Overheating Subaru Legacy AWD Wagon...

External Since: Jul 01, 2003 Posts: 211

Hachiroku ãƒãƒãƒã‚¯ wrote:
> 1997 Subaru AWD wagon, "L" model, basic car. Replaced coolant and
> thermostat and ran car static for an hour at a time about 3 times. Would
> initially overheat (when I replaced the coolant), cold air coming from the
> heater, then heat started coming from the vents and the guage went down.
> As I was getting it ready to pass inspection I would run it for 40-60
> minutes, temp guage rock-steady at half way, heat from the vents, etc.
>
> On the first drive yesterday, I got about 8 miles and it began
> overheating, after running static for about 40 mins with no problems. I
> shut it down and let it cool and drove it home. Sometimes raising the revs
> causes the temp to decrease, and sometimes to increase. Sometimes coasting
> cools the car off, and sometimes raises the temp. Putting it in neutral
> has no effect; it keeps getting warmer.
>
> When I opened the bleeder screw, pure steam was coming out of it. From the
> front of the car, the right side (driver's side) appears to have coolant
> in the lower radiator hose where the thermostat is, and the upper hose
> looks empty.
>
> I don't know what size the engine is. It came from the factory with a 2.2,
> but it has been replaced, with another 2.2? I was told the trans had been
> replaced with a FWD trans, but the sticker on the trans matches the VIN
> plate, which indicates AWD. Trans works great, car runs well, except for
> the overheating. I replaced the t-stat, and the one that was in there
> looked new also. I'll have it flushed sometime this week.
>
> Anyone seen this before, or have any idea what's going on here? It looks
> like a blockage somewhere.
>
>
Hi,
Was it OK before you did the work?
Or you worked on it for overheating problem>

External Since: Jul 01, 2003 Posts: 211

hachiroku wrote:
> On Mon, 26 Nov 2007 03:10:54 +0000, Hachiroku wrote:
>
>
>>1997 Subaru AWD wagon, "L" model, basic car. Replaced coolant and
>>thermostat and ran car static for an hour at a time about 3 times. Would
>>initially overheat (when I replaced the coolant), cold air coming from the
>>heater, then heat started coming from the vents and the guage went down.
>>As I was getting it ready to pass inspection I would run it for 40-60
>>minutes, temp guage rock-steady at half way, heat from the vents, etc.
>>
>>On the first drive yesterday, I got about 8 miles and it began
>>overheating, after running static for about 40 mins with no problems. I
>>shut it down and let it cool and drove it home. Sometimes raising the revs
>>causes the temp to decrease, and sometimes to increase. Sometimes coasting
>>cools the car off, and sometimes raises the temp. Putting it in neutral
>>has no effect; it keeps getting warmer.
>>
>>When I opened the bleeder screw, pure steam was coming out of it. From the
>>front of the car, the right side (driver's side) appears to have coolant
>>in the lower radiator hose where the thermostat is, and the upper hose
>>looks empty.
>>
>>I don't know what size the engine is. It came from the factory with a 2.2,
>>but it has been replaced, with another 2.2? I was told the trans had been
>>replaced with a FWD trans, but the sticker on the trans matches the VIN
>>plate, which indicates AWD. Trans works great, car runs well, except for
>>the overheating. I replaced the t-stat, and the one that was in there
>>looked new also. I'll have it flushed sometime this week.
>>
>>Anyone seen this before, or have any idea what's going on here? It looks
>>like a blockage somewhere.
>
>
>
> From another web site:
>
> "Common symptoms:
> Overheating, often when slowing or stopped after extended high load
> driving. "
>
> Sort of, although it's not random...
>
>
> "The overheating can be seemingly random and sporadic."
>
>
> Nah, it's pretty steady!
>
> "Bubbles in coolant overflow reservoir, immediately after running."
>
> Nope...steam in the radiator!
>
> "Sludgy residue in coolant overflow tank."
>
> Hmmmm...the original coolant didn't look good when I drained it out...
> it was kinda dark...I thought perhaps there was just gunk in the motor...
>
>
> "Hydrocarbons in coolant overflow tank, this is tested by a mechanic with
> specialized equipment and is not evident visually."
>
>
> Having this looked at Wednesday...
>
> Is there any way I can check this myself?
>
Hi,
Is the fan running when temp rises?