I have oil floating on top of the coolant in the radiator. Car runs pegged in the red, now is leaking water/coolant. Is this a sign of a blown head gasket? The car has complete new complete new cooling system (water pump, hoses, radiator, timing belt, etc.even had both heads replaced which worked for a couple months) And with almost 200,000 miles is it worth replacing? I can't do the job myself yet researching the prices on the internet looks like it could be close to $2K, is there any reasonably priced and honest shops around Phoenix?
RepairPal Certified shops can diagnose and repair your 1999 Subaru Forester. They provide transparent pricing with a minimum 12-month or 12,000-mile warranty on repairs and services.
Can you tell where the leaking coolant is coming from? At this point, if the engine has been overheated, and you're seeing oil in the coolant (and possible coolant in the oil, pop the oil cap and check for a chocolate milkshake like substance) then it's likely the headgasket has failed. This could have been from a low coolant level (leak lead to overheating) or if something was amiss when the heads were replaced. Whether it's worth replacing of course depends on the overall condition of the vehicle (does it need a lot more work?) and your personal attachment to it. These can be good cars with some care and the occasional fix, each situation is unique. Try calling around to RepairPal Certified shops in your area!
http://repairpal.com/subaru-repair-in-phoenix-arizona-85099
