Ok, I'm having a couple small problems with my beloved wagon.

 

First, it runs hotter than normal. (this started after a recent romp in the woods, see Subiesport issue #2)

 

Basically, it will climb in temperature till just under the red, then drop down to near normal operating temp.

 

I assumed it needed coolant, so I added some. While burping it (car idleing, rad cap off filling it) I noticed that it continuely bubbled. It bubbled even more when I revved it. This indicates a bad head/ or head gasket, right?

 

Oil is fine, no water contamination.

 

Second problem, oil pressure on guage pegged high. (happened same time it started getting hot)

 

So... are my HG's borked?

Large air bubble in the system?

Suddenly bad oil sender?

Ok, I'm having a couple small problems with my beloved wagon.

 

First, it runs hotter than normal. (this started after a recent romp in the woods, see Subiesport issue #2)

 

Basically, it will climb in temperature till just under the red, then drop down to near normal operating temp.

 

I assumed it needed coolant, so I added some. While burping it (car idleing, rad cap off filling it) I noticed that it continuely bubbled. It bubbled even more when I revved it. This indicates a bad head/ or head gasket, right?

 

Oil is fine, no water contamination.

 

Second problem, oil pressure on guage pegged high. (happened same time it started getting hot)

 

So... are my HG's borked?

Large air bubble in the system?

Suddenly bad oil sender?

I would consider the fan a possibility, and also the t-stat. After adding coolant, is it still climbing to near-red and dropping?

 

Does the oil-pressure gauge peg if you just turn on your ignition? If so, sounds like a shorted wire, probably at the sender unit. Check the sender terminal and clean it and the wire conector.

Fan is a high flow unit controller from a switch in the dash. Its on fulltime.

 

Yes, after adding coolant it still climbs and drops.

 

I'll check the oil pressure sender.

The rising and dropping sounds too much like a thermostat. If it was caused by a blown HG, I would expect the temp to rise and stay high, or get high under load. Doesn't mean that you don't have HG issues, but that t-stat should be looked at first.

 

Also, might check if radiator fins got some mud or other material clogging it near the bottom.

I agree with Northwet there. The rising and dropping is most likely a thermostat problem. Mine had similar issues where it would go up farther than normal then drop down to where it was supposed to be. Went away with a different T-stat.

 

The whole bubbling thing is rather worrisome. What's the history of the HG's and heads on the car? Have the gaskets been done without resurfacing the heads? Been noticing any coolant in the exhaust? How much coolant does the car lose under normal driving?

get the front up in the air. I've had to burp some engines for 20 minutes to get all the air out of the heater core. those heater cores hold a lot of air bubbles

I just got a carbbed wagon, so I know nothing, keep that in mind. You also might check the PCV system hoses and make sure they are clear. Plugged can cause high oil pressure.