Wants to overheat

[Michael Blue]

OK guys, having an issue with my poor little car.
Not quite as bright and shiny as she was 7-8 years ago when i bought her,
She has some minor rust starting, a few minor bumps and scrapes (daughter's been driving her),
And now she's wanting to overheat...

I made sure the radiator has fluid, the oil is good, etc...(just checking everything...)
It has an aftermarket radiator of some kind, but I have no way to get any info on it or the hoses or anything, no longer communicating with the guy who did the trans swap, radiator, etc.
My best guess is a thermostat? But where is it and how hard is it to get to on this car?
Does that sound reasonable to you guys, or do you have other suggestions?

Thanks!

~M

[svxcess]

.

A few more specific symptoms please. How does the temperature gauge react? Just climb and stay there or fluctuate up and down? Is there anything you do that causes the gauge to fall?

Possible causes are a bad thermostat, a bad radiator cap or the dreaded head gasket.

How many miles on the pearlie?

.

[Michael Blue]

Over 150Kmi, climbs and stays, just replaced the radiator cap after the first episode of this, just in case...Head gasket?! Ugh, let's hope not.

Thanks!

~M

Originally Posted by SoCal LS-L

:Slaps hand over eyes:

Whos gonna say it? Im not going to, not this time.

That's pretty helpful?
What are you on about?

[SoCal LS-L]

Originally Posted by Michael Blue

OK guys, having an issue with my poor little car.
Not quite as bright and shiny as she was 7-8 years ago when i bought her,
She has some minor rust starting, a few minor bumps and scrapes (daughter's been driving her),
And now she's wanting to overheat...

I made sure the radiator has fluid, the oil is good, etc...(just checking everything...)
It has an aftermarket radiator of some kind, but I have no way to get any info on it or the hoses or anything, no longer communicating with the guy who did the trans swap, radiator, etc.
My best guess is a thermostat? But where is it and how hard is it to get to on this car?
Does that sound reasonable to you guys, or do you have other suggestions?

Thanks!

~M

:Slaps hand over eyes:

Whos gonna say it? Im not going to, not this time.

[SoCal LS-L]

Originally Posted by SoCal LS-L

:Slaps hand over eyes:

Whos gonna say it? Im not going to, not this time.

I hate being right sometimes.

This is really making me worry about mine.... I slightly overheated last week after a long drive and sitting in a drive-thru, and the reservoir was almost overflowing with coolant. It hasnt done anything since, but im afraid mine might be going too. Theres no other explanation for my cooling system puking out that much coolant into the reservoir.

[Cam]

If you have access to an engine hoist, stand, and a decent set of tools a reseal job is not too difficult.

[Huskymaniac]

Originally Posted by SoCal LS-L

I hate being right sometimes.

This is really making me worry about mine.... I slightly overheated last week after a long drive and sitting in a drive-thru, and the reservoir was almost overflowing with coolant. It hasnt done anything since, but im afraid mine might be going too. Theres no other explanation for my cooling system puking out that much coolant into the reservoir.

Your overheating could indeed be a head gasket but it isn't the only possible explanation. You might want to work through the possible causes. If it overheats too much or too many times for another reason then you could end up with a head gasket problem.

[Michael Blue]

::UPDATE::

The new shop tested the CO2 levels in the coolant, and they were normal. (So much for "being right all the time )

I ordered a water pump and timing belt, he should have it done Monday.

Gonna have him look at the wheel bearing while he's got it...
Anyone have a quick link to the proper "how to" on these?
I know there's a trick to it...

Also, anyone know where I can source a windshield inexpensively?

Thanks!

~M

[Ownbot]

I hope your problems are over, but I would bet you do need a HG. I've had 2 Subarus that the head gasket went bad. What you are describing sounds way too familiar. Sorry

[icingdeath88]

Originally Posted by Michael Blue

Gonna have him look at the wheel bearing while he's got it...
Anyone have a quick link to the proper "how to" on these?
I know there's a trick to it...

Really only 2 things you have to make 100% sure that a shop does:

Change the grease on the wheel bearings from the shipping grease that comes on them to a real wheel bearing grease. Mobile 1 makes a great synthetic grease. I'd pick some up and take it with you so that they have no excuse for not changing it.

Don't overtorque the axle nut. If they're in a hurry, they'll just put it on real quick without making sure not to overdo it. Watch them to make sure they don't do this.

Originally Posted by Michael Blue

Also, anyone know where I can source a windshield inexpensively?

Best way is to get one off of a parts car in your area. People are reluctant to ship them, so they're pretty difficult to get used. There aren't that many new ones left at all, and they're super expensive.

[SoCal LS-L]

Originally Posted by Michael Blue

(So much for "being right all the time )

Hmmm who said that?

[svxcess]

.

Originally Posted by Michael Blue

My best guess is a thermostat? But where is it and how hard is it to get to on this car?

Remove the bottom belly pan.
Drivers side,
Look for the thermostat housing on the bottom of the engine, drivers side
The lower radiator hose connects to the housing.
The housing is held to the block by 2 10mm bolts.

21200AA072...Thermostat...$12.15
21236AA010...Thermostat Gasket...$2.62






.

[immortal_suby]

Please keep the discussion civil. Posts have been removed from this thread. Thanks.