SomeoneWithCarTrouble Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 Finally fixed up my 86, but i can't drive it much more than 10 without the dash telling me it's getting too got. The radiator is full and and everything. Help appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skishop69 Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 Does it still have the mechanical fan? If not, is the electric fan working? Have you verified the actual temp with an infrared thermometer? In town driving or freeway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 1. you're positive the radiator is full? (it's possible to fill it up one day after doing some work - then by the next day a bunch of air bubbles have dropped the level showing in the radiator neck) 2. after running it a few times - is the amount of coolant in the system getting lower? 3. is coolant coming out of the exhaust? 4. what work was done to it? 5. are there any leaks? 6. are the fans coming on? 7. are there bubbles in the overflow tank? 8. how long did this car sit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john in KY Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 Radiators don't last forever and yours is 30 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SomeoneWithCarTrouble Posted June 21, 2016 Author Share Posted June 21, 2016 (edited) Okay, so basically, both fans work, I wired the electric one into the car so i could turn it on manually It was sitting about 10 years, but i took out the motor and cleaned it all up, replaced the heads and such I haven't used a thermometer, but i can tell it's getting hot The radiator is the original, and isn't looking great, but i don't see any leaks. I want to buy a new one but it's custom for the xt (like a lot of things) and so is very expensive, but I'll probably get one anyways. Thanks for the help???? Edited June 21, 2016 by SomeoneWithCarTrouble Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagonist Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 Is the radiator still the one from when it's been sitting 10 years? Have you had the radiator flow tested? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 pull the radiator out and put a hose in the top and see how much fows out the bottom. i think you can get XT radiators for like $120, here's one for $160: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Radiator-APDI-8011099-fits-85-91-Subaru-XT-/371504136849?fits=Year%3A1988%7CMake%3ASubaru%7CModel%3AXT%7CSubmodel%3AGL%7CEngine+-+Liter_Display%3A1.8L&hash=item567f5f4291:g:MzIAAOSw3ydVtwuQ&vxp=mtr in general Subaru water pumps don't really fail - but after 10 years of sitting i'm not sure what that would do to the water pump vanes - deteriorated/rusted? thermostat stuck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 Verify 1,2,7. Then thermostat. Radiator -- flow and fins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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