my 92 legacy overheating

[cruisen_15]

ok so my 92 legacy ss is over heating, heres a list of symptoms and things ive done:

remember i also have a td04 swap(if that helps)

-new headgaskets (heads were not warped)

-runs at average temp and out of no where strikes straight to hot

-put a new radiator cap on (16 lbs)

-cooling fans work fine

- the car over heats in about 10 minutes after reaching normal temp. but it doesnt matter whether i go really fast or really slow, the temp just spikes randomly

-new thermostat

-when it starts to overheat if i put it in nuetral and rev up the motor alot it instantly cools back to average temp then spikes again

- temp is hot but i can put my hand on the motor and it really isnt that hot at all

-the pressure is really high

- no white smoke or water coming from exhaust

-blurped the system many times but doesnt work

- heater works good until it overheats then its cool air but when switched to a/c its hot even if the temp is really hot

[benebob]

Weird symptoms. It could be that you have a big air pocket so the thermostat isn't opening at all. Did you try taking the top hose off and filling the engine in it?

What does it do without a cap on it at idle? No weird issues or noises with the water pump?

Another thought is could the tstat have floated out of place when installing? I know the EA82 series this could happen and give similar issues.

[jeffast]

try replaceing the coolant temperutre sensor for the gauge its on the drivers side of the engine under the intake manifold.
i've heard that when they go bad the coolant temp gauge acts like a tachometer.
also check for a good connection, it could just be a glitch.

[cruisen_15]

the water pump was new from when i baught it, oh and the car only overheats when driving it, it will not overheat if i just idle and even rev it up..

with the cap off heres what happens: on start up coolant splashes out, then kind of swashes around for a little, and if the temp is at average little bubbles come out and the coolant will overflow slightly, then when you shut it off a big amount splashes out

[benebob]

Originally Posted by cruisen_15

the water pump was new from when i baught it, oh and the car only overheats when driving it, it will not overheat if i just idle and even rev it up..

with the cap off heres what happens: on start up coolant splashes out, then kind of swashes around for a little, and if the temp is at average little bubbles come out and the coolant will overflow slightly, then when you shut it off a big amount splashes out

Yeah that kind of leads me to think you have air in the system

[subeman90]

get your coolant tested for hydrocarbons. I think you have a HG leak.

[TomsSVX]

Who did the HG's?? Sounds like someone didn't follow the entire torquing procedures.

Tom

[svxpert]

guys, before we tell him to go and start replacing random parts, we need to find out the way he filled the cooling system. I have come across countless times at my shop where its as simple as not filling the cooling system correctly. Subarus are notorious for having a picky way to be filled correctly. Its easy to get air pockets in the system if not done correctly...

so I ask, how did you fill the coolant system?

[TomsSVX]

Very true... but I am not that optimistic.

Tom

[SVXRide]

so, who wants to provide the in-depth, "First you jack the front end of the car up so it's at least a foot above horizontal" explanation of how to correctly fill the coolant system?
-Bill

[TomsSVX]

Originally Posted by SVXRide

so, who wants to provide the in-depth, "First you jack the front end of the car up so it's at least a foot above horizontal" explanation of how to correctly fill the coolant system?
-Bill

You don't even need to do that...

1. Pull the top hose off the radiator
2. Fill the engine though the top hose.
3. Reconnect hose to radiator
4. Remove bleeder screw.
5. Fill radiator
6. Replace bleeder screw
7. Idle the engine for 10 mins
8. Fill radiator if necessary.
9. Replace rad cap

Tom

[RojoRocket]

Don't the Leggys have a "bleed screw" at the top of the radiator so one doesn't have to go through the "top rad hose" thing?

Glenn

OOPS! Didn't read entire TomsSVX post.

[subeman90]

but he has a sport sedan and they have 2 tanks that you have to screw with. Not fun at all.

[SVX92-97]

I have a 94 Legacy Touring Wagon (Turbo) with 180k miles. Ive owned know for about 40k miles, and previous owner had installed a new radiator. It has never overheated on me, but Ive just recently noticed after shutting off the car and being under the hood, I could hear a bubbling noise near the back of the engine. Wonder if I have air in the system. Hope its not a head gasket issue, I just had that with my 96 polo this summer.

[cruisen_15]

where is the bleeder valve you guys talk about? i only have one radiator cap and thats on the coolant tank thats on the intake manifold,

is it possible to retourqe the head bolts if i loosen them back up? they are the 3 layer metal ones?