952.2LX Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Ok, so the overflow tank is filling up on my 1995 Impreza. I've had no overheating problems. The guage is always on normal. The car does warm up pretty quick. I thought well the thermostat is stuck and therefore radiator is overheating and filling up the overflow tank? So, I put in a new thermostat filled the radiator there was fluid in the top hose as well as bottom, so i presume its flowing through the engine? I fill the overflow tank to appropriate level and drive. I have good heat in the car, temp guage is normal. After a week the overflow tank is full?? What is happening? Too much fluid? When I check the radiator I cannot see any fluid??? Is the radiator clogged?? I don't think so because when I filled it the lower hose had fluid in it. I could hear it gurgle down the coolant? Water pump isn't making any sounds, there isn't any leaking anywhere?? Is the temp sensor bad??? god I hate to replace that its such a bugger to get to. In addition, anyone have a throttle position sensor for a 2.2 engine? and I'm looking for a T-connector from the air intake and block to the pcv valve?? Cannot find one anywhere?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 I have the same thing happening in my RS. I guess it's has something to do with the headgaskets. But also check the radiator cap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
952.2LX Posted January 22, 2009 Author Share Posted January 22, 2009 (edited) Oh, theres no coolant in the oil or vice versa? so, wouldn't that show up if a hg is gone? I dunno. It still drives good, has power and everything...just weird... of course it does have 250xxx miles on it...lol. any help on all three issues would be most apprecitated. Ok, after searching the forum. I'll do the check for bubbles in the overflow tank after a good warm up by idleing it up to around 2500 rpm. Also i'll get a new radiator cap. Edited January 22, 2009 by 952.2LX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Oh, theres no coolant in the oil or vice versa? so, wouldn't that show up if a hg is gone? nah, that's a very generic and inaccurate idea that is often passed around. it's limited and doesn't apply to all vehicles, engines, failures, and situations. it's especially not true at all of Subaru's. they more often than not have head gasket failures without any oil/coolant mixing. i'd start with the radiator cap. make sure your hoses aren't collapsing under load. doubt that's the problem though. not sure if you're planning on keeping this thing much longer but if the cap doesn't work and you begin to suspect something more ominous then i might even suggest some stop leak. i don't normally do that, but just depends how long you want to keep the car, what kind of driving you do, and all sorts of other logistics. doubt this is the case, but the thermostat should be a Subaru item. aftermarkets are insanely cheesy and whimpy. that it had this problem before and the same exact problem after though seems to suggest not to waste any more time on the thermostat. good luck, let's hope for the cheap radiator cap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnW Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Id put money on at either Bratman or yours being the radiator cap if not both. The new ones are doing it under warranty on a regular basis. I can't believe I am saying this but I would buy a lifetime warranty aftermarket cap. I dont say that very often about genuine Subaru parts they are usually a good buy. You could have your caps tested at the dealer for a few bucks but it would probably be a better investment to just buy a new one and hope for the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screwbaru2 Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 I'd try the cap also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Try the cap first. It's cheap enough and probably need one anyway. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
952.2LX Posted January 22, 2009 Author Share Posted January 22, 2009 will do the cap, i'm gonna go ahead and change the hose's also. I do plan on keeping the car....its just been SOOOOO reliable i can't give it up. Now that i think about it, i remember a little coolant on the bottom hose..... I was thinking it was from the overflow tank spraying out when driving but, maybe there's a little leak in that hose. So, anyone have a working throttle position sensor also??? the computer is calling it out. and that 3 different sized plastic T for the pcv valve??? anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebugs Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 If noone else chimes in about a TPS I have several on 97 2.2's, some on 2.5's. I'd imagine the ones off the 97 2.2's would be the same. I'm leaving now but could pull it tonight. PM me if interested. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Yeah I tried a cap off of another car and it still did the same thing. And the cap that I tried still works fine on the car that I tried it from! So I'm guessing mine is all head gaskets:-\ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Yeah I tried a cap off of another car and it still did the same thing. And the cap that I tried still works fine on the car that I tried it from! So I'm guessing mine is all head gaskets:-\ I just replaced HGs in a 97 Leg Outback w/2.5. Id had the excact same symptoms. Eventually you will run low on coolant, your heater core and the top parts of the engine get a big *air* pocket in there, you get no heat out the vents, while the motor pegs the temps gauge into the red. Good news is the 2.2 is SOOOOOOO easy to work on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crash321 Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 No one has mentioned this but check the rubber hose that goes into the overflow bottle and make sure the hose is not ruptured. Think of a straw you get at mcdonalds and you accidently bent it while trying to get the sob out of the wrapper. You put it in your drink and as you suck you get alot of air and not much pop (er soda to some). This is something that could happen so check it along with replacing the rad cap. Then go to worst case senerio................Or you could have a carbon test done on your coolant......that would tell you right off the bat that your hg is bad. Just a thought:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 No one has mentioned this but check the rubber hose that goes into the overflow bottle and make sure the hose is not ruptured. Think of a straw you get at mcdonalds and you accidently bent it while trying to get the sob out of the wrapper. You put it in your drink and as you suck you get alot of air and not much pop (er soda to some). This is something that could happen so check it along with replacing the rad cap. I don't see how this would cause the overflow to fill up? are you saying coolant is being pushed out, and then air is being sucked in when the engine cools down? Interesting theory, but I'm going to say no because I've run EJ radiators without any overflow tank at all, and they ussualy find a good level. ................Or you could have a carbon test done on your coolant......that would tell you right off the bat that your hg is bad. Just a thought:) This is iffy. Based on a parts per million calculation, and as often as not, is inconclusive on Subarus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 I just replaced HGs in a 97 Leg Outback w/2.5. Id had the excact same symptoms. Eventually you will run low on coolant, your heater core and the top parts of the engine get a big *air* pocket in there, you get no heat out the vents, while the motor pegs the temps gauge into the red. Good news is the 2.2 is SOOOOOOO easy to work on. Yeah I religiously check and fill my coolant!! I don't let it get low enough for that to happen! But I will definitely be doing something to fix it when I have more money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
952.2LX Posted January 22, 2009 Author Share Posted January 22, 2009 Yea i got a new cap and i'm gonna replace the hose's tomorrow. seeing as I don't have to work:banana:! Hopefully this will solve my problem...if not...sheesh I'll be searching for help with replacing the HG's. I'm also gonna rebuild the ps pump and hopefully stop it from crappin all over my engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rverdoold Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 I have the same problem. And for sure my HG is blown, where i dont know and i also have no oil residuals in my coolant. So the HG is leaking probably very lightly. I fixed my leaking radiator by using a special polymer on the plastic part which was leaking and since i forced the system to run presureless. I put a copper rod under the radiator cap now the expansion fluctuates into the overflow tank. Currently i am driving over 10k miles like this without any problems in hot and cold weather. Currently driving 500 miles a week on interstate like roads and no problems. Looking for an other car in meanwhile because parts are hart to get and expansive, plus a mechanic is even harder to find since subaru is more or of rare car brand here. I wish i could replace my HG sometime. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
952.2LX Posted January 23, 2009 Author Share Posted January 23, 2009 Update: I got the hoses changed and whilst doing it went ahead and cleaned areas of grim around the bottom of the engine front and driver side valve covers,inspecting to see where my oil leaks are coming from...I notice a green drip mark right below the WP seal..... I cleaned it off and go drive for awhile and re-inspect...I see another little drip mark, same spot. I believe its the water pump seal leaking. So hopefully its just the water pump needing replaced. Ane while I'm in there I'll do the timing belt also. CobCob you still around??? Wanna have some more wrench turning fun? I haven't forgot about oweing you exhaust gaskets. I kinda wanna wait until its warmer though...brrrrr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tylerstrainer Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Hello, I am new to the Forum's and realize this is an old thread, but I am having this Issue on an 04 Impreza Outback Sport with only 45,000 miles. The HG can't go bad that early can they? Same overall issue, I am going to replace the fluid (which is dirty), and maybe try the cap, idk? P.S. - Have any of you tried to register lately, The two words conformation is impossible, 5 tries, lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Definitely try those things first, but an answer to your question is, yes they can go bad that early! Damn 2.5's! Good luck, hopefully the cap and flush fixes your problem! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebugs Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Hello, I am new to the Forum's and realize this is an old thread, but I am having this Issue on an 04 Impreza Outback Sport with only 45,000 miles. The HG can't go bad that early can they? I have limited knowledge of the newer (since 2000) SOHC 2.5's What you are describing is classic 2.5 DOHC Hg issue, But the SOHC's seem to leak externally normally and thus don't have hths problem. Perhaps you'll get lucky with just a cap or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
952.2LX Posted February 19, 2009 Author Share Posted February 19, 2009 Update: gonna replace water pump, timing belt and pulleys, and oil pump seal and reseat, cam seals. Need new Timing belt covers. So its running fine now. I 'm just keeping an eye on it until i can get some covers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subarudean Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 My 2000 outback w 197 k has been pushing coolant into the overflow. It does this on a monthly basis .the car will then overheat because it is lost coolant out of the radiator Compression test is fine at 180 Radiator cap has been replaced with Subaru oem. I don't see coolant leaking anywhere besides around the overflow. All clamps and hoses are tight Do you think it's head gasket? Brown droplets in the overflow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt167 Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 yea, esp if its an ej25d still Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 @ subarudean - yes, that describes typical headgasket failure. It usually slowly gets worse. More overheats accelerates it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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