Subaru Repair: Subaru Outback Overheating, Subaru Expert, Subaru Head gasket problems

Question
2001 Outback.  113,000 miles.

Noticed the coolant temp gage starting to spike several times this morning during drive to work.  It would begin to overheat, then drop back down to normal operating temp for a couple of minutes before beginning to spike again.  Happened several times, pretty much independent of driving speed.  I turned on the vent up high on full heat, and although that would help at times, eventually the temp would rise up to and into the red zone.  I pulled over and stopped the engine a few times when this would happen.  I figured the thermostat was getting stuck, although I replaced it just 8000 miles ago.  The fan seemed to be working at times.

No water in oil.  Coolant looks normal.

Relevent(?) background - AT has had a nasty hesitation when first being put into drive.  The hesitation has been around for like 50,000 miles and slowly has gotten worse.

Limped it to a mechanic.  As for the transmission, they topped off the fluid and suggested not flushing it for fear of it leaking after the flush.  As for the overheating, he said the fan relay may not be working properly.  Recommended taking car to an electrical service center.  

If the fan relay needs replacing, is this something I can do myself?  Do you think that will solve the overheating problem?  Overheating would occur even at higher speeds, so wouldn't that force enough air through the radiator even if the fan was working?

Thanks for your help!

Answer
Ron,

You most likely have blown head gaskets.  Most Technicians are clueless to figuring this out on a Subaru unless they are familiar with them.  Smell the  coolant overflow bottle, it will smell like exhaust also look in the coolant overflow bottle for an oily residue.

The gasket typically fails in between the cylinder and the coolant passage so you wont see water in the oil.

The transmission hesitation is common for the 2001.

I cant speak to the coolant fan relay but that is not common on a 2001 Subaru at all.  And it would overheat mostly around town and not at free way speeds.

Look on my Website for tips on how to spot head gasket problems and read posts from other Subaru owners who have had similar symptoms.

Justin
http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/