A buddy of mine is having problems with his 86 Subaru wagon getting hot while driving up inclines. The car is not around here, so I am just looking for ideas on what the problem could be and anything else that would solve the issue. The car is well serviced. Thanks

If it generally behaves well temperature wise, I would consider a partially plugged radiator.

Yes, the way it sounds it only heats up on climbs. He was figuring that the rad might be the reason.

 

 

Anything else it might be?

 

He keeps up with the maintance and services on the car very well. It has allot of miles and still runs great, but thats a Subaru.

All sorts of other possibilities: HG, electric fan not functioning, debris in radiator fins, low colant level, retarded ignition-timing, advanced ignition-timing, lean air/fuel ratio, slipping waterpump belt, t-stat failing oddly, etc. Plugged radiator is the easiest to check: Simply check the temp of the radiator fins top-to-bottom when the car is up to temp and running. Cold regions indicate plugged tubes; they seem to plug in groups..

from my experiences, its probably a bad radiator.

My 92 Loyale does the same thing...runs abit hotter on inclines but not too bad...I am thinking clogged radiator...with 188K its expected.Also the coolant levels..I have a minor leak from around my water pump and if I dont check it regulary Bucky runs warm..didnt worry about it much over the winter but now that its warmer I check more often.

Might wanna consider this too: If it's an auto, ATF is also running through your radiator. The tranny is under strain on an incline, so it will heat up the ATF a bit more.

 

But if your car is seriously overheating, then this probably is a small factor.

 

Have it checked out though, if it's serious, you WILL blow a HG/crack a head.