View Full Version : My first "real" off road adventures...ends badly
So I was having a jolly good time in the Outback down by the river a couple hours ago. I was going through mud, sand, and water and having an overall great time. I got stuck once and buried the car up to the sideskirts in sand, but a friendly Ford Ranger driver gave me a tug from behind and freed me.
As I was deciding to leave, all hell broke loose. A small branch sticking up out of the sand looked safe enough to drive over. Only problem was, that small branch was actually a half buried small tree in the sand. The end of the tree went up into the airdam and smashed the radiator, condenser, and cooling fans up against the block and it made the power steering belt come all the way off, and shredded the other drive belt.
oops :shock:
I'm going to take pictures tonight of the damage. My only concern is fluid dripping off the front passenger side control arm mount. It looks like it's just dripping water and there's really nothing above it that could be punctured...is there? It was dripping for quite a while, though I did go through quite a bit of water.
98BG5GT
09-12-2008, 01:30 AM
It would be difficult to assess the condition of your car based on how you desrcibed the damage. Photos would be helpful. Your off road antics probably induced so much water into the engine bay and through the fender well aprons which could cause excessive dripping. Was it dripping only minutes after the Outback took a drink or hours later?
Mikey97D
09-12-2008, 08:09 AM
Sorry to read about the damage.
We're you running the air conditioning?
It was dripping about half an hour later, but I had to take my friend home (obviously in my truck at that point), so I couldn't stay with it and see what it did.
I was running the a/c. It was a hot day, but I didn't want to leave the windows down and risk getting sand and mud in the car.
Oh, and pics on the way. It was too dark last night by the time I got home to take any.
Airgne
09-12-2008, 11:00 AM
damn that sucks. hopefully dont cost to much. currently i have lost a rear bumper, bent a rim, lost a PIAA grill for fog light, and scratch the shit out of the bottom of the car while rallying. these cars are tought, but have to be careful. if your going to rallie be ready to bay. but it sounds like you might have punctured a hose or the rad.
rougeben83
09-12-2008, 11:37 AM
damn that sucks. hopefully dont cost to much. currently i have lost a rear bumper, bent a rim, lost a PIAA grill for fog light, and scratch the shit out of the bottom of the car while rallying. these cars are tought, but have to be careful. if your going to rallie be ready to bay. but it sounds like you might have punctured a hose or the rad.
"Don't race what you can't replace" is what a local stage rally guy told me. :wink:
Any kind of dirt activity is just hard on any car or truck...Helmets really help prevent you from hearing the bad stuff that's hitting your car though :grin:
The thing that sucks is that all my money is going into the Explorer right now, so the Outback is going to be down for a while. Why is it that when I have the choice between driving the Explorer or the Outback, I always choose the Explorer, but when I have to drive the Explorer, I want to drive the Outback?
Airgne
09-12-2008, 01:23 PM
The thing that sucks is that all my money is going into the Explorer right now, so the Outback is going to be down for a while. Why is it that when I have the choice between driving the Explorer or the Outback, I always choose the Explorer, but when I have to drive the Explorer, I want to drive the Outback?
cuz exploders suck!!!!!!!!
I don't know about that, since it's the same way when I'm driving the Outback. I'm too unchoosy.
2.5GT
09-12-2008, 07:53 PM
ahh shit happens. i went offroad once in awhile. and tackling those dirt/gravel corners are fun, but potholes are not...i think im gonna be going thru a 2nd set of wheel bearings. and i just put a new set in not long ago..about 10k or so :lol:
and give us some pics of the damage :eek:
J.McDonald Knives
09-12-2008, 07:55 PM
Yes we need pics.
Pics-
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/Outback_broken1-1.jpg
From the outside, looks fine
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/Outback_broken3-1.jpg
Oh...well that shouldn't be like that
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/09/Outback_broken4-1.jpg
Ouch!
J.McDonald Knives
09-14-2008, 06:22 PM
That shouldn't be too hard to fix. The bumper may not look that great with the tearing in it but it will last. Just either fix the radiator support bracket and get a new radiator and it should be good.
rougeben83
09-14-2008, 07:14 PM
skidplate ftw?
Just get a WRX/STi radiator used on NASIOC (around $100 or so), or one of those aluminum ones on ebay for the same model. BE/BH's use the same kind. Make sure you get the 03+ one with the rad cap, not the 02-03 one.
So I ratched-strapped the condensor into place and used a bunch of industrial grade zip ties to keep the radiator in place. Yes, I know, that's a super redneck fix, but it works for now. My A/C still blows cold and I'm not leaking coolant, so things are looking good. I got new belts and I'm putting them on tomorrow.
I'm going to replace the radiator soon, and I'm definitely going to get an STi unit when I do.
rougeben83
09-17-2008, 12:21 AM
So I ratched-strapped the condensor into place and used a bunch of industrial grade zip ties to keep the radiator in place. Yes, I know, that's a super redneck fix, but it works for now. My A/C still blows cold and I'm not leaking coolant, so things are looking good. I got new belts and I'm putting them on tomorrow.
I'm going to replace the radiator soon, and I'm definitely going to get an STi unit when I do.
The STi radiator isn't any different than what you have now...its just that a lot more of them end up on the used car parts forums since their owners are more apt to switch to blinging aluminum rads...
Wiscon_Mark
09-17-2008, 10:13 AM
Yeah, I agree with the skidplate idea.
So I ratched-strapped the condensor into place and used a bunch of industrial grade zip ties to keep the radiator in place. Yes, I know, that's a super redneck fix, but it works for now. My A/C still blows cold and I'm not leaking coolant, so things are looking good. I got new belts and I'm putting them on tomorrow.
I'm going to replace the radiator soon, and I'm definitely going to get an STi unit when I do.
The STi radiator isn't any different than what you have now...its just that a lot more of them end up on the used car parts forums since their owners are more apt to switch to blinging aluminum rads...
This is true, but if I get an STi radiator, I can brag about how I have an STi radiator...nobody needs to know that there isn't a difference! :lol:
Airgne
09-17-2008, 07:19 PM
So I ratched-strapped the condensor into place and used a bunch of industrial grade zip ties to keep the radiator in place. Yes, I know, that's a super redneck fix, but it works for now. My A/C still blows cold and I'm not leaking coolant, so things are looking good. I got new belts and I'm putting them on tomorrow.
I'm going to replace the radiator soon, and I'm definitely going to get an STi unit when I do.
The STi radiator isn't any different than what you have now...its just that a lot more of them end up on the used car parts forums since their owners are more apt to switch to blinging aluminum rads...
This is true, but if I get an STi radiator, I can brag about how I have an STi radiator...nobody needs to know that there isn't a difference! :lol:
hahaha!!!!!!
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