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  #1  
Old 05-10-2009, 11:06 PM
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Thermostat broken! Stuck in Annapolis! NEED HELP FAST!

I'm in Annapolis on a business trip and suddenly my temp guage went from normal to red in seconds, then to normal and red again. Called OT and he had me feel the radiator hoses. Top one is hot as hell while bottom is mild to not so hot. Conclusion is that the thermostat is broken. I don't want my engine to esplode so I guess my question is, is there anyone in Annapolis or does anyone know of anyone in/around Annapolis that will install a new thermostat?This is urgent since I'm driving back Tuesday so I'd like to have it fixed asap. Or would it be ok to drive the 2 and a half hours back to Cumberland in this condition? I'm also a little strapped for cash and would prefer not to get raped by a local mechanic. Any help is greatly appriciated!
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Mods: ECU bead crush, 15 min mod, 20 min mod, drilled/slotted rotors & Axxis ceramic brakes, SS lines, 17" Evoke F1 wheels, XS-HF137 Sony Xplod speakers, 6000k HID's (lows & fogs), resistor mod, 1½" Sleek Spoiler mod, custom exhaust by svxfiles, '02 WRX aluminum racing radiator by svxfiles, Summit Racing 400# x 300# springs w/ Koni's by svxfiles, ClassGlass fiberglass hood /w scoop, Nevin's rear sway bar, '97 grille, phenolic spacers, custom LED interior lighting, custom paint.
†"War doesn't determine who is right, only who is left"†
Work to be done: Tinted windows, clear/LED tail lights, tailbar mod, "Power Mode" mod, Supertone horns, clear corners & headlight lenses, 2 pc splitters or custom bumper, Alcyone side skirts, TruSpeed Stage III SVX Intake, Hydra, 4.44 tranny swap, JDM auto folding side mirrors, engine rebuild, super charger, STi seats, bone leather interior /w SVX emblem, dash overhaul, SVX decals, paint (stock color). Total cost?: 22k At least it's going down..
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Old 05-10-2009, 11:33 PM
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Re: Thermostat broken! Stuck in Annapolis! NEED HELP FAST!

Thermostats are typically really easy to fix on your own, with minimal tools. I honestly can't tell you for sure where your thermostat is located as I haven't had to replace mine, but I'm fairly certain if you locate your lower radiator hose and follow it to where it goes into the block, it should be there. Again, can't tell you for sure (and can't seem to find any pictures or diagrams on here), but they usually are pretty easy to get to and remove. Its located in a rounded cast aluminum housing that is usually held on with two bolts. You'll need to get a new thermostat, and most likely a gasket as well. I'll do some more digging around and see if I can confirm this for you.

[edit]Here you go. I can't get the diagram to open, but its right where I thought it should be.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...mostat+housing
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Last edited by AyeJaye; 05-10-2009 at 11:39 PM.
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  #3  
Old 05-11-2009, 06:18 AM
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Re: Thermostat broken! Stuck in Annapolis! NEED HELP FAST!

its not hard at all to replace, however, the big PIA will be draining the coolant. You could pick up a thermostat from autozone or a local dealership at minimal cost. The thermostat is towards the bottom right hand corner of the engine (if standing in front of the car). just follow the bottom radiator hose to the block.
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Old 05-11-2009, 06:42 AM
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Re: Thermostat broken! Stuck in Annapolis! NEED HELP FAST!

Quote:
Originally Posted by SVXMAN2001 View Post
its not hard at all to replace, however, the big PIA will be draining the coolant. You could pick up a thermostat from autozone or a local dealership at minimal cost. The thermostat is towards the bottom right hand corner of the engine (if standing in front of the car). just follow the bottom radiator hose to the block.
If anything I would just take the thermostat out if you are really in a rush and doing it on your own.. It's only a few bolts. I ended up going through 2 brand new autozone thermostats before I ended up ordering a subaru one because they would not open up.

Running without hte thermostat would ensure you wouldnt overheat, but it would take longer for the car to warm up. Luckily it's warmer out now so it shouldnt be a problem.
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Old 05-11-2009, 07:19 AM
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Re: Thermostat broken! Stuck in Annapolis! NEED HELP FAST!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim View Post
If anything I would just take the thermostat out if you are really in a rush and doing it on your own.. It's only a few bolts. I ended up going through 2 brand new autozone thermostats before I ended up ordering a subaru one because they would not open up.

Running without hte thermostat would ensure you wouldnt overheat, but it would take longer for the car to warm up. Luckily it's warmer out now so it shouldnt be a problem.
Unfortunatly Tim the thermostat holds the gasket in place and would leak like crazy if removed.
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Old 05-11-2009, 07:28 AM
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Re: Thermostat broken! Stuck in Annapolis! NEED HELP FAST!

I just spoke with Annapolis Subaru's service department and their estimate is $140.00.
They require changing the coolant even though it's only a year old.
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  #7  
Old 05-11-2009, 07:28 AM
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Re: Thermostat broken! Stuck in Annapolis! NEED HELP FAST!

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Originally Posted by svxfiles View Post
Unfortunatly Tim the thermostat holds the gasket in place and would leak like crazy if removed.
Never mind that one then.
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  #8  
Old 05-11-2009, 07:40 AM
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Re: Thermostat broken! Stuck in Annapolis! NEED HELP FAST!

If you park your SVX with the drivers side wheels on a tall curb, and then lift the body up a few inches you would have enough room to slide under and see the two 10mm head bolts that hold the thermostat housing in place.

Get a big drain bucket from Advance Auto Parts, a stock thermostat and gasket from Subaru.

When the engine is cool,
remove the cap first,
undo the bolts,
get an antifreeze shower,
wash out your eyes,
change your clothes,
and install the new thermostat and gasket.
Refill saved coolant, reinstall cap, and Happy Motoring!


PS;
thermostat #21200AA072
gasket #21236AA010
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Old 05-11-2009, 09:19 AM
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Re: Thermostat broken! Stuck in Annapolis! NEED HELP FAST!

Or to save himself from the antifreeze shower, drain from the radiator drain plug on the lower passenger side of the radiator.
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  #10  
Old 05-11-2009, 10:13 AM
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Re: Thermostat broken! Stuck in Annapolis! NEED HELP FAST!

Quote:
Originally Posted by SVXMAN2001 View Post
Or to save himself from the antifreeze shower, drain from the radiator drain plug on the lower passenger side of the radiator.
That way he can get TWO showers.
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The first SuperCharged SVX,
the first 4.44 gears,
the first equal length headers,
the first phenolic spacers,
the first Class Glass fiberglass hood,
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  #11  
Old 05-11-2009, 10:15 AM
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Re: Thermostat broken! Stuck in Annapolis! NEED HELP FAST!

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Originally Posted by svxfiles View Post
That way he can get TWO showers.
Green showers are better than golden showers.
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  #12  
Old 05-11-2009, 10:19 AM
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Re: Thermostat broken! Stuck in Annapolis! NEED HELP FAST!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim View Post
Green showers are better than golden showers.
Ah, Tim, how would you,,,



Nevermind.
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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
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  #13  
Old 05-11-2009, 10:20 PM
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Re: Thermostat broken! Stuck in Annapolis! NEED HELP FAST!

Ah! Mechanic in Annapolis? Who needs em? I managed to find the part at auto zone and thanks to everyone who replied, managed to replace the thermostat myself. Thanks to everyone for your help. Hope that fixed it for a while. It is an aftermarket part but maybe it'll be fine with that reused gasket. Think so?
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1992 Pearl White LS-L "Ruslana" #4946 - 180k on body, 95k on engine.
Mods: ECU bead crush, 15 min mod, 20 min mod, drilled/slotted rotors & Axxis ceramic brakes, SS lines, 17" Evoke F1 wheels, XS-HF137 Sony Xplod speakers, 6000k HID's (lows & fogs), resistor mod, 1½" Sleek Spoiler mod, custom exhaust by svxfiles, '02 WRX aluminum racing radiator by svxfiles, Summit Racing 400# x 300# springs w/ Koni's by svxfiles, ClassGlass fiberglass hood /w scoop, Nevin's rear sway bar, '97 grille, phenolic spacers, custom LED interior lighting, custom paint.
†"War doesn't determine who is right, only who is left"†
Work to be done: Tinted windows, clear/LED tail lights, tailbar mod, "Power Mode" mod, Supertone horns, clear corners & headlight lenses, 2 pc splitters or custom bumper, Alcyone side skirts, TruSpeed Stage III SVX Intake, Hydra, 4.44 tranny swap, JDM auto folding side mirrors, engine rebuild, super charger, STi seats, bone leather interior /w SVX emblem, dash overhaul, SVX decals, paint (stock color). Total cost?: 22k At least it's going down..
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  #14  
Old 05-11-2009, 10:37 PM
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Re: Thermostat broken! Stuck in Annapolis! NEED HELP FAST!

It may be okay if it doesn't leak.
You should get the gasket. Perhaps it's only a dollar or less.

Meanwhile, if the temp doesn't fluctuate again, then you're good to go.

Good work, Freeman.
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  #15  
Old 05-12-2009, 06:07 AM
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Re: Thermostat broken! Stuck in Annapolis! NEED HELP FAST!

for future 411...


if you are stuck like this....

the workings of the thermostat are held to the part the gasket goes on by a couple bent over tabs. You can use a pair of pliers to straighten the tabs and take the workings out so you can install just the plate with a big hole in the middle and the gasket around the edge.



also, the after market thermostats are round. the oe thermostat is oval and has a bubbler on the top. I'm not saying an aftermarket thermostat won't work. I hear a lot of people have used them so I assume they can be made to work.
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