Overheating issue [updated: pictures]

[Manaz]

Took it to my local mechanic, he said nothing major looks as though too much coolant was in, air may of been a factor. There's a bunch of gunk in the overflow tank, it's like the coolant has eaten the rubber tube or something he was a bit unsure of that. Cleared everything out and filled the tank to a proper level, ran everything for a while and took it for a run.

Time to find a new mechanic…… boxer engines need to be bleed, the flat configuration holds a lot of air. Sounds like your mechanic didn’t bother flushing the system either.

Flush and replace your thermostat would be the best move.

Not only that - but good coolant doesn't eat rubber hoses, or something else that a competent mechanic is a bit unsure about. And if the coolant isn't good (clean), then something is compromising it.

Regarding flush and replace the thermostat - I'd suggest it's too late for that. Unless the coolant system has been left open, there should not be any foreign matter in the coolant - it should be clean and green. If it has gunk or bubbles in it (and my understanding is that it does, as it was described as if a hose had perished in it), then that is almost certainly a headgasket issue - the gunk will be a combination of oil and exhaust gases which have condensed into the fluid.

I'd be very happy to be wrong about this - but I'd want to hear that a Subaru specialist had said so, and that the car had run without problems for a period of time after the diagnosis to "prove" it.

[TomTom]

Thanks for the info guys, I dropped the car off this morning at 8am before I saw about pushing towards a Subaru specialist. I thought i may as well let them go over it and see what they say. Got a call around 1pm saying it could be a long list of things essentially what everyone's mentioned, it was suggested that we start with the radiator caps (I believe he mentioned he used a tool that indicated the caps needed replacing, I'm not technical enough to remember it all). There wasn't a sign of mixed coolant/oil, he ended up changing the oil and coolant along with a proper bleeding. Ran it checking for any leaks, the radiator hose blowing made a nice mess so that was all cleaned up, no sign of leakage. The overflow tank isn't overflowing now and seems to be sitting at a nice level, his given it a little drive along with running it at the centre making sure all the fans come on and checked for leaks again.

He said it appears to be ok at the moment but to keep a close eye on things, at the slightest change bring it back. I'll pick it up tomorrow, I'm tempted to drive it an hour into the city and see how it goes but at the same time thinking of just making my way usually on the train just in-case. He mentioned a few similar stories his had in with boxer engines and subaru's...

Thoughts? Should I keep an eye on it and if problems persist take it to a Subaru specialist or just take it to one straight away?

Is there a chance in the slightest that I've gotten lucky on this? All signs lead to no...

**
When i did look at the tube that ran into the overflow tank I could see bits of the rubber peeling off, so that may of been legit. But there was a definite build up of gunk.

[Manaz]

'When i did look at the tube that ran into the overflow tank I could see bits of the rubber peeling off, so that may of been legit. But there was a definite build up of gunk.

Pure coolant won't do that. Coolant mixed with oil and exhaust waste products, that's a different issue.

Hopefully you're OK now...

[TomTom]

So I picked my car up this morning and took the risk of driving it to work (turned into a 2 hour drive thanks to traffic, normally 1). Car ran nicely with no overheating, I went over a few things once I got into work, the reservoir tank was sitting low around the full mark (no longer high and close to the cap), no coolant overflow or leaks that I could see. Did the same when i got it home, kept a good eye on the temp gauge which didn't move once warmed up. Again I'll be keeping a close eye on things over the next few weeks, I plan to get my major service done soon. I'm sitting at 89,630 on the ODO.

The invoice contains a detail list of what was done...
- x2 Radiator Caps & a log book service
- Wynns Engine flush
- Evolution Synthetic Oil
- Oil Filter
- Air Filter

- Checked All lights, horn, washers and wipers. ** Didn't pick up one of my fog lights thats busted along with the glass
- Added a bottle of engine flush and ran engine.
- Raised vehicle and removed road wheels.
- Checked front and rear brakes for wear.
- Drained the engine oil and replaced the oil filter with a new item.
- Checked the underside of vehicle (steering, exhaust, suspension etc).
- Tested the coolant condition
- Load tested the battery and checked the charging system
- Inspected the tune condition and cleaned air mass meter and replaced air filter
- Road tested the vehicle

Vehicle Faults Noted
- Drive belts worn
- O/s/f Outer Cv Boot split
- Different tread pattern on front tyres

[MY02B4]

I would still take it to a Subaru specialist to get it checked out just to be safe. The list of things they did is what they do during a standard service but at least you know what other things will need to be fixed/replaced soon.

[TomTom]

Reservoir back up close to the lid again, and coolant overflowing a bit after a solid hour drive on the highway (no overheating). Time to look for a specialist, I may as well get my major service done at the same time.

My poor pocket -.-

[Newbie GT]

Reservoir back up close to the lid again, and coolant overflowing a bit after a solid hour drive on the highway (no overheating). Time to look for a specialist, I may as well get my major service done at the same time.

My poor pocket -.-

I remember this car when it was for sale was in car sales for months and months

Did you have it checked etc :/?

[senator]

Noticed any werid smells or cloudy coolant??

Could be a stuffed thermostat

[TomTom]

Noticed any werid smells or cloudy coolant??

Could be a stuffed thermostat

Coolant colour is fine, although the reservoir tank is dirty (contents doesnt appear to be). The only smell is the coolant overflowing. Coolant appears to boil again. Ill take a picture.

Reservoir back up close to the lid again, and coolant overflowing a bit after a solid hour drive on the highway (no overheating). Time to look for a specialist, I may as well get my major service done at the same time.

My poor pocket -.-

I remember this car when it was for sale was in car sales for months and months

Did you have it checked etc :/?

Yeah I had a 100point check person come out, that seemed to have a good rep online, it scored well with minor issues. Me and a mate test drove (his got a lot more experience), had a good look over it again only minor stuff.

Unfortunately this stuff happens with cars :/

[Manaz]

Coolant colour is fine, although the reservoir tank is dirty (contents doesnt appear to be). The only smell is the coolant overflowing. Coolant appears to boil again. Ill take a picture.

Get the car to a Subaru specialist now. Bubbling coolant is a sure sign of head gasket issues (particularly after you've had the system flushed and properly bled).

Think about it - how are bubbles getting into the system other than by being combustion gases breaching the head gasket?

And when you're having your head gasket done, consider a better one than stock (Cosworth do a good one) and some stronger head studs (while they're in there, you might as well get stuff fixed properly). Having this work done will also give you a very good indication of whether your engine has issues running lean and/or pinging.

Yeah I had a 100point check person come out, that seemed to have a good rep online, it scored well with minor issues. Me and a mate test drove (his got a lot more experience), had a good look over it again only minor stuff.

Unfortunately this stuff happens with cars :/

Yes it does. Even if the person who did the check was a Subaru expert, there's really no way to tell if a head gasket is "about to go" - you only see the issue after it fails.

[TomTom]

Coolant colour is fine, although the reservoir tank is dirty (contents doesnt appear to be). The only smell is the coolant overflowing. Coolant appears to boil again. Ill take a picture.

Get the car to a Subaru specialist now. Bubbling coolant is a sure sign of head gasket issues (particularly after you've had the system flushed and properly bled).

Think about it - how are bubbles getting into the system other than by being combustion gases breaching the head gasket?

And when you're having your head gasket done, consider a better one than stock (Cosworth do a good one) and some stronger head studs (while they're in there, you might as well get stuff fixed properly). Having this work done will also give you a very good indication of whether your engine has issues running lean and/or pinging.

Yeah I had a 100point check person come out, that seemed to have a good rep online, it scored well with minor issues. Me and a mate test drove (his got a lot more experience), had a good look over it again only minor stuff.

Unfortunately this stuff happens with cars :/

Yes it does. Even if the person who did the check was a Subaru expert, there's really no way to tell if a head gasket is "about to go" - you only see the issue after it fails.

Thanks for the info, I'll book be booking it in Monday.

[Manaz]

Thanks for the info, I'll book be booking it in Monday.

Make sure you tell them all the stuff you've noted here.

• Temperature issues
• Crap in the coolant
• Bubbling in the expansion tank
• Full flush and purge done
• Still getting bubbling in the expansion tank

[Boostaddict]

This thread and the other one with illestlib had me thinking about my car as i have some intermittent bubbling in the dash.

Originally i found the top radiator hose was leaking... New one with new clamps, top and bottom and a full flush and all
Bubbles taken out.

Buuuuttt i heard the bloody bubbling again the other day after a little squirt. !!

So i gave it a few squirts after dropping the kids off to school. Got out and the bloody over flow fluid was bubbling!! CRAP!!

Had a quick look under the oil filler and there was the slightest of slight milkyness .

Im not getting any spike in temp tho.....

Ssssoooo i have a leak.... Just have to find it!!

NEVER thought these Libs would have dramas like this with their cooling systems!

[chubbs]

This thread and the other one with illestlib had me thinking about my car as i have some intermittent bubbling in the dash.

Originally i found the top radiator hose was leaking... New one with new clamps, top and bottom and a full flush and all
Bubbles taken out.

Buuuuttt i heard the bloody bubbling again the other day after a little squirt. !!

So i gave it a few squirts after dropping the kids off to school. Got out and the bloody over flow fluid was bubbling!! CRAP!!



Had a quick look under the oil filler and there was the slightest of slight milkyness .

Im not getting any spike in temp tho.....

Ssssoooo i have a leak.... Just have to find it!!

NEVER thought these Libs would have dramas like this with their cooling systems!

Sorry to get you all paranoid dan, if it really concerns you get it looked at and diagnosed imediately you dont want it to get bad if you have an issue, fingers crossed its nothing to serious and just you being paranoid

[jaydece]

when my head lifted, my temps never went up, had the cooling system pressure tested...it passed...had my top and end tank replaced and rad flushed, but in the end still had bubbling, loosing and overflowing of coolant and the milky froth effect....

so just cause you don't have temps rising doesn't mean your out of the woods....

good luck

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