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#16
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Re: Finally picked up my 96 SVX. Temp gauge moves around a little.
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I know that a fluctuating temp gauge is a sign of headgasket issues but I would think the needle would go from normal to warmer not from cooler to normal. |
#17
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Re: Finally picked up my 96 SVX. Temp gauge moves around a little.
That is just how it starts. My car had identical symptoms. It progressively got worse until it became completely undrivable. We are not trying to give you our "opinion", just letting you know whats coming. You have about an 80% chance of a blown headgasket...sorry
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Cam '92 Ls-L Dark Teal 11:1 CR ECUTUNE pistons ECUTUNE .256 duration intake/exhaust cams ECUTUNE STAGE 2AV1 ECU Z32 MAF/SR20DET injectors Balanced & Blueprinted |
#18
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Re: Finally picked up my 96 SVX. Temp gauge moves around a little.
From experience, I agree with OT, Dan, Cam,etc on this one. This is how the first engine on my Claret was behaving.
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1991 SVX L JDM Last edited by Mike621; 08-03-2010 at 10:02 AM. Reason: mentions |
#19
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Re: Finally picked up my 96 SVX. Temp gauge moves around a little.
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I knew about the transmission, wheel bearing and warped rotor issues but head gaskets were not typically discussed as a known common issue. OK, so let's say it is a head gasket. First, should I go to a dealer or is it easy enough that a decent local mechanic can replace them? Second, what is the typical cost in each case? I guess what I thought was a good deal for a low mileage SVX might turn out to not be such a great deal. |
#20
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Re: Finally picked up my 96 SVX. Temp gauge moves around a little.
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BUT, again, GO BORROW/BUY A BLOCK TESTER KIT and test your car before worrying about it too much. They work, I have used them to diag headgaskets countless times on subaru engines. |
#21
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Re: Finally picked up my 96 SVX. Temp gauge moves around a little.
Head Gaskets are not hard to replace yourself, if you have some confidence, patience, and a decent set of tools. Head Gaskets will set you back a couple hundred, and Labor...well, I am not sure what flat rate is on a HG job for our cars. Someone should be able to chime in on this.
Don't lose hope, still diagnose the problem with logic and the aforementioned steps by OT. You could be a lucky case, and have a bad water pump or radiator cap. If it is the HG, then get an engine reaseal kit, and have everything resealed. It is not going to cost you but a couple hundred more total, and you get the head gaskets in the re-seal kit. Much better option, and cost almost exactly the same. The engine must be torn down the same amount either way, so this is what I would recommend.
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Cam '92 Ls-L Dark Teal 11:1 CR ECUTUNE pistons ECUTUNE .256 duration intake/exhaust cams ECUTUNE STAGE 2AV1 ECU Z32 MAF/SR20DET injectors Balanced & Blueprinted |
#22
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Re: Finally picked up my 96 SVX. Temp gauge moves around a little.
Thanks for the information guys. I have some new data.
I haven't had the chance to pick up a head gasket tester yet but I did take note of the fluid cold and warm. Cold, it was just above the low mark on the overflow container. After a nice long drive it was right at the high mark. It is difficult to see the fluid through the container but I didn't see bubbling. Also, the top hose on the radiator was soft so I know there wasn't excess pressure in the line. It was 84 today and the needle never got above about the 40% mark on a 30 minute highway drive. The only time I have ever seen it even get to 45% was on a very steep climb at low speed. On a related note, I am in shock when I look at the engine compartment. It looks like a brand new car. The previous owner really seemed to baby the car to some extent.. |
#23
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Re: Finally picked up my 96 SVX. Temp gauge moves around a little.
Good luck, wish you the best possible outcome.
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Cam '92 Ls-L Dark Teal 11:1 CR ECUTUNE pistons ECUTUNE .256 duration intake/exhaust cams ECUTUNE STAGE 2AV1 ECU Z32 MAF/SR20DET injectors Balanced & Blueprinted |
#24
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Re: Finally picked up my 96 SVX. Temp gauge moves around a little.
We all have hope that it will turn out well,
It's just that we have seen this many times before.
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www.svxfiles.com The first SuperCharged SVX, the first 4.44 gears, the first equal length headers, the first phenolic spacers, the first Class Glass fiberglass hood, the first with 4, 4.44s in his driveway Fiberglass Hood thread My locker 4.44 Swap link |
#25
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Re: Finally picked up my 96 SVX. Temp gauge moves around a little.
The head gaskets CAN be replaced with the engine in the car, although only an idiot, or someone without an engine hoist (or both) would try it (I'll let you guess which category I fall into.) Oh yeah-- I did it at night, in January, in an unheated garage in Utah too. It wasn't that hard- just time consuming. Patience, care, and attention to detail is definitely required.
I'd recommend a full reseal kit too- I think it was less than $250 when I bought it (from the local dealer) a few years ago. |
#26
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Re: Finally picked up my 96 SVX. Temp gauge moves around a little.
Definately pull the engine. You will actually save time just yarding it out and resealing it rather than trying it in the car. Oh yeah, be ready to possibly get new engine mount bushings (around $300).
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Cam '92 Ls-L Dark Teal 11:1 CR ECUTUNE pistons ECUTUNE .256 duration intake/exhaust cams ECUTUNE STAGE 2AV1 ECU Z32 MAF/SR20DET injectors Balanced & Blueprinted |
#27
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Re: Finally picked up my 96 SVX. Temp gauge moves around a little.
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Keith |
#28
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Re: Finally picked up my 96 SVX. Temp gauge moves around a little.
I can affirm what others have said about gauge operation: In my years of SVX ownership, no matter the driving conditions or weather, I've never observed any fluctuation in temp gauge readings. Whether it's zero out or 100 (as it's supposed to be today), they simply go to near the midpoint and stay there.
That said, if one of my gauges started see-sawing from cool to normal and back (and never higher), I'd probably spring for a new sending unit before doing anything else. Good luck with it. dcb |
#29
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Re: Finally picked up my 96 SVX. Temp gauge moves around a little.
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#30
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Re: Finally picked up my 96 SVX. Temp gauge moves around a little.
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