1995 Subaru Legacy Engine seized from excessive temp.

MATWEIO

MEMBER
1995 SUBARU LEGACY

Engine Cooling problem
1995 Subaru Legacy 4 cyl All Wheel Drive Automatic

Hi, hope you can help!
I own a Subaru Legacy 250T 95. Yesterday my girlfriend was driving and didnt spot the temprature gauge climbing. The car eventually siezed/nipped up, and she was forced to stop. It appears that the water pump sprung a leak and the coolant drained from the sytem causing the temprature to rise. Have just consulted a mechanic and he reckons the nipping up would have caused major damage to the soft alloy heads, and recommend I get a new/reconditioned engine. It runs fine, to the garage and back, now. Sounds and runs as before. Although not holding water.

My question is; has anyone had this problem before and got away with minor internal damage or is the engine effectivly dead? Is it worth fixing the waterpump on this engine? Or am I going to find that in one month time the engine is using lots of oil and is effectivly damaged, wasting the cash to fix the waterpump?

I like the car and dont want to just throw it away.
Any help very much appreciated.

Mat Weir

1 Reply

74XR7

MEMBER
18 POSTS

If it were me, I'd get the heads surfaced (they undoubtedly warped from heat), replace the water pump and timing belt since it'll be off anyway, and see if it lasts. I once had a Rambler straight-6 that died a similar way when the fan ate the radiator. Flattened the head, reassembled the engine, drove it that way for thousands of miles.