lvdpb Posted October 15, 2004 Share Posted October 15, 2004 I have a '97 leg. gt. awd. Great car. No problems...until now. In July the temperature gauge suddenly would shoot up to hot, then in a mile or so (normal driving) it would come back to normal. In September it finally totally overheated, blowing water and steam all over, wouldn't start again until cooled. Now, it overheats constantly, within 5 miles. - Thermostat replaced, thermostat checks out. - Radiator fine - no leak from water pump weep hole. - fans operational - new radiator cap installed I am currently running it with NO thermostat at all and it does not overheat - though it does get hot when driven hard. I DO NOT want this to be head gasket. There are NO other symptoms at all. Drives great, great power, truly no problems. Ideas, help, anything would be truly appreciated. lvdpb subaru lover forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted October 15, 2004 Share Posted October 15, 2004 but it really sounds like a head gasket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlierh2 Posted October 15, 2004 Share Posted October 15, 2004 get the coolant tested. i think they test for hydrocarbons?? anyway exaust or oil in the coolant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted October 15, 2004 Share Posted October 15, 2004 The early symptoms are pure Headgasket :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted October 15, 2004 Share Posted October 15, 2004 when the gaskets are pretty well shot. You cannot rely on them with a Subaru. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenner55 Posted October 15, 2004 Share Posted October 15, 2004 Had the exact same problem with a 98 GT (134K), it was the head gaskets. Car was fixed by the dealer for $1200 and seems to be fine except for poor resting idle speed which is tied to the idle control valve. If you keep driving it you risk damaging the heads which will be VERY expensive. See previous post today about overheating and welcome to the unofficial 2.5DOHC head gasket club. Glenn I have a '97 leg. gt. awd. Great car. No problems...until now. In July the temperature gauge suddenly would shoot up to hot, then in a mile or so (normal driving) it would come back to normal. In September it finally totally overheated, blowing water and steam all over, wouldn't start again until cooled. Now, it overheats constantly, within 5 miles. - Thermostat replaced, thermostat checks out. - Radiator fine - no leak from water pump weep hole. - fans operational - new radiator cap installed I am currently running it with NO thermostat at all and it does not overheat - though it does get hot when driven hard. I DO NOT want this to be head gasket. There are NO other symptoms at all. Drives great, great power, truly no problems. Ideas, help, anything would be truly appreciated. lvdpb subaru lover forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAWalker Posted October 15, 2004 Share Posted October 15, 2004 Yes you have bad head gaskets. Now that you have driven while it was overheating:-\ , then till it seized up, (wouldn't start till it cooled down:-\ ), continued to drive it and alow it to overheat agin and agin................ I wouldn't advise spending your money to fix that engine. You should figure on replacing the engine due to the extra bearing wear and probable scuffing of the pistons cause by extreme and repeted over heating. Hate to be the bearer of bad news......................But for future referance when the gages in your car say somthing is wrong, stop driving the car till you can determine what the problem is and fix it before more damage is done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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