tillothehun

Ok I have not tested anything yet and just ordered a new ECU sensor. I will try the whole dash myself if the guage looks bad. Sounds like I'll skip the coolant conditioner. Glad to find out all the info. Thanks everyone! I do think my mechanic was leaning more to just thinking it was a hard job. In the end they have been honest with me. After all it would have been at least $1000 at the dealer who also would have added I need new rotors and brakes or what ever they could make up which I think I have heard everytime I have been to the dealer nearest me.

So my next steps will be to check the radiator for flow and I am going to replace the ECU temp sensor since I already did the single blade one for the guage. My mechanic did elude to the gauage but added the gauge cluster for that model is sold as all one piece at $500 and he would charge me a $1000 to take off the dash to get to. He recommended not doing that. He used his OBCD computer and added "I am not really sure this car is overheating" and suspected the gauge also but I do not think checked resistance. So I have to go look up some specs like the the resistance on the sensor and what is the operating range of the engine. With the OBDC he said it never got over 215F, my cheap one was reading around 220F. What temp is considered the car has overheated and what is normal operating range? I thought 195F. I also plan to add some of that Subaru coolant system conditioner.

Good question, yes it seems to get hotter in hotter weather. My mechanic said it did not exhibit signs it was a head gasket....and added it's not if, it's when. The overflow tank has some "foaming", tan/grey tint. I did not think this was from the head just dirty water. I think he checked for hydrocarbons in the water and found none, said C02 was ok so I assume something to that nature was done and I am not going through fluid. I do not notice bubbles while the car is idling. The tank is opauqe white plastic. Maybe I should try a good flush? Will have to check how, not like the good old days of the Prestone flush kits I am thinking.

Mechanic thinks the pump if fine. Said I should have seen the iron impeller when I replaced thermostat. Water is flowing, don't know how hard or fast at idle. Still don't have the burp thing down but I do not think air (or that much) is in the system. Thermostat is OEM. Does the sensor in the top of the block where the water exits control the fans and/or the dash temp gauge (both)? Are there other items to replace to ensure the fans are coming on at the correct time?

1996 Lagacy LSI, "seems" to overheat at idle. The car has never "fully" overheated , never gone over 3/4 to 7/8 of the guage. Local mechanic thinks it is not really overheating. Temp never gets over 215 to 220 F. fans do kick on, cool and go off, replaced thermostat, water pump seems fine (flowing), replaced sensor at water exit on top the block. He also doesn't think it is the head gaskets though this is a known problem. Again the car doesn't seem to be really hot (temp wise), with the cap off it never boils over. So.........what is it? I am going to replace the sensor again and make sure it is OEM. Mechanic thinks it "may" be the gauge , possibly the heater box leaking but unlikely. He would like to see more symptoms before he diagnoses anything. Anybody got any ideas?

Thanks All. The engine is back together and with OEM seals in in. I had the work done at a dealer as the car was a a couple hundred miles away. We'll see how it goes.

1996 Subaru Legacy 2.5 ltr. - On my third set of a crank seal and cam cap seal after being standed in PA by it. Will never be able to have the comfort of knowing it may not happen again. The cam seal was torn....I'll blame the mechanic.......but the crank seals are "pushing out". What could be the cause? These don't appear to be OEM and a cursory look everybody is saying use OEM. Is at a Subaru dealer now so should be getting OEM. Just wanted to collect some other opinions. Have had the oil pump replaced and timimg belt. This is quite disturbing as once again I will never have the piece of mind back escpecially on long trips. hate to see my Subie go with olny 80K on it.