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I'm pretty sure I've blown a head gasket ... I overheat intermittantly, the filler bottle gets overfilled from pressure ... the fluid gets a little oily, etc etc.

anything else I should check for before assuming the worst?

any tips on keeping it running for as long as possible ... my commute is only a few km a day, and I don't have the cash right now to think about getting it fixed, or even if it's worth getting fixed.

Sounds like it or a cracked head but the 25 has a bad rep for this. Was just thinking you were very quiet in the US, but looks like you are back. Bit hard to beat combustion pressure and oil pressure in this case.

What year is your Outback? the first generation Outbacks had the EJ25 Quad Cam engine and was proned to head gasket issues but the later generation Outbacks haven't had any common issues with regards to overheating.

If the gasket is leaking then it depends on how bad it is? as some products like Chemi-weld will not work if the leak is really bad. Check under your oil filter car and see if there is any watery/oil gunk. I would only use this as a very temporary measure and once fixed, I'd make sure you have the radiator cleaned out.

As for whether or not to fix it, it all depends on what the car owes you and if your willing to keep it afterwards?? I think the Outbacks are an awesome car and really don't have many issues.. but that's just me

sounds like a gasket to me. put the rad cap only part way on. no pressure will build up to blow water out. works if you dont have far to go.

That happened to me once. Was an ej25. I got an engine replacement.

DOHC EJ25 is prone to headgasket problems. Hope the engine itself is ok and just the heads that could be rooted, only way to find out is to get the heads off and buy good quality gasket not cheapies.
Cheers
AP

ya it's a '97 DOHC ej25 with 160k miles on it ... I paid $2k for it so I don't want to spend the money to get the head / head gasket done ... I haven't seen any external leaking.

I also don't have any decent tools, nor do I know the EJ engines well enough that I'd want to try and strip it down myself.

At the cost of the cars here ... I would probably be better off just dumping the current at a dealer and buy another and hope it's in better shape

mmmm..... cars are cheap over there in the US. seen a few ads in papers where some dealers have at least five Ford Taurus to choose from at $995 ea just think , a car that sold for A$45, 000 new here, inspired the AU Falcons lines ? all for less than a grand !!!