Twood

hi i hope someone can help me out becuase im really stuck on this problem i got with my legacy. basically its over heating an dont know why or what causing it? The legacy is a 92 with same 2.0l 4cam single turbo as the impreza of same age.

Noticed the temp gauge was shooting up the other day so pulled over and turned it off, called a tow truck an got it sent to a local garage, i didnt want to risk driving it basically. Anyway the garage is not that clued up on subaru's and having trouble diagnosing the problem and wanted a 2nd opinion.

They thought the temp sensor/valve had gone so they replaced it but the problem is still there, the car over heats very quickly the temp just shoots up. Theres no sign of coolant or oil loss, no residue on the caps, not smoking or anything like that so i been told, they also flushed the cooling system and said theres no blockages in there. They now said 1 of the heads must have gone? is there any way to check this for sure before going thrugh the hassle an costs of doing that?

Please help me as i cant think why or what causing the temperature to shoot up so quickly

jonnyh

The most obvious is the thermostat. They are designed to fail safe (ie open) but the way you describe the problem it sounds like it stays closed.
It is located in a housing (2 bolts) just after the radiator bottom hose (engine side). Its easy enough to remove.

grrrr

i agree totaly sounds like the thermostat playing up. especially when you say the temp gauge shoots up straight away.

scoobymark66

Also worth checking for an air lock. I had the same problem. Drain the system and refill very slowly. Fill the rad throught the top hose boss. Fill the engine through the top hose. Fit the top hose and then top up the header tank. This cured the problem for me. Just remember to do it slowly It's free to try and might save you a huge bill to do the heads which might be ok. Good luck. Cheers. Mark.

Twood

Right the garage replaced the thermostate twice and the problem is still there, they assured me its not an air lock becuase they drained the system, flushed it an refilled it and still the temp is shooting up also theres no other warning lights have come up on the dash as if i was low on oil or anything, no error codes so i really am lost and urgently need my car back on the road

Twood

oh forgot to ask just out interest if the heads have gone as the garage claims who, where an how much would it cost to have them reconditioned/repaired? many thanks

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

if the head gaskets have gone then I believe its an engine out jobbie, not cheap im afraid.
For details on costs, give David a ring at API, very well respected geezer of all things Impreza, he could possiby advise you on anything else to look for.

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

has the gauge been confirmed as correct?

Twood

yes it has, is it possible that only one head be affected ie one side overheathing if so hows that possible? im going back to something they mentioned as a possibility?

grahamfrary

Have they thought of the water pump? or possibly a collapsed or kinked hose? Heads would usually cause either a pressurised water system and blow the water out, or suck water in, either way the water level would drop. Isn't the turbo water cooled? Could there be something there?

Graham

mal

Same thing happened with my SVX (3.3L flat 6) tried allsorts,it was the radiator .Get it flow tested by a radiator specialist like Sercks.

scoobymark66

When you next run the engine wait until it reaches normal temp and feel the rad. If it is cold then you have a circulation problem (ie the hot water is not going round the system to be cooled by the rad). When I had my air lock I refilled the system 3 or 4 times before I got it right. My local garage quoted me £500 plus parts for doing the head gaskets!!!!!
Good luck. Mark.

Peanuts

iTrader: (15)

be careful feeling the rad mind, fans would cause a nasty injury