Defrost Died

[tcspeer]

Then wait until it gets cool and squeze the two big hoses and see if you can get the trapped air out. If you will search the past posts their is some other suggestions on how to untrap the air. I really think this is your problem.

I did that forever. It won't take anymore water. For a while it was slowly going down and I kept pouring water in it. I did this for probably 15 mins and now it won't take anymore water. I put almost a gallon and a half in it and it takes just shy of 2 gallons (7.3 quarts I think) and I know that 2 gallons did not drain out of it yesterday.

[michaelbteam]

WOW, what alot of work. I know if I put that much time and aggravation into a job I'll put a new part in, I've been fooled before. When my son's heater core went out on his Taurus, we just bypassed it and he drove all winter with the windows down and his goose down parka zipped up tight! Good luck to you.

[kimokalihi]

Well, at this point in time I can't afford a new part. I went online and autozone wanted 350 bucks for it. That's outrageous! I can't believe that's real but even if it was 80 bucks like the other guy said from schmuck's, that's still too much. I have a truck I can drive and if I have to, another subaru AWD wagon. Same year too lol.

 

I turned the defrost on for probably 15 mins or more and it didn't fog up like it was before. It didn't get warm but it didn't fog the windows up either. I'm not too worried about it.

 

If I had to, I'd rock a snowboard jacket and my boarding beanie with the earflaps! I love that hat. Hell, I'd drive up to the mountain like that with the windows cracked! I'd just have to get those plastic rain deflector things that go above the window so no snow or rain will get me wet.

 

Even though it was frustrating and a lot of work, it went back together twice as fast as it came apart. And much easier too. I'm sure once I get this job as a dealer at the casino and have income again, It won't be nearly as hard to do it again. I know where everything goes now and how it all comes apart and goes back together. It was a learning experience.

 

Thanks for the help!

[Downbound]

90 Legacy Wagon AWD 4EAT

 

A couple days ago I hopped into my problem free subaru and started it up. It was night time so it was cold out and I turned on the defrost. Started driving and the windows got a lot more foggier. I could smell antifreeze as well. I didn't think much of it at first.

 

This morning I warmed the car up for nearly 10 minutes and got in and couldn't hardly see a thing. At the bottom of my windshield there's little patches of clear glass and the rest is extremely foggy.

 

I don't understand. It's blowing hot air. Not extremely hot but pretty warm. At that point I was a little more concerned. I had no choice but to drive it like it was to my card dealing class at the casino 20 miles from here. It took about 30-35 mins to defrost the winshield, including the 10 mins idling in the driveway. The side windows never got clear. The rear hatch window was clear to begin with but I noticed it was foggy upon my arrival at the casino.

 

There's two things I can think of:

 

1. The windshield is cracked towards the bottom all the way across. This has never leaked as far as I can tell and I've never had this problem before. (so I doubt that's the problem).

 

2. Since I can smell antifreeze maybe there's a leak or something in the heater core causing moisture inside the car?

 

That's all I can come up with. Any other ideas or suggestions to fix this problem? Someone must have had this happen to them before.

 

Had a similar problem with windows fogging up and found that the air intake switch was in the cabin position instead of outside air position..could it be as simple as that?

[jon38iowa]

WOW, what alot of work. I know if I put that much time and aggravation into a job I'll put a new part in, I've been fooled before. When my son's heater core went out on his Taurus, we just bypassed it and he drove all winter with the windows down and his goose down parka zipped up tight! Good luck to you.

Lol, you definately don't live in Iowa.

[kimokalihi]

Washington has very mild winters and summers. Well basically mild all year round, if you can stand the rain.

 

It can't be the recirculation switch because my car doesn't have one. You just press what vents you want and it chooses for you whether to bring in fresh air or recirculate.

[nipper]

Washington has very mild winters and summers. Well basically mild all year round, if you can stand the rain.

 

It can't be the recirculation switch because my car doesn't have one. You just press what vents you want and it chooses for you whether to bring in fresh air or recirculate.

 

ive never seen that, a stupid question, do you have AC?

 

nipper

[johnceggleston]

check on line or a marine supply outfit and get a 12v hairdryer. just don't over heat the glassin one spot, it can crack.

[tcspeer]

Did you find out why the heater is not getting hot? I was wondering if maybe the little thing that hooks to the heater box was reconnected. The one that allows the hot water to flow through the unit.

[kimokalihi]

You've never seen what?

 

It's got AC but it doesn't work.

[xoomer]

I don't buy anything at schmuck's. I hate that place. Last time I called up there and asked them if they had bosch plug wires and the guy on the phone said they only make spark plugs and O2 sensors. I won't be calling there again. Those guys are morons and they don't know anything.

 

 

Watch it there buddy.... I Am NOT an MORON, I own a Subaru..

[kimokalihi]

lol I guess that's just been my experience with that place. Although I've heard nothing bad but stories from everyone else as well who's dealt with that store.

 

Just because you own a subaru doesn't mean anything.

[tcspeer]

I asked above but other posted and you may not have seen, but I was wondering if you found out why the heater was not blowing hot. I thought maybe you might have left the wire cable deal off that hooks to the unit and if operated by the slide lever on the dash.

lol I guess that's just been my experience with that place. Although I've heard nothing bad but stories from everyone else as well who's dealt with that store.

 

Just because you own a subaru doesn't mean anything.

[kimokalihi]

The wire that goes from the controls to the heater unit under the glovebox? Yeah I hooked that up. I was busy yesterday so I didn't work on the car at all but I'm heading outside to see if I can get any more air out of the system right now.

 

Thanks

[tcspeer]

Yes that is the one, except mine is closer to the center of the car. I would have someone move the lever while you look at it and see if it is moving. Worth a chance if you are out of ideals.

The wire that goes from the controls to the heater unit under the glovebox? Yeah I hooked that up. I was busy yesterday so I didn't work on the car at all but I'm heading outside to see if I can get any more air out of the system right now.

 

Thanks

[kimokalihi]

You can see it moving. And you can hear it moving the doors inside the heater unit. I think it's just got air in the system. I just checked it after it sat for a day and it's low so I put some more water in it. I've never had so much difficulty getting the air out of a vehicle before. Probably because I removed the heater core and it was drained out when I put it back in.

 

I'm gonna go search for methods of getting the air out. Thanks.

[kimokalihi]

OK, So I hate my life now.

 

This is one time that I hope that I am wrong.

 

You must have been right.

 

I tested the heater core with about 10psi. Maybe a little more. It was full of water and didn't leak a drop. Then I put it back in the car and hooked up the heater controls and all that mess and ran the car and the engine got too warm so I shut it off. It had air pockets in it. I went through the process of getting all the air out and then let it sit for a day and then did it again today.

 

Everything seemed great, it was putting out nice warm air and the engine was staying at operating temp. So I turned the engine off and bolted the rest of the stuff up. I turned it back on when I was done and decided to turn the defrost on one last time just to make sure. Green mist came billowing out of the defrost vents and pretty much filled the car with a wet fog. Smelled just like the new antifreeze/water mix I just put in.

 

I think I understand though. Before when the car was running and I had the defrost on and things were good, I also had the radiator cap off. So now that the cap is on and the engine is hot, the pressure built up and the metal expanded from the heat of the coolant and the core is leaking MUCH worse than before. Before it was just a smell and it would create foggy windows instead of defogging them. Now it does the same thing but there's a visible mist now that fills the whole car.

 

I have a 5spd 90 legacy wagon AWD as well and I think maybe I'll swap the tires(fairly new)off this car onto the 5spd and drive that for a while, until I can get some money to buy a new heater core(new not used, screw that). The 5spd isn't as reliable. I've only had it a couple months and I drove it about 50 miles maybe. It has a noise present in the tranny. A growling sort of noise. When you put the clutch in, it goes away. It's there in every gear, including neutral. Plus the engine doesn't run as good. It seems to run fine when you're driving it but when you start it up it will die if you don't give it gas. That's only the first time you start it, after that it's ok but doesn't run as smoothly as my other legacy. Plus the right rear door does not unlock period. The right front door only opens if you hold the lock in while pulling the handle open from the inside. And the power window controls for the driver door are all messed up. The drivers door is fine but you can only roll the rear driverside window down, not back up.

 

This sucks.

 

Oh yeah, I also have an 89 toyota pickup. I can drive that thing but it's scary to drive. It was in an accident which either bent the frame(so les schwab claims but a body shop told me it's not bent)and they said they did the alignment as best they could. But it still pulls really bad to the left and it looks like it's because the left wheel is pointed to the left while the right wheel is straight and the camber is all tilted on that wheel as well. When it's wet out and you take a corner to the left too sharp the truck goes straight because the wheels are not pointed the same direction and you can hear the left one sliding sideways. This vehicle either has air pockets in it as well or the heater core is clogged because I get no heat and the engine runs sort of hot. Not that hot but hotter than it used to.

 

The gas guage does not work in the truck. I live on the tallest hill around here. It's over 3/4 of a mile up and it's pretty steep. I've run out of gas in the same spot halfway up the hill 3 or 4 times now in that truck. One of the bolts that holds the left control arm is stripped out and only screwed in about halfway and won't go any further so the control arm is loose and you can hear it rattle when you hit bumps.

 

Autozone - $355 (not in stock)

Schucks - $313 (can't get it, for some reason?)

 

Anywhere else that might have one cheaper? That's really high, it's just a stupid miniture radiator basically.

[ericem]

Eek!! to bad all that work and it broke worse. you check possibly? Subaru? or https://www.1stsubaruparts.com/partscat.html saw it for $190.

 

Hope you have better luck after this repair, seems messy.

[tcspeer]

I dont know why those places are so high, I bought a new one from Lithia Subaru for much less, give them a call toll free at 866-717-2512, I get my parts in two days from them and I live in Tx. They are in Oregon.

[kimokalihi]

I will give them a call for sure! Thanks. I live in washington so it should be quicker.

 

I also just saw that heater core on 1stsubaruparts a few minutes ago while I was searching.

[tcspeer]

Lithia Subaru has new factory ones in stock for 198.00 dollars and some change I think they said 198.88. This is the price for one for your 90 Legacy wagon.

I will give them a call for sure! Thanks. I live in washington so it should be quicker.

 

I also just saw that heater core on 1stsubaruparts a few minutes ago while I was searching.

[kimokalihi]

Thanks, I saved there number so I can call them when I decide to get it.

[kimokalihi]

I called up Lithia Subaru and they did not have it in stock but they are ordering it and it will be shipped on monday and she said it could take one day but it won't take more than 2. That's good.

 

First she told me it was $265! Then she said it wasn't in stock and to call this radiator place but I mentioned that I was from out of state and then I told her that a friend referred them to me with a price of $198 and she said she can do that for me and shipping would be about 10 bucks. Not bad!

 

1st subaru wanted 190 plus 20 bucks for shipping so it would have been the same amount but I think I trust the dealership more. Would 1st subaru be OEM factory parts or aftermarket? I'd rather have the factory part from subaru than an aftermarket one.

 

So I should have my heater core no later than wednesday! Thanks for the number! Can't believe the parts stores wanted 315-355 bucks!!!

 

I have green fog marks on my window in the center of the winshield where the vents come out right above the heater core. I'm pretty much my moms designated babysitter for the next couple weeks to pay this thing off. But it will be worth it when I'm warm and cozy in the snow up on the pass this winter! When I bought this subaru I found a pair of studded snow tires with about 90% tread on them in the back of my parents garage. We have a minivan and they were on that for one winter (actually probably only a month or two)and they happen to be the same exact size and the tires on the legacy! Would it be ok to run only two studded tires on my AWD? I know they're sensitive so maybe this is a bad idea? My tires are about 90% tread right now but they're just all weather tires. They'd make it though.

[tcspeer]

You talked to either Julie or Leia, I talked to Paul the day I called. I do so much bussiness with these people, I now know them by name and even got a Christmas card from them last year. I have two right hand drive Subaru's and together they have over 1/2 millon miles on them and these are hard miles of stop and go mail del. so you can see why I have to buy so many parts. I ordered a front wheel bearing one time and they sent the back, so when I called and told them they told me to keep it and they sent me the front free of charge, plus they will go to the floor and get answers from the mechanics for you when you need advice. Good people to deal with I hope other people will give them a try.

I called up Lithia Subaru and they did not have it in stock but they are ordering it and it will be shipped on monday and she said it could take one day but it won't take more than 2. That's good.

 

First she told me it was $265! Then she said it wasn't in stock and to call this radiator place but I mentioned that I was from out of state and then I told her that a friend referred them to me with a price of $198 and she said she can do that for me and shipping would be about 10 bucks. Not bad!

 

1st subaru wanted 190 plus 20 bucks for shipping so it would have been the same amount but I think I trust the dealership more. Would 1st subaru be OEM factory parts or aftermarket? I'd rather have the factory part from subaru than an aftermarket one.

 

So I should have my heater core no later than wednesday! Thanks for the number! Can't believe the parts stores wanted 315-355 bucks!!!

 

I have green fog marks on my window in the center of the winshield where the vents come out right above the heater core. I'm pretty much my moms designated babysitter for the next couple weeks to pay this thing off. But it will be worth it when I'm warm and cozy in the snow up on the pass this winter! When I bought this subaru I found a pair of studded snow tires with about 90% tread on them in the back of my parents garage. We have a minivan and they were on that for one winter (actually probably only a month or two)and they happen to be the same exact size and the tires on the legacy! Would it be ok to run only two studded tires on my AWD? I know they're sensitive so maybe this is a bad idea? My tires are about 90% tread right now but they're just all weather tires. They'd make it though.

[kimokalihi]

She was very nice. Sounds like excellent customer service! Can't wait to start driving my car again...