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#1
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Temp Fluxuation
Ok, So I seem to be having the same problem as DearPrudence. Every now and again the temp will shoot up to the top of the temp symbol and will cool off. Car seems normal as far as "under the hood temp feel" is concerned. It won't do this multiple times, just once a day, for now...(crosses fingers)
Would a flush do the trick, or am I in some serious pocketbook trouble. The temps here in Idaho are getting pretty close to the century mark and having owned my baby since December 31st 2003 am in limbo about what is wrong. When I bought the car the guy I bought it from said that it was a newer engine with about 40k on it, and no paperwork to tell for sure. Did I get handled or is this just a simple fix. Please help... Keith
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The member formerly known as Civic_Slayer 1992 "Robins egg blue" SVX Originally Claret 147k- CURRENT 1992 Pearly 187K and climbing (11-91) #964 *retired 1992 Pearl SVX 122500 miles #86 FASTAR THAN THE OLD ONE.*SOLD Everytime I get into my car, it always reminds me that it has POWER |
#2
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Honestly, I would at least talk to a radiator shop. It could be something as simple as a flush, but could be a bad sign of a head gasket leak. Many competent shops can take a quick look at the symptoms and give an adequate diagnosis.
I would have the radiator inspected, flushed, and rotted out by a radiator shop, check the engine codes to see if anything is wrong with the coolant temperature sensor (and possibly other things), then change the thermostat and t-stat housing gasket. Inspect all radiator lines as well. Be sure that a precise 50/50 mixture is achieved when the radiator is refilled (Prestone sells a very cheap tester). I recently went through the whole coolant problem fiasco with my car, and things seem to be on the up now (knocks on wood). Good luck. |
#3
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If you're not losing coolant, it's very, very unlikely to be the head gasket. And you probably don't need a cooling system flush unless sombody's been running straight stop leak.
My old Legacy had precisely the same symptoms. Thermostat. Honest. Change it before you spend a dime on anything else. dcb |
#4
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I am not losing any coolant and am hoping that it is just the thermostat and radiator that needs flushed.
Keith
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The member formerly known as Civic_Slayer 1992 "Robins egg blue" SVX Originally Claret 147k- CURRENT 1992 Pearly 187K and climbing (11-91) #964 *retired 1992 Pearl SVX 122500 miles #86 FASTAR THAN THE OLD ONE.*SOLD Everytime I get into my car, it always reminds me that it has POWER |
#5
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This sounds exactly like a worn-out thermostat. Replace it and I bet you're good to go.
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2005 RX-8 Grand Touring 2005 Outback 2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 wagon END OF LINE |
#6
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Yippie!!! How hard is it to replace by my self and how much for the thermostat?
Keith
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The member formerly known as Civic_Slayer 1992 "Robins egg blue" SVX Originally Claret 147k- CURRENT 1992 Pearly 187K and climbing (11-91) #964 *retired 1992 Pearl SVX 122500 miles #86 FASTAR THAN THE OLD ONE.*SOLD Everytime I get into my car, it always reminds me that it has POWER |
#7
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Easy to replace and $9.33 from subaruparts.com
Reference link Mine came with a gasket. Not sure if they all do.
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David B. SVXipedia @ SVX-IW.COM -- SVX Information Warehouse 2.0 coming...eventually! Ebony 1992 SVX LS-L 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro 187k miles RIP (Rust In Pieces) 1993 SVX 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro Polyurethane bushings still available! |
#8
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Just a little more interesting info. The only time that the temp really soars is when the fans kick on while parked and idling. hmmm...
Keith
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The member formerly known as Civic_Slayer 1992 "Robins egg blue" SVX Originally Claret 147k- CURRENT 1992 Pearly 187K and climbing (11-91) #964 *retired 1992 Pearl SVX 122500 miles #86 FASTAR THAN THE OLD ONE.*SOLD Everytime I get into my car, it always reminds me that it has POWER |
#9
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I'm not certain, but it's possible that the fans are kicking on because the temperature has spiked. I think it's possible that you don't see that until after the fans kick on becasue the ECU and the water temp gauge use different sensors.
Or there's a better answer. I don't know. I'd still replace the thermostat before looking at anything else. It'll give you a chance to drain and refill your coolant anyway.
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2005 RX-8 Grand Touring 2005 Outback 2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 wagon END OF LINE |
#10
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3.99 for a 170 thermostat from autozone doesn't sound like it will do the trick, does it. I'll have to make it to Tom Scott Subaru Monday and see how much they charge for an OEM thermo.
Keith
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The member formerly known as Civic_Slayer 1992 "Robins egg blue" SVX Originally Claret 147k- CURRENT 1992 Pearly 187K and climbing (11-91) #964 *retired 1992 Pearl SVX 122500 miles #86 FASTAR THAN THE OLD ONE.*SOLD Everytime I get into my car, it always reminds me that it has POWER |
#11
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Do not get any parts store thermostat. They will sell you a tiny little piece of junk. The stock thermostat is a pretty large unit.
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Matt Locker Link 2015 BRZ Limited 6MT 92 Ebony LS-L ECUtune Stage2av1, Z32 MAF, 370cc injectors, TomsSVX intake, BontragerWorks 22mm RSB #003, HID Hi and Lo beams, OT endlink and bushing mods, PWR Aluminum radiator, Harvey's QC shift kit, 2.5" flowmaster 80 exhaust, 17" Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, Poly sway bar bushings, Slotted Bradi rotors, AFBeefcake powdercoated calipers, 97 grill, and a huge set of air horns. 300,000 miles and counting 92 Ebony LS-L. ecutune stage1v4, motorsport 1pc pulley. Garage Queen - sold to Dad in upstate NY 155,000 miles 19 Subaru Ascent Premium - -Hers !. 89 DL 4x4 little red wagon - a.k.a. The immortal suby. 275k R.I.P. |
#12
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I had the exact same thing happen
Mine would do that as well. It started just like yours then evolved to getting hot anytime the car sat still for a few minutes, but would cool off after i got under way. I too asked the yahoo club and they said thermostat so i replaced that and did a flush too but it didn't help. Turned out that my water pump was going bad. Have you ever replaced the water pump? How many miles do you have on it?
~Ray
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'93 LS-L named "Samantha Victoria Xavier"...Sam for short. All new and improved custom built engine with forged internals, lowered compression, upgraded cams and a stage III supercharger. AMR Engineering struts, Custom exhaust --All 3 Subaru cats removed, and replaced with 2 high flow mustang cats-- Cross-drilled & Slotted rotors, steel braided brake lines, bypassed stock Tranny cooler replaced with aftermarket B&M super-cooler, and a K&N drop in air filter. |
#13
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Quote:
Water pump removed with out removing t-belt gear Steve
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92 SVX AWD 130,000 w/ rebuilt SVX 4.11 97 Audi A4 1.8T (Daily Driver) 03 Ford Expedition(hers) SVXepidia SVX information warehouse Are you in? My Old Locker A 4.11 Founding Father "Tranny #6" I really need a manual Reading IX [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Ya I was there
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#14
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Well, I checked the fluid again and it was low. Filled it up and didn't see much temp change all night. Funny thing is that I haven't seen any leekage what so ever. Could it be evaporation caused by the temp and my driving habits?
Keith
__________________
The member formerly known as Civic_Slayer 1992 "Robins egg blue" SVX Originally Claret 147k- CURRENT 1992 Pearly 187K and climbing (11-91) #964 *retired 1992 Pearl SVX 122500 miles #86 FASTAR THAN THE OLD ONE.*SOLD Everytime I get into my car, it always reminds me that it has POWER |
#15
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I'd be worried about the headgasket. The fluid can be leaking through the exhaust.
__________________
David B. SVXipedia @ SVX-IW.COM -- SVX Information Warehouse 2.0 coming...eventually! Ebony 1992 SVX LS-L 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro 187k miles RIP (Rust In Pieces) 1993 SVX 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro Polyurethane bushings still available! |
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