January 6, 201511 yr Hello all, I have an 87 Subaru wagon gl non turbo. It started overheating and steaming and I found what looks like a drain plug mid way up the radiator. It clearly was the issue but when I tried to remove it the top just fell off. It clearly was sheared somehow or just broke. I can't find what the part name is. It doesn't make sense to be the drain for the radiator because its half way up on the left hand side, if facing the car. I've attached two pics of where it was and the severed top. Any help would be awesome on how to get the remaining piece out and what replacement I'll need. I have a Chilton and Haines and couldn't find it so far. The piece https://www.dropbox.....28.56.jpg?dl=0 The spot it goes..if you zoom in you can see the white where it attached. https://www.dropbox.....19.01.jpg?dl=0
January 6, 201511 yr Well I can't see the picture, but from the way you desctibe the location of the part it sounds like the fan control switch
January 6, 201511 yr Author I think I found it in the manual but it says AT only I'd assume that was automatic and mine is manual but that is the exact place. https://www.dropbox.com/s/g4yzmzy8ej84n0y/2015-01-06%2015.05.38.jpg?dl=0
January 6, 201511 yr Author Well I can't see the picture, but from the way you desctibe the location of the part it sounds like the fan control switch I don't even see a fan control switch listed in the diagram. I've read a few threads that sound familiar but they all just replaced it with a metal bolt
January 7, 201511 yr If you have an electric fan mounted to the radiator the thermoswitch would go there. With a new radiator it would usually come with a plug there. Do you have an electric fan? Or just the one mounted to the water pump? Should have both if your car has AC. I've removed mine off the w pump and now only rely on the electric. Mainly so I have one less thing to remove to mess with the timing belt.
January 7, 201511 yr Author I have two fans because of ac. I just have read that once I get the remainder of this plug out, I can use a metal bolt. I don't want to search all over for that plug piece.
January 7, 201511 yr Author I have two fans because of ac. I just have read that once I get the remainder of this plug out, I can use a metal bolt. I don't want to search all over for that plug piece.
January 7, 201511 yr Author Also most of this car is not new...except for what I've replaced. This was a new problem if that helps.
January 8, 201511 yr Author Yea both fans are fine. Its just this stupid plastic plug piece. It has no wires its not attached to anything, and serves no purpose I can see except plugging a hole.
January 8, 201511 yr Author This whole car feels Frankenstein... While I like that aspect, I'm learning a lot about cars through this. No one can tell if its carbureted or a fuel injected throttle body. The stovepipe I ordered won't fit the car has 2 timing belts...I just really hope the 4x4 was used very little. I love a manual with 4 high and low that is this small.
January 8, 201511 yr I know the part you mean. It is called a radiator plug, Subaru 7451 2600 Gasket 7451 28020 About $5 Dealer or wrecker. See if you can spin the broken piece out(its threaded)w/a small sharp screwdriver or similar.
January 8, 201511 yr no one can tell if it is carby or efi ?? Kapisch ?? Better post up a pic of the throttle body !
January 9, 201511 yr 87 should be SPFI. My 87 is anyway. My 86 was carby. Does it have a rectangular air cleaner in a box on the passenger side fender, with MAF, and rubber duct over to the throttle body, or an odd oval shaped air cleaner over the carb & engine?
January 9, 201511 yr Author 87 should be SPFI. My 87 is anyway. My 86 was carby. Does it have a rectangular air cleaner in a box on the passenger side fender, with MAF, and rubber duct over to the throttle body, or an odd oval shaped air cleaner over the carb & engine?Its oval shaped.
January 9, 201511 yr Take a junk flat-blade screwdriver and heat the end of it with a torch, then jam it into the broken piece. May have to reheat the screwdriver again to get it to go deep enough. Once you figure it's good, let things cool down, then just turn the broken piece out.
January 9, 201511 yr 87 should be SPFI. My 87 is anyway. My 86 was carby. Does it have a rectangular air cleaner in a box on the passenger side fender, with MAF, and rubber duct over to the throttle body, or an odd oval shaped air cleaner over the carb & engine? NO 87 4wd Fedral models are all Carbed 87 only 2wd or Cali 4wd are SPFI 88+ are all SPFI
January 10, 201511 yr Author Mine is 4x4 manual 87 it has the oval air filter non turbo but according to the auto part place the Vin comes up with fuel injected but it looks carbed to me
January 10, 201511 yr Author Mine is 4x4 manual 87 it has the oval air filter non turbo but according to the auto part place the Vin comes up with fuel injected but it looks carbed to me
January 10, 201511 yr Those 2 pictures are of a carb model. I didn't realize the switch over from carb to tb was all varied like that.
January 10, 201511 yr Author Its been a wild ride trying to figure this car out but I love it. I appreciate the info...no one has been sure so I am happy to know I need a new one and I want to find a used one clean it pull it apart and then know how.
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