layer of oil - just
>> flecks that the shop towels didn't pick up.
>>
>>
>> I have a mechanic at home I trust - back home in Seattle. We are 250
>> miles away, and are supposed to get on a plane from Seattle the day
>> after Christmas - Can I safely drive it 250 miles without major
>> mechanical work being performed? I can probably get a rad flush on
>> the 24th, but probably not anything more extensive than that. Should
>> I send wife and daughter home on the train and wait for a Head gasket
>> change?
>>
>> Any suggestions?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Adam
> Hi,
> What temp. is showing on the dash? If it does not show sign of over
> heating it may be OK to drive.
He said that in addition to the oil in the coolant, the needle was straight
up and the engine produced a cloud of steam.
I agree with Roger; those symptoms are sufficient for a diagnosis.
--
John Varela
Trade NEW lamps for OLD for email. >> Stay informed about: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, .. |
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External
Since: Jan 01, 2004
Posts: 66
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(Msg. 11) Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 10:14 pm
Post subject: Re: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, 250 Miles) [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Mon, 24 Dec 2007 13:48:29 -0800 (PST), Adam
wrote:
>On Dec 24, 9:54=A0am, Rick Courtright wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I think many of us have "limped home" w/ engines that have suffered
>> serious damage. I know I have... but they "came apart" completely once
>> they got there. Damage levels ran from "install new head gasket" to
>> "scrap it and drop in a new long block."
>>
>> I don't know what level of damage has occurred w/ your Subie, but since
>> you know you've been losing coolant and the gauge did "stand up
>> straight" already, I'd say w/ luck, you might be able to get away w/
>> just surfacing the heads and replacing HGs right now. However, if you go
>> ahead and drive it home another 250 miles, even slowly and carefully,
>> you're tempting fate, at unknown cost to your pocketbook.
>>
>> The trailer/U-haul idea will probably save you some money in the long
>> run. Best of luck!
>>
>> Rick
>
>Just came back from Uhaul - had to get the 14 footer because we need
>three seatbelts - this thing is going to drink down a ton of gas!
>
>Thanks to everyone who responded.
**When I moved from MI to CT, I drove a 16-foot Penske with a full car
carrier for my Impreza. My possessions barely covered the floor of the
van but I had to get the larger van in order to haul the car. It got
about 10 miles to the gallon and I heard that that was pretty good 
kaboomie >> Stay informed about: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, .. |
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External
Since: Jun 11, 2005
Posts: 102
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(Msg. 12) Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:06 pm
Post subject: Re: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, 250 [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Dec 24, 4:48 pm, Adam wrote:
> On Dec 24, 9:54 am, Rick Courtright wrote:
>
>
>
> > Hi,
>
> > I think many of us have "limped home" w/ engines that have suffered
> > serious damage. I know I have... but they "came apart" completely once
> > they got there. Damage levels ran from "install new head gasket" to
> > "scrap it and drop in a new long block."
>
> > I don't know what level of damage has occurred w/ your Subie, but since
> > you know you've been losing coolant and the gauge did "stand up
> > straight" already, I'd say w/ luck, you might be able to get away w/
> > just surfacing the heads and replacing HGs right now. However, if you go
> > ahead and drive it home another 250 miles, even slowly and carefully,
> > you're tempting fate, at unknown cost to your pocketbook.
>
> > The trailer/U-haul idea will probably save you some money in the long
> > run. Best of luck!
>
> > Rick
>
> Just came back from Uhaul - had to get the 14 footer because we need
> three seatbelts - this thing is going to drink down a ton of gas!
>
> Thanks to everyone who responded.
10 mile/gallon=25 gallons=75Dollars +200 (?)rental i guess. good
investment considering they will charge you 2500 to change head
gasket, (at least no engine from junk yard for 1000 more.) >> Stay informed about: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, .. |
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External
Since: Jun 11, 2005
Posts: 102
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(Msg. 13) Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:11 pm
Post subject: Re: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, 250 [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Dec 28, 3:06 pm, wrote:
> On Dec 24, 4:48 pm, Adam wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Dec 24, 9:54 am, Rick Courtright wrote:
>
> > > Hi,
>
> > > I think many of us have "limped home" w/ engines that have suffered
> > > serious damage. I know I have... but they "came apart" completely once
> > > they got there. Damage levels ran from "install new head gasket" to
> > > "scrap it and drop in a new long block."
>
> > > I don't know what level of damage has occurred w/ your Subie, but since
> > > you know you've been losing coolant and the gauge did "stand up
> > > straight" already, I'd say w/ luck, you might be able to get away w/
> > > just surfacing the heads and replacing HGs right now. However, if you go
> > > ahead and drive it home another 250 miles, even slowly and carefully,
> > > you're tempting fate, at unknown cost to your pocketbook.
>
> > > The trailer/U-haul idea will probably save you some money in the long
> > > run. Best of luck!
>
> > > Rick
>
> > Just came back from Uhaul - had to get the 14 footer because we need
> > three seatbelts - this thing is going to drink down a ton of gas!
>
> > Thanks to everyone who responded.
>
> 10 mile/gallon=25 gallons=75Dollars +200 (?)rental i guess. good
> investment considering they will charge you 2500 to change head
> gasket, (at least no engine from junk yard for 1000 more.)
if you drive through snowy icy roads be extra careful because yoru car
will be pushing you out of road when you try to stop. >> Stay informed about: Help! Oil in coolant - Can I drive it home? (98 Forester, .. |
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