3 problems at once!

James Scott · #1 08-01-2005, 11:34 AM

Now my SVX is accelerating horribly ..and noisely..Don't know what it could be..but weird I'm getting other problems AT THE SAME TIME! NOW.. engine is overheating...AND air conditioner goes off frequently (maybe high pressure switch)..... just starts getting HOT...then comes back on later..?

DO ANY OF THESE THREE PROBLEMS SEEM RELATED? Could the timing belt jump a tooth or two? Could the THERMOSTAT cause either the engine to run rough and poorly when accelerating..or the AC to shut down?

PLEASE HELP with any ideas! THANKS!

P.S. Could the water PUMP be working sporadically? (I guess NOT!) ....or at least involved? The engine is gutless and noisey (pinging) when accelerating?? What could that be....SUDDENLY!? HELP!?

mbtoloczko · #2 08-01-2005, 11:41 AM

First, stop driving the car. You are going to do permanenant damage to the motor.

dcarrb · #3 08-01-2005, 12:06 PM

Yikes. Overheating, running roughly and noisily... I agree that you'd better better take it out of service, park it in front of a reputable mechanic, and hope it's not ruined.

dcb

#4 08-01-2005, 12:09 PM

Could be headgaskets. As your car burns coolant the engine will run rough (1st problem), run hot (2nd problem), and cause your AC to turn off (3rd problem). The AC turns off because it's programmed to do so if the engine temp gets too high. It reduces the load on the engine. As the temp lowers, the AC kicks back on.

How is your coolant level??

Dave

James Scott · #5 08-01-2005, 12:42 PM

I DON'T LIKE YOUR COMMENTS!.....but y'all may be right!

The coolant can't be read now cuz the car's jacked up in front....the reservoir is all but empty..but the radiator is full!

Unfortunately, your scenario makes too much sense! If that's it...what will it cost, approximately? I had to take today off work to get SOMEWHERE with this! As you know, we usually don't see two or three problems popping up at once!

Do you think it's worth draining the coolant...then replacing the THERMOSTAT? To see if that helps any of the overheating? That's what I was in the middle of....when I got your response!

I MAY NEED COUNSELING...I'M NOT READY FOR THIS!

P.S. I GUESS I'LL JUST BUY THE $9000 ENGINE FROM SubaruParts.com

P.P.S. Don't hesitate..ANY OF YOU.. to respond yourselves....AND TELL ME IT'S SOMETHING SIMPLE AND CHEAP.. . . . . HA!

dcarrb · #6 08-01-2005, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Scott

P.S. I GUESS I'LL JUST BUY THE $9000 ENGINE FROM SubaruParts.com

Relative to that, paying somebody to replace the head gaskets would be simple and cheap.

dcb

Dessertrunner · #7 08-01-2005, 01:48 PM

My suggestion would be to change the thermostat reason being the SVX engine has the water pump on the engine side of the thermostat and pumps the water through the block back through the heat unit & throthal body and back to the water pump. If the thermostat is stuck the water pump won't help it open. While your car has low K it has high age I would never go that many years before changing the thermostat. The engine will take a lot of punishment before doing a head gasket. My money is on the thermostat.
Tony

#8 08-01-2005, 02:16 PM

i had a bad miss that fried my plugs and car ran crap and more loud. i would pull one plug and check.

svxfiles · #9 08-01-2005, 03:01 PM

Are both electric radiator fans working?

James Scott · #10 08-01-2005, 03:47 PM

YES....Both fans R working!

James Scott · #11 08-02-2005, 01:30 AM

My SVX just failed the block test @ Pep Boys.....meaning that combustion gases are getting into the coolant! So....if I understand this right, at the least I have a head gasket problem...[if not a cracked head..or block!]

I will take it to the dealer (or a Porsche mechanic I've used before on my Ferrari)..So I will do head gasket (hope that's all it needs there), install timing belt, water pump, and valve cover gaskets while I'm (they're) at it!

BOTTOM LINE IS.....I can't afford a new car!

THANKS!

#12 08-02-2005, 07:01 AM

Well, at least you know what you're up against now. The gaskets can be purchased online for a decent price. Just make sure you get everything you need up front, including new valve cover bolt grommets, spark plug tube gaskets, and intake and exhaust manifold gaskets. That way your tech isn't slowed down waiting for parts to arrive after he's already started the job.

Dave

#13 08-02-2005, 08:18 AM

Don't suppose we could get a volume discount, eh?

Too bad we're on different continents... (sorry, couldn't resist a comment)

James Scott · #14 08-02-2005, 05:07 PM

HEH Red 95svx:

Please tell me all parts needed...so I don't miss something that would hold up the repair! Is that it...the parts you mentioned + the head gaskets .... Is that ALL the parts needed?

I already have and would want installed at this time:

Water Pump
Valve Cover Gaskets (incl bolts and washers)
Spark Plugs
Timing Belt (to purchase)
Knock Sensors

THANKS for your help!

#15 08-02-2005, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Scott

HEH Red 95svx:

Please tell me all parts needed...so I don't miss something that would hold up the repair! Is that it...the parts you mentioned + the head gaskets .... Is that ALL the parts needed?

I already have and would want installed at this time:

Water Pump
Valve Cover Gaskets (incl bolts and washers)
Spark Plugs
Timing Belt (to purchase)
Knock Sensors

THANKS for your help!

-Headgaskets
-valve cover gaskets (including bolt grommets and spark plug tube gaskets)
-intake manifold gaskets
-exhaust manifold gaskets
-rear exhaust donut (this depends on where your tech disconnects the exhuast)

That should take care of the headgasket job. You won't need new valve cover bolts, just the bolt grommets...the little rubber/metal things the bolts sit in. If you are doing a water pump you might as well do the thermostat also since the thermostat sits in the pump. Make sure you get both the waterpump gasket and the thermostat gasket as well. You could also do the crank and cam seals while you're in there.

Dave