Subaru Repair: 1998 forester overheating, head gasket leak, head gaskets

Question
QUESTION: Hi
I have a used 1998 forester with 104K miles. It was working perfect then one day I noticed the AC was blowing warm. I looked at the temp. gage and it was near redline. Since then I can't drive 5 miles w/o the temp going near redline. The shop checked it and said there is flow and that the pressure test shows no leaks. I keep the coolant full but it still gets hot fast and sometimes the it is near redline and the overflow reservoir is still full and not even hot. I am afraid of driving it this hot but not sure what to try next.

thanks
I am worried that
ANSWER: The problem with the pressure test is it pressurizes the cooling system to the highend of the cooling system pressure tolerance.Which is 15lbs and  slightly higher.If you have a small head gasket leak it will enter the cooling system with forces of 175lbs plus.Wile the headgasket maybe able to hold 15lbs of pressurized coolant it may not be able to handle much higher combustion chamber pressure.I would start with simple things such as removing the cap for the coolant overflow bottle and smelling it if it smells like exhaust,sulfur or fuel none of these things belong in your cooling system and you most likely have blown head gaskets.Im sure that is not the solution you are looking for but its most likely the culprit.Hope that helps

Justin
All Wheel Drive Auto

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Can the head gaskets be changed without pulling the engine?
Also, is there anyway to know if it is worse than a blown gasket BEFORE I pay someone to change it and find out the problem is still there? Unfortunately I did drive it near the redline for a couple of miles.

One last thing, The car runs fine. Can it still be gasket or cracked block?

thanks
again

Answer
The engine should be pulled to do the repair as it will be a Better repair.When headgaskets blow on a subaru you get exhaust pressure and temperature into the cooling system.And in most cases it does not adversely affect the overall engine performance of the vehicle with the exception of overheaing.And there is now way to know if it is worse than a failed gasket prior to tear down.