'97 legacy gt, 2.5 overheat prob. pleas help

[lvdpb]

I have a '97 leg. gt. awd. Great car. No problems...until now. In July the temperature gauge suddenly would shoot up to hot, then in a mile or so (normal driving) it would come back to normal.

 

In September it finally totally overheated, blowing water and steam all over, wouldn't start again until cooled.

 

Now, it overheats constantly, within 5 miles.

 

- Thermostat replaced, thermostat checks out.

- Radiator fine

- no leak from water pump weep hole.

- fans operational

- new radiator cap installed

 

I am currently running it with NO thermostat at all and it does not overheat - though it does get hot when driven hard.

 

I DO NOT want this to be head gasket. There are NO other symptoms at all. Drives great, great power, truly no problems.

 

Ideas, help, anything would be truly appreciated.

lvdpb

subaru lover forever.

[rweddy]

You have the classic 2.5 Phase I HG failure. Do a search on 2.5 HG or look at this thread.

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=23082

 

Sorry to 2nd Cookie's opinion but this is a HG issue.