scttysctt Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 I replaced my thermostat, but my car still seems to be heating up and then not being able to cool itself. Any ideas? The new thermostat is working very well, as I went to remove it altogethor and warm water was trickling through it, so I left it in. Could it be a water pump that needs replaced? It's a salvage car but has driven fine for a year and a half, and the CEL has been on every day since I got it. In this heat (So Cal) I can't even drive 5 miles to get a computer on it to see what the errors might be. Maybe if I drive it in the middle of the night. To Kraggen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olnick Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 It looks difficult but it's not really! Look in your engine bay from over the passenger side fender--top center is the throttle body, just below it (angled slightly toward the firewall) is the idle air control valve and just under it (hidden in a jumble of wiiring and vacuum hoses) is the engine coolant temp sensor. It faces backward toward the firewall. Mine has a maroon color plastic cap/electrical connector. It's been awhile but if I remember correctly, you'll have to remove the air intake tube (MAF to TB) and some vacuum hoses to get to the sensor. If you remove the IACV it gets super easy to reach--be a good time to clean the IACV anyway! A 3/8 inch socket with a short extension and removal/replacement is a piece of cake. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnuman Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 I know I am not the first person to ask this but does anyone know an easy way to replace the Coolant Temp Censor on a 96 Legacy 2.2? If I am not mistaken it looks like it is hidden under the exhaust manifold. Does anyone know of some place online where repair diagrams can be printed? I used to be able to find that stuff for my Honda. That is actually the intake manifold, and the easiest way I know of is to pull it off. there are two temp sensors, one for the guage (single wire) and one for the ECU (two wire) and they are right next to each other, on the coolant crosover pipe. Depending on what is in the way on your engine, you may be able to get at it around the junk attached to the TB on the right side of the car. Based on my examination of my NA MY92 with a manual tranny, it is possable if you use 1/4" drive sockets, a universal joint , and an extension. Even then it wiuld not be fun, and make sure you are working on a stone cold engine when you try it. Those sensors are boxed in pretty well by the hoses going to the PCV and TPS/IAC cluster. If you are working on a turbo, then take the easy way out and pull the intake manifold. Not sure what else may be in the way on a MY96 though. Latest engine I have worked on was a MY95, and that was for an O2 sensor swap. If you want, i will be back in CA in a couple of weeks and I can pop down there and do the swap for you. I'm stuck in Boston at the moment, awaiting a new ATM card so I can get home (Lost wallet) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scttysctt Posted August 1, 2005 Author Share Posted August 1, 2005 Thanks Gnuman and Olnick. I'll try to do it tonight. I may be stupid but is there any difference between a Coolant Temp Censor and a Thermostat? I've been hearing both terms from people and assumed they are the same part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frag Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 A thermostat is a device that keeps a certain temperature constant. You have that connected to the lower rad hose on your car. The coolant temp sensor tells the ECU what the engine temperature is so it can trim fuel accordingly. With this info the ECU also activates the temp gauge ON A 96 2.2L. There is only one sensor on your model year engine. I think there are two on previous models. I dont know about turbo engines but if yours is normally aspirated, there is no need to remove the intake manifold. Just disconnect or push aside a few vac hoses and such and it's readily accessible with a 3/8 ratchet and a medium lenght extension. Only a few ounces of coolant will leak out but it could help to lower the coolant level in the rad first with a turky baster for example. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olnick Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 Sure is a difference! The Engine Coolant Temp Sensor is an electronic device that reads the temperature and sends the information to the ECU (the computer) that governs the proper running of your engine. The Thermostat is a spring loaded mechanical valve near the cars water pump that diminishes the flow of coolant so your engine will warm up properly and then opens to allow more flow to maintain optimum operating temperature. By the way, don't get confused--there are 2 temperature sensors, one for the ECU and another that connects to your dashboard temperaure guage. They're located close to each other under the Idle Air Control Valve. Good luck. ((Ooops! Thanks for the information about the number of sensors, frag. Come to think of it, I don't remember seeing a second one down there!!!)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scttysctt Posted August 1, 2005 Author Share Posted August 1, 2005 Where is the Thermostat located then? The problem is the car will run for about 3 or 4 minutes until it gets too hot and then I have to shut her down until the engine cools down again. The radiator has plenty of coolant so I know it isn't that and I have had people telling me to replace the thermostat and someone else the Coolant Temp censor. What do you think? I already bought a thermostat so I might as well replace that if I can get to it. Thanks guys, this board is awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olnick Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 It's under the water pump--find it from underneath the driver's side, front end of the car. It's inside the "elbow" connected to the lower radiator hose. Two warnings: 1) The experts say don't use anything except a genuine Subaru thermostat and 2) make sure you note the direction it points. Hate to say this, but if your car overheats that quickly you may have a more serious problem than just the thermostat. Does your coolant overflow have bits or particles in it? Does your engine oil look okay? Use the search function above and look up Setright's method for "burping" the coolant system. Then start searching under "head gaskets"--sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scttysctt Posted August 1, 2005 Author Share Posted August 1, 2005 Thanks Olnick, it's not good news, but it's news. Yeah the coolant fluid is mostly discolored with maybe a little grit in it, and I'm not sure about the oil, because it's time to change it anyway. If it's the gasket it might be time to get a new Subaru instead. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnuman Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 Thanks Olnick, it's not good news, but it's news. Yeah the coolant fluid is mostly discolored with maybe a little grit in it, and I'm not sure about the oil, because it's time to change it anyway. If it's the gasket it might be time to get a new Subaru instead. Thanks again. If you are going to dump your Subie for something as simple as a HG, drop me a note, I'll take it off your hands. What you describe sounds like a clasic vapor lock. Change the thermostat, with a genuine Subaru unit (the aftermarket ones do not work well, if at all), and fill/burp the system before making any rash decisions. Send me a PM if you want help with this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scttysctt Posted August 1, 2005 Author Share Posted August 1, 2005 I didn't use a Subaru Thermostat, but as I said it appears to be working. Gnuman, Olnick or anyone else got a theory? I kind of doubt it's the HG because the car runs like a champ otherwise and I don't see any major leaks or too much condensation in the exhaust. Any ideas will be warmly accepted. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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