2004 Outback wagon needs new head gaskets

This is likely the reason...

https://www.fixya.com/cars/r29872074-vehicle_cooling_system_no_heat

..

Check code first,why you changed radiator?

putting water in a radiator will not work... water boils away quickly. You need to put antifreeze in it instead. If you are not sure how to do this ask a trusted friend or reliable mechanic

if you go to your local auto parts store they sell repair books find your then read it

If you had to bleed the radiator, it is likely your head gasket is allowing exhaust gasses into the coolant. A symptom of this is the coolant reservoir may seem like it is filling up. The other item which is simple and cheap to replace is the radiator cap. If it is leaking, it will allow too much fluid and pressure out of the system and then the coolant will boil. If it is the head gasket, the repair is expensive, usually $700 or more.

We had a 96 outback blow it's gasket just last year, the radiator shop did a compression test to determine the extent of damage, just one cylinder, est cost was $1200, We said, holy cow!! That is just the one side, we got the car back to the house here and ordered us a new engine from ebay, japanese motors or something like that, the engine went it and worked perfectly, fired right up, smoked for a second, . No problem. I scrapped out the old engine and parts for a few hundred bucks , helped pay for the new engine. We figured by the time we get the head off with the engine still in the car, which is close to impossible, if not impossible, it's hard to change the spark plug let alone the head. then put it back together, with the new head bolts that they recommend, they cost $100, And we didn't know what was going to blow next, so we went for the engine. The engine was $900. No trips to the parts store, the only thing that didn't fit was the ac compressor, but that didn't matter, the car is living in Oregon right now and ac is the farthest thing from their minds. Hope this helps.

i had the same problem with my 1996 subaru legacy grand wagon,which is identical to yours.it had a cracked head,the gasket was fine.not cheap to get done but id get it done now before more serious damage is done.

It is, to be honest, most likely that the head gasket is shot if you can see bubbles and she's drinking coolant.

Two possiblities; a blown head gasket, or a freeze plug leaking. If possible take it to a trusted shop and have the pressure checked on the radiator, they can tell you if your radiator is stopped up, or the freeze plug is leaking, and if it's blowing back in the radiator when you remove the cap then it's a blown head gasket.

head gasket most likely.