1996 Subaru legacy spewing coolant/water from overflow, is it gasket or water pump?

Asked by rubysubi Aug 17, 2016 at 02:54 PM about the 1996 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon AWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

i just got a new radiator (old one was cracked and apparently car was
empty on coolant yet the overflow was full of fluid), car had oil, turned car
on after the radiator installment andd coolant (&water?) started spewing
like crazy out of the overflow! my mechanic seems to think its the head
gasket because its the legacy lineage of bad gaskets, yet couuld it be the
water pump instead?!
thank you!!  (ruby is at only 180,000miles:)

2 Answers
115

seuadr answered 8 years ago

I am at a loss for how a leaking head gasket would cause the coolant to overflow, but it may be possible.

Mark helpful
10

99Subaru answered 6 years ago

Happened to my Subaru, I believe it depends on where the head gasket fails. Exhaust was being pushed into my radiator. Did the overflow tank smell of exhaust or have back soot in it? My symptoms were a loss of coolant. You could visually see white residue from where the coolant had been seeping out at my hose clamps, bleeder plug and rad cap Luckily my radiator survived the encounter.

Mark helpful

Your Answer:

Related Questions

  • 1996 Subaru legacy spewing coolant/water from overflow, is it gasket or water pump? 2 Answers

    i just got a new radiator (old one was cracked and apparently car was empty on coolant yet the overflow was full of fluid), car had oil, turned car on after the radiator installment andd coolant (&w...

    1996 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon AWD

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Replacing the water pump 3 Answers

    Is it necessary to put a new timing belt when changing the water pump

    1999 Subaru Legacy 30th Anniversary Sedan AWD

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • 1996 Subaru legacy outback 2.5l 1 Answer

    I have a 1996 Subaru legacy outback that turns over but won't start. It keeps turning over for as long as i turn the key. The coil pack and fuel filter are both good so i thought for sure it was ei...

    1996 Subaru Legacy

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Is it possible for my fuel pump to airlock on a97 Subaru Legacy 3 Answers

    Possible air lock I fuel pump on a 97 Subaru legacy

    1997 Subaru Legacy GT Sedan AWD

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • 1990 Subaru legacy as awd wagon it is overheating 1 Answer

    I have a good one for you. I bought a Subaru legacy wagon for $380.00 he told us it had an over heating problem. That 2 years ago he had everything replace on it. Come to find out the water pump ...

    1990 Subaru Legacy

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

Shortcuts

Search Subaru Legacy Questions

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    TheSubaruGuruBoston
    Reputation
    2,790
  • #2
    Anthony_60
    Reputation
    1,800
  • #3
    Tom Hawkins
    Reputation
    1,510
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Subaru Impreza
18 Great Deals out of 454 listings starting at $3,999
Used Toyota Camry
51 Great Deals out of 944 listings starting at $2,212
Used Honda Accord
43 Great Deals out of 914 listings starting at $2,799
Used Honda Civic
162 Great Deals out of 3,375 listings starting at $2,230
Used Honda CR-V
92 Great Deals out of 3,817 listings starting at $1,995
Used Toyota Corolla
110 Great Deals out of 1,961 listings starting at $1,995
Used Nissan Altima
25 Great Deals out of 673 listings starting at $2,000

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.