Subaru 2011 Legacy Head Gasket

Question

I have a 2011 Subaru Legacy that overheated on a 100 degree day. I stopped the car and added coolant to the overflow container and waited ( but not for long) several times on my 30 mile trip home from work. I only drove when the warning light was off, but waiting 15 minutes at a time I supposed was not enough. I had the radiator, water pump, and timing belt replaced, a coolant system flush and oil changed. The car ran fine for about 100 miles and then the warning light appeared again, This time I had the car towed to my mechanic. My mechanic had the car for two days and ran the engine for periods of time, took the car on several 20 mile trips but could not replicate the problem. Now I notice that my radiator overflow has bubbles and is overfilled. I have to wait over an hour for the car to cool down and siphon antifreeze from the overflow back into the radiator because the radiator fluid is low. No warning lights are coming on in the car but you can hear fluids moving around at times while driving. I cannot afford to have a head gasket replaced ( I already spent 2000 dollars I didn't have on the initial repairs. I have to work which is 32 miles each way from my home. There is no public transportation and I live in a rural area that is having a very hot summer. Does anyone have any suggestions? Sorry to ramble on but the situation is giving me a lot of stress!

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Chuck Tobias · Accepted Answer

Have the mechanic test for a blown head gasket. From the description though it does sound like that's the case, but test it to be sure. Not a lot of choices with a bad head gasket or gaskets (two on a boxer engine). The only proper fix is replacement and the heads need to be checked for damage as well.

As a last resort you could try the Bar's Leaks head gasket product that Scotty has talked about but that may not work at all and might well plug up your cooling system. If it does work it would be a temporary bandaid at best.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0EdjDmfu8k