1999 Subaru overheating
My 1999 Subaru Legacy Outback with 138,000 miles, has an overheating problem. Intermittent, and unpredictable. Coolant is full, both cooling fans run as needed, overflow reservoir is at correct level, air conditioner is off, no noticeable leaks at the water pump. That's the extent of what I know to do. Air temp can be anywhere from the 50s to the 80s and all of a sudden the temp gauge pegs at the top and I'm leaving a trail of coolant behind me. It has occurred before driving as few as10 minutes and after driving over an hour. Different garages have suggested a water pump replacement, thermostat replacement, head gasket replacement, getting a different radiator............... and I understand it could be any one of those. I know that once the hood is popped and wrenches start to turn, it will be any combination of some or all of them. The garages in this area don't have a great reputation for honesty and as for me, I can wire your house for you but when it comes to auto mechanics, I'm a full sandwich short of a picnic, no smarts at all. What do you readers think? For what little I know, my first guess is thermostat since it is the original and the miles are high. But of course, my guess is influenced by my wallet.
humm...first change the thermostate..dill some holes in the new thermostat and install.add a bottle of WATER WETTER >Unique agent for cooling systems that doubles the wetting ability of water Rust and corrosion protection allows for use of straight water in racing or reduced antifreeze levels in warm climates Improves heat transfer and reduces cylinder head temperature May allow more spark advance for increase power and efficiency Use one bottle for most passenger cars and light trucks, treats 3 to 5 gallons or 13.2 to 15.9 liters. Vehicles with larger cooling systems should use two bottles. Small cooling systems should use 1oz (3 to 4 capfuls) per quart Compatible with new or used antifreeze (including DEX-COOLTM and long-life versions) to improve the heat transfer of ethylene and propylene glycol systems Satisfies ASTM D2570 and ASTM D1384 corrosion tests/anti freeze..
Try cleaning your radiator with a garden hose and nozzle or better yet a pressure washer radiator may be clogged with dirt and bugs restricting the air flow across the radiator.
Water Wetter is an excellent product and I'm not sure I'd take a pressure washer to your radiator.. Google search:: 1999 subaru outback overheating troubleshooting :: and one result is here :: http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/66-problems- maintenance/40412-1999-outback-intermittent-overheating.html :: Lots of good reading. Another :: http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/66- problems-maintenance/21325-indicators-bad-water-pump.html :: Plain OM said "Coolant leaks can be almost anywhere there are joints or seals where coolant flows. Assuming the water pump is the source might be premature, and costly." and I fully agree! Lots of factors. Do the reading. Register and ask for help. But don't throw money at a SUPER COSTLY water pump job that might not fix it. Clean the bottom of the engine, maybe let it idle and warm up and see if you can see the leak. Keep us posted
Never would have recommended it if I had not done it before and it worked.
If you do use a power washer do not use the jet stream use the fan spray tip.
If ur subaru is overheating intermittent and u tried everything well sorry to inform u it heads and the gasket problem I own a a 1998 subaru outback legacy and spent thousand of dollars( $ 5,000) trying to fix it and i took it to 5 different mechanics including subaru dealer prestige subaru in turnersville and they took me for a ride as well no mechanic ever told me it was head gasket for whatever reason maybe because they thought they could keep milking me for money or didn't know what was really wrong. Most won't tell u because they figure u won't pay the cost to have the repair don't which by the way us around $ 3,000 so I sold mine and I wish you all the best in ur repair I loved my subaru just wish I know the problem before I sold it to a guy who know what was wrong and changed the heads and tells me it's running well
I pray for you to find the answer as my '99 Subaru legacy sedan sus limitied edition 2.5 started giving me problems at 73,000 miles. I had it pressure tested and 2 places told me it was an internal pressure problem and most likely headgaskets. I had them replaced and the week prior to leaving it all local garage had timing tensioners, pulleys, belts, axles, brakes, and all replaced as well as new water pump and two different types radiator caps and thermastats. It has been 1 and half years now and I am having problems again with instant going to hot mark on dash with radiator and engine so cool I can lay my hands on them but am losing about a quart or a little more of coolant out of the radiator every 70 miles. I can detect no leaks at all and no coolant in my oil. My car now has 104,739 miles on it. Nothing at all for a Subaru as I have had several and some have gotten 340,000 miles. I read up on this and the Subaru factory changed from asbestos head gaskets years back and added a coolant sealant into the system to make them go at least 70,000 miles then they can start giving trouble. Most garages know this but won't tell you about it unless you tell them you know about it. Last year all I saw on facebook and local ads was thousands of our subarus was doing the same thing. I say Subaru should have to make it right or if we have a low mileage engine that started this before 100,000 miles they should have to make it right but I called my local Subaru dealership this week and they only offered me to check my car out at 110.00 an hour plus repairs or to sell me another car. I can't afford another car and this one is like new yet except for a scratch dent down driver side that a deer did to it. I love this car. Now I read my mechanic book and it also states that different sensors tells the timing and air/fuel mixture when to increase/decrease and if they don't coinside with the computer then they need replaced. I am at my wits end with not knowing what to do or having finances to get it fixed. My daughters Subaru station wagon is doing same thing, my sons '96 legacy 2.2 sedan same thing, my brothers 2.5 forester station wagon same think. I think we should all contact the better business bureau or attorney general for help and file complaints.
