Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

Recommended Posts

Hello everyone, I am writing on behalf of my fiance. She owns a 1994 Subary Legacy Wagon.

 

Before I met her, her heater core had failed, leaking coolant into her car.

 

Someone just took the heater hose and "looped" it around to bypass the heater core.

 

She added some coolant, about 1/2 a gallon into the radiator. Well, all that happened about a year ago.

 

I drove the car for the first time the other day, for 20 it drove normal temp. But then it ran up to top of high temp...she says its done it for a year, no other propblems.

 

I thought maybe a stuck thermostat? That lookos like a major effort to change. The coolant returns to the reservoir same color green as when you pour it in, so I don't suspect a blown head gasket.

 

Don't really know what to eliminate first or how......the dealer and mech's say 1,500-2,000 to replace a blown head gasket! started looking on line at used engines and engine crates, but don't really think since the coolant returning to the reservoir is so clean that the head gasket is blown...

 

any thoughts....struggling to make ends meet with 130,000 miles and one credit card left to go............;>(

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm no mechanic, but a blown head gasket shouldn't cost you that much...depending on the vehicle, it's about a 900 +/- dollar job and shouldn't take more than 5 days to complete.

 

As for your heater core, that's a real pain in the butt to fix. The part itself cost only cost about 40-50 clams, but i know for a fact that mechanics hate to replace them. They have to go behing the fire wall to get to it and that means taking apart the whole dash board. Bypassing the heater core is only a temporary solution and not a fix...it could cause problems down the road if you leave it that way. Not only that, but your car would be a bear to drive in the winter! But, not as bad as anti-freeze laden smoke pouring through the vents!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmm, i don't know...is the heater hose still "looped"? I'd fix that, then drain the system, replace the thermostat and re-fill, making sure to thoroughly "burp" the system of air pockets.

 

I'm sure someone else here will give you more ideas.

 

- Ed

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Search for overheat articles and they will give you lots of info.

 

A few things to check starting with cheapest: Check radiator cap - make sure it is okay visually. Make sure coolant is burped and no air.

 

If lower hose is much cooler than as upper hose when overheat occurs = stuck thermostat OR blown head gasket.

 

Bubbles in coolant and lots of coolant in overflow reservior call for a sniffer test - 25 bucks. If head gasket, replacing on your own is time consuming but worthwile - check other posts. If no bubbles, replacing thermostat isn't big deal - drain coolant, remove the thermostat housing at the other end of lower hose and replace it...you should also confirm that old thermostat is stuck by using a pot of water on stove.

 

Other places including radiator clog (easy to replace on your own)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi I go with the Thermostat First. Its an easy job . all you need is a large container to catch the coolant and a 10 mill socket and a extension bar just undo the two housing bolts with container below then let drain. pull gently the old thermostat with pliers.

 

I just take the old thermostat out for a few days and see if still overheats.

 

Refill and blead System with coolent.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...