Tall_Paul

Guys,
I think I have a problem with my Scoob.
Start engine, warms up. gets to normal position on the temp gauge, then pauses for about 5 mins, then continues to climb up the the top.
Heaters blow hot air after the gauge has been at the top for about 5 mins.
Top radiator pipe is red hot (not litterally, but is bl00dy hot!). Bottom pipe is stone cold.
Took out thermostat, put in pan of water with new one, boiled water, both opened at the same time and by the same amount. Put new thermostat back in. - Still same problem as above.
Flushed the system again (3rd time now) when i refilled, kept the rad cap off after filling it. After (I presume) the thermostat opened **** loads of air/steam came shooting out the top of the rad.
Put a 'combustion gas tester' on the rad cap, liquid stayed blue - I.e. no combustion gas detected.
I'm losing no water, maybe an inch on the header tank in the last month? - No more than normal!
No sign of water in the Oil, or visa versa.
I'm thinking the water pump... but some people have been telling me that one of the head gaskets have blown?
Subaru have told me they will sort it out for £2000. But won't tell me what the problem is other thatn i must have blown something?
Any ideas/help/thougths would be really appreciated.
Cheers,
Paul
P.s. Car hasn't been driven 'Sprittedly' for ages!

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

probably something you have checked but you haven't mentioned it..

does the rad fan come on?

Simon

hivis

iTrader: (1)

hi had the same prob on my sti ver 3 last year turned out to be the thermoatat not opening fully took the thermostat out run perfect after this

Tall_Paul

Cheers for the replys guys!

Yes Rad Fan comes on as normal - just before the gauge gets halfway up.

Would that still be the thermostat then?

Any other ideas? Anyone had something similar?

Many thanks,

Paul

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

if you remove the thermostat then the engine will take longer to warm up and remain in the engine wear high stage for longers.. plus damn cold in the mornings when it takes ages for the heater to work.. lol

sounds like an air lock or blockage.

Simon

scoobyboy

when the fan cuts in does it cut out again

95blackWRX

just be careful i had problem with radiator it got air lock and damaged the heater matrix so had to get new heater matrix and get whole dash out to fit it
get problem fixed before this happens to u

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

How did you flush the system, did you drain it, remove the thermostat and then put a hose pipe in the top coolant hose and let it run through for a while. Do this with the rad as well. What I did to make mine run a bit cooler was drilled a very small hole in the thermostat (cant remember the exact size think it was 1 mm). If you do this make sure the stat is clear of all swarf.

You should be able to see if the water pump is working by looking at the coolant in the header, with the engine running and the cap off you should be able to see the water moving by the surface movement.

Do you get warm/hot air when the temp is on half full on the temp gauge? If you do, could it be a faulty coolant sensor (dont know if this affects the actually temp gauge though)