Rice Rocket

iTrader: (23)

Seems its all going wrong at the moment on the scoob!

This morning I was stuck in a jam, 20mins and noticed that the water temp raised to the start of the red dots at HOT! Started to drop once I started moving again, never had this before on a car.

Is it the cooling fans, fused or goosed or something else?

Thanks for your help

S!

wrxsti280

iTrader: (6)

coolant temp sensor, thermostat or knackered fans possibly

Rice Rocket

iTrader: (23)

Thanks for the quick response!

How hard is it to do?

S!

Rice Rocket

iTrader: (23)

Had a look around some different forums and read that the engine could be gubbed as it has been sitting in the red?@ Surely not?

S!

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

sometimes overheating can be caused by head gasket failure, you can get a decent garage to check this for you though.

The coolant sensor can be a bit tricky to do as if I remember it is sort of under the inlet manifold.

Also check your coolant levels are they okay? If your car is a classic the radiator end caps are prone to cracking and usually you cannot see this when the engine is not under presure, also check the top rad hose and the bottom rad hose to see if they have got splits in them as again with age they can become brittle and spew out coolant under pressure.

The stat is easy to change, I have had one stick closed which caused me overheating issues and also a split radiator and top hose. You will have to remove the bottom hose and it is fitted in a houseing on the engine side, if i remember the housing is held in place with 3 bolts (I think 10mm head), be careful removing these though as with age they can shear off. When I have changed my stat I put new bolts in place. Once removed you could check your stat by dropping it in a jug of boiling water to see if it opens or not.

Rice Rocket

iTrader: (23)

Cheers jay, was starting to panic there!! Was it OE bolts you replaced them with?

Thanks
S!

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

I just got some same sized bolts from a motor factor just took one of the old ones and got them to supply some the same, cant remember measurements though but they are probably about an inch long

Rice Rocket

iTrader: (23)

Had alook at the car to see for any leaks, nothing I could see, but the header tank was looking quite low.

Filling that with water will be ok to get me home or to halfords for more coolant?

S!

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

when you fill it, have the heater turned on and on hot, and fill with the engine running this will help prevent air leaks.

Rice Rocket

iTrader: (23)

Just hope it all comes off ok without anything breaking !!

Otherhalf away to collect the stat and coolant so hopefully should get it done tonight and replace the OE hoses with the SFS ones i've had for a few months now.

S!

Rice Rocket

iTrader: (23)

Just out of interest is there a quick way of checking if the fans are working ok?

S!

500

if you connect the 2 test connectors under the steering column, the fans should kick in.

Rice Rocket

iTrader: (23)

drove home ok, but looks like the fans aren't coming on. fuses ok.
what can I do to fix it?
thanks
S!

500

have you done the test? if that brings them on then it's the coolant sensor, if it doesn't then you need to check to see if you have any output to the cooling fan/s.

Mr Footlong

iTrader: (7)

Like 500 says, if you have them, plug in the green test connectors situated under the steering column basically, with the engine off, then just turn on to ignition power only. You will probably need to be on your back looking up from the footwell if you have never done it before. If you have them and do the above you will be able to both hear and see the cooling fans kicking in within a few seconds if all is well.

This page has a picture clearly showing them:

Scoobypedia | Trusted knowledge for everything Subaru | Reading ECU Fault Codes browse

Cheers,

Nick .

Rice Rocket

iTrader: (23)

THanks for all your help guys!!

Found out the problem!! I had my lightened pulleys fitted last month and I think either the fans werent connected back together or they have came loose and split, so fixed and working fine.
So glad it was nothing major, was just about to get underneath and replace the stat when i noticed this.

So thanks again for your help.

S!