spamula

My temp gauge is not working, my heater is not blowing hot only cold, slight pressure on rad run off. Performance is fine, no excessive smoke while driving.

What could it be ??? Please help

KIPS

TRIED THE OBVIOUSE CHECKED THE WATER GOT ANTIFREEZ INIT
KIPS

rallying1

Thermostat stuck open?

spamula

just topped it up a few days ago, top hose hot bottom hose cold??? fans on all the time

KIPS

WAS IT A TOP UP OR A FILL UP COULD BE AN AIRLOCK
KIPS

spamula

temp gauge was not working prior to fill up

KIPS

Was it a fill up or top up how much water did you have to put in, have you had to fill it up since last time
kip

spamula

its a brand new import. No registration, wasn't much coolant in it when it arrived.

New oil + filter, coolant top up, temp gauge not working. Should I try a new thermostat what to do first?

KIPS

could be thermostat or just a airlock, how many litres did you have to put in to get to level, if you squeez heater pipes can you feel water in them,need to bleed the system to make sure all the air is out not sure of the best way to do on these, but someone will be along to tell you or try search
kips

RedScoob

Bleed the system properly, sounds like you have an airlock (as KIPS said).

spamula

ok but temp gauge defo not working prior to top up.

Shall I try the bleed first and refill and if that doesen't work try the thermostat?

The rad fill up points did look bit gunky. Whats the best way to bleed systemn and refill sorry I'm no expert.

KIPS

Dont think the gauge will work if not getting heated by the water around it,i normally bleed mine by running up to temp with cap off allowing air to escape,can try pumping water round by squeezing pipes (NOTE BE CARFULL OF MOVING PARTS) Can try undoing highest point hose to allow water to run through, and also heater hoses, im no expert but someone will correct me no doubt
KIPS

PS dont forget antifreez this time of year

spamula

mmmm started to bleed system. But first up I topped up with water and turned engine on, when I hit the gas pedal water shoots out the coolant enrty point (stainless steel cap) like a fountain there seems a blockage here somewhere.

Ideas?

555-Scooby

make sure your turn the interior heat onto hot the heater rad is one of the high points and gets airlocked put the car on a slight incline front of the car up the way this allows the water flow back.......

spamula

bled the system and flushed it through completely. Still no hot heater or temp gauge??????

Car seems to be driving ok but can't tell if getting hot, still some pressure on rad run off pipe???

RedScoob

When you bled the system, were the heater controls set to hot?

spamula

engine was off. Coolant system flushed and refilled when engine turned on heater set to hot!

spamula

I'm starting to think its the thermostat. Also there is a probe in the radiator return pipe from the engine top left. Why would this be there????

Does thermostat have to work properly for the temp gauge to work could it be closed, removed or perm open?????

spamula

where' s a WRC mechanic when you need one HELP!

The Rig

iTrader: (13)

as has been mentioned, if u have topped it up/bled it/filled all the way and still no hot air,maybe it is the thermostat stuck open, hence not heating up as its getting cooled by the rad from the word go, u`d have to drive a far way to heat it up.

or/and headgasket maybe gone,water leaking into engine, any steam from exhaust ?

u said water shot out the header tank,exhaust gases leaking from gasket ???

just ideas,not meaning to scare u !!!!

RedScoob

Surely if it was bled properly, the heater would put hot air out when the engine was warm unless the servo has gone for the heat control (assuming it uses one?)....
Does anyone know the proper bleed procedure for the EJ20? I'm guessing that there's a hidden bleed screw somewhere?

The Rig

iTrader: (13)

ive never adheard to any procedure as such, its an engine,same as other cars.

all i do is drain system from bottom hose when engine is warm,refit hose,then,with engine idling i just refill the system never had any issues really.

spamula

mmm about head gasket. Cars performance is a1 boost is good, car has also been restricted so less open to abuse. However there was steam coolant coming from the overflow pipe on right side coolant filler, this I assumed was the thermostat closed as bottom pipe not getting hot. Also fans were perm on, with no temp gauge causing rad to get very hot.

After I bled the system bottom pipe did get hot but still no temp gauge/hot air.
No steam/white smoke out exhaust, coolant not mixing with oil in engine water crystal clear.

Would steam be coming out of exhaust whilst driving if head had gone?

RedScoob

Until recently I would have agreed, but having just done a 306, there's definately a knack to bleeding the system in some cars. That was a bugger to get hot air to come out, even using the special bleed valve in the heater matrix and the one on the block......
Just thought that there may be a similar sequence of bleeding the water system in an Impreza.

spamula

I'm beginning to think its my head gasket. The other day when expansion tank run off was pressured the bottom right rad tube was cold suggesting thermostat was closed would this explain the pressure by rad eventually getting too hot and then discharging steam/coolant?

But if its my head why no smoke while driving, no oil/water mix / gunge and no lack of performance? Again temp gauge, heater not working.

antoine

Sounds like on your head gasket mate. Doesn't need to smoke etc for your head to be gone on Subarus. 9 times out of 10, your engine has to come out for both head gasket replacements.

x Sexiblonde x

My dad had this problem.. and yeah he had to have the engine out on countless times.. had loads of problems with it.. decided he'd had enough and bought a honda civic type-r.. he sold the scooby on to somebody else and they rang him within a week complaining about it. I don't mind scoobys but i wouldnt say they were reliable. thats just my opinion though.

EVO172

I would change the thermostat as this is the cheapest and easiest thing to do.

if its still not showing any temp then its time to take it to the garage for some exploritory diagnosis from a mechanic.

good luck

The Rig

iTrader: (13)

if it is headgasket, easy to diagnose, get urself a gas tester, the ones where u pick up the exhaust gases in the water, or pressure test it and the pots themselves.

but replace thermostat 1st, that way, u have done all the coolant side of it !

spamula

I'm taking it to a mechanic this week he should give me some more info. Thanks for everyones help.