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Outback Question Overheating
Since you guys and gals have answers to so many of life's questions, a friend asked me to ask...her outback started over-heating. When they checked, the overfill tank for the rad was dry, so they filled it up, drove, checked it and it was dry again. Took it in to mechanic, no rad leak and pressure was checked and was fine. They are being told a master cylinder is probably the problem. Anything else they should be checking? She's 8 months pregnant and needs her car back. As of now, its just sitting in the driveway. Thanks for any help
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Cyn 92 Ebony Pearl LS-L 199,000K New Tranny (my DD) 89 Chevy Sprint (for when my baby's in the shop) 05 Mazda 3 (Hubby's DD) "You win some, you lose some, you wreak some." Dale Earnhardt |
#2
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Huh?
What does a master cylinder have to do with overheating and disappearing coolant?
From personal experience with a number of Legacy engine problems on 2.2 and 2.5L engines, it's most likely a head gasket problem. You didn't mention the year, which might make a difference whether it's an internal or external leak. Mech should check the coolant for signs of combustion traces, and bubbles in the overflow when running after warmup. This can be done rather easily, result of internal leak forcing coolant out the overflow. Usually on earlier, 97-99 models. Later versions of the motor were more prone to external leaks, easily detected by, well, puddles, and signs of leakage. The later, improved multilayer gaskets are much less prone to failure after replacement. This usually includes checking mating surfaces for warpage caused by multilpe instances of overheating (heads and block). This is a serious issue and not to be dealt with by just refilling with coolant. Been there, done that. Good luck to your friend! Glenn
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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" Aaron Burke 1993 25th Anniversary Edition #63 of 301. R.I.P. Rojo 7/24/2008 She saved my life! 1997 Ebony Mica Pearl LSI. BLACKBERRY 1998 5-Spd Legacy GT Wagon in Glacier White: NUBURU 2005 Cadillac STS in Sandstorm Metallic: STORMY Veteran and farthest traveler of 1st SoCal2MuseumsMeet2010. http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/user.php?RojoRocket |
#3
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huh??
i agree with above , what does a brake part have to do with a cooling part ? the motor probably has a bad head gasket which allows for the burn off of antifreeze does it make white smoke at any time ? or smell bad like sweet smell when running or idling ? there would be a great help to know what year and miles manual or auto transmission?
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#4
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Could be as simple as a low coolant condition causing an air pocket in the block. I would try filling the upper radiatior hose and then refilling the radiator. Just to make sure.
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2007 GS 450h-Active Stabilizer/Radar cruise 1994 L Blue 3.70 VTD ASE Master Automobile ASE Advanced Level Specialist Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician (former life) |
#5
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If it is the 2.2L engine, they were much more prone to head gasket leaks than the 2.5L engines. The 1996 MY is bad news and are very likely to over heat. They had the 2.2L engines. The 1997 and later are much better because of the 2.5L engines. A year of the car would be a big help.
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. Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*> Subaru Ambassador [COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430 1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739 1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831 1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680 1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229 1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car) 1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913 1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164 1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176 1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215 1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525 1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624 1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961 1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855 1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872 1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097 2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951 1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420 My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19 |
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Quote:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184026 I've experienced HG failure with both motors, so can't really debate the finer points. Wasn't a dedicated net junky when we had the '91, but this seems a very common failing in the 2.5L as well. Nifty has a good point, but if experiencing a "low coolant" condition, how did all that coolant escape? Glenn
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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" Aaron Burke 1993 25th Anniversary Edition #63 of 301. R.I.P. Rojo 7/24/2008 She saved my life! 1997 Ebony Mica Pearl LSI. BLACKBERRY 1998 5-Spd Legacy GT Wagon in Glacier White: NUBURU 2005 Cadillac STS in Sandstorm Metallic: STORMY Veteran and farthest traveler of 1st SoCal2MuseumsMeet2010. http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/user.php?RojoRocket |
#7
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I've send off an email asking her the year, etc. They just bought the car, and a week later this happened. Her husband is up north with the Coast Guard, and she'd like to sort it out before he gets back. Thanks for all your help. I'll post the info later today.
Cyn
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Cyn 92 Ebony Pearl LS-L 199,000K New Tranny (my DD) 89 Chevy Sprint (for when my baby's in the shop) 05 Mazda 3 (Hubby's DD) "You win some, you lose some, you wreak some." Dale Earnhardt |
#8
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Quote:
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. Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*> Subaru Ambassador [COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430 1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739 1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831 1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680 1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229 1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car) 1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913 1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164 1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176 1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215 1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525 1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624 1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961 1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855 1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872 1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097 2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951 1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420 My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19 |
#9
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Sorry Earl, didn't mean to confuse the issue.
It appears our opposed motors are prone to HG failure regardless of size, model or level of maintenance. Been through it with the SVX too. Most vocal group appears to be the 2.5 crowd though. Shrugs. I'm convinced it should be on every Subie owner's list of inevitable expenses, and should probably be included on the scheduled maintenance tables. At least then we would be able to schedule it. Glenn
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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" Aaron Burke 1993 25th Anniversary Edition #63 of 301. R.I.P. Rojo 7/24/2008 She saved my life! 1997 Ebony Mica Pearl LSI. BLACKBERRY 1998 5-Spd Legacy GT Wagon in Glacier White: NUBURU 2005 Cadillac STS in Sandstorm Metallic: STORMY Veteran and farthest traveler of 1st SoCal2MuseumsMeet2010. http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/user.php?RojoRocket |
#10
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The car is a '97 Legacy Outback; 2.5L auto; new rad and sencor cap (don't know if I got that right). I sent her the link to this thread, so she and hubby can read your answers and disscussions before talking to mechanic. I love that he's up in the Arctic on a boat and has access to the world thru computers. Its a wonderful world.
They both send their thanks.
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Cyn 92 Ebony Pearl LS-L 199,000K New Tranny (my DD) 89 Chevy Sprint (for when my baby's in the shop) 05 Mazda 3 (Hubby's DD) "You win some, you lose some, you wreak some." Dale Earnhardt |
#11
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Thanks for more detail Cyn.
The 97 OB should have the same radiator I have in my 98 GT. When refilling with coolant the black plastic Phillips head plug on top far left (passenger side) of the radiator should be removed first. It acts as a bleeder for the air rising out of the radiator, as well as the upper radiator hose. When coolant comes up out of the hole the rad "should" be full, and the plug replaced. If the car is sitting level, engine off, just remove it, and the cap, fill to overflowing, replace both, fill return/overflow tank to its upper mark and go. If this still results in overheating then look for aforementioned bubbles rising in the overflow, as well as the radiator, sure signs of a blown Head gasket. Any reputable mechanic can test the coolant for chemical signs of exhaust gases, and another sign is black, sooty residue around the neck of the radiator and return tank. If this is the case your friends are in for a major expense. It's nearly impossible to know which side is blown, necessitating removal and renewal of the HG's on both side. If it's any consolation, use of the latest multilayer replacement gasket from Subaru should prevent any recurrence. Glenn
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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" Aaron Burke 1993 25th Anniversary Edition #63 of 301. R.I.P. Rojo 7/24/2008 She saved my life! 1997 Ebony Mica Pearl LSI. BLACKBERRY 1998 5-Spd Legacy GT Wagon in Glacier White: NUBURU 2005 Cadillac STS in Sandstorm Metallic: STORMY Veteran and farthest traveler of 1st SoCal2MuseumsMeet2010. http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/user.php?RojoRocket |
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