Looking for advice in Melbz!

[Tewaka]

I dont spose anyones in Melbourne who I can maybe pop around for some advice lol, im having a hell of a time trying to get my heating issues sorted out, Swapped out Radiator (old one was really knackered lol) and Thermostat, but im still over heating, it could be a HG which im not ruling out, just looking at simpler things first....I am wondering if I have not burped the cooling system correctly, I have watched many tutorials online but alas....

So this is whats happening...After installing new Rad and Thermostat, I refilled with new coolant, started her up, left cap off and let air bubbles burp out, I had me heater on but not AC as well. Once the fans kicked in I put cap back on.
I went for a test drive, during this time, when I was just simply driving, the Temp gauge went up to 3/4 on the dial, and when I slowed down nearing a stop, the gauge would drop to around half, then shoot up to 3/4, the temp gauge has never gone over 3/4, but the engine does seem really hot. I waited for it to cool down, and repeted the burping process, as far as I can tell im not losing and coolant like I was with the old radiator......I am not abit stumped....

Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks!

Heres some pics of the old rad....

[HardwareBoB]

There's only so much to the coolant system... especially that quickly. I'd be suspecting head gasket at this point. You can put it back together without the thermostat which would mean it should be more linear and test that way.

[vinshonz]

i would let it burp out the air alot longer

you stopped after the fans kicked in once? i would wait until fans kick in atleast 3 times just to be on safe side

[Tewaka]

ugggh if it is the HG is this the correct one for our 3.0?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/05-09-FITS-SUBARU-B9-TRIBECA-OUTBACK-LIBERTY3-0-EZ30D-VICTOR-REINZ-HEAD-GSKT-SET-/252381162404?hash=item3ac316eba4:g:seoAAOSwwo1XdAM3&vxp=mtr

[HardwareBoB]

Yes, that's the one. Head gasket in a subaru is fun times!

Does the H6 need new head bolts? I'm guessing the service manual doesn't call for it, similar to the N/A EJ.

[BillyCorgi]

Surely, if the head gaskets were cactus, and with the Subaru open deck cylinder design, there should be lots of combustion chamber pressure working its way into the cooling jackets and pushing the coolant out.
There would be a continuous stream of bubbles in the coolant and the "burbing" would be never ending?

[Tewaka]

ok heres what ive done now, I noticed the drain plug was leaking, guess I didnt tighten it enough, so I drained the coolant, removed the thermostat, made sure plug was tightened lol, put the thermo housing back on with no thermo in place...

Added the coolant, burping it, when it looked like it might be done, i replaced cap, and took the car for a drive, this time whilst driving the temp stayed around midway constantly, whilst stationary the temp gauge started going up, to just below 3/4, the fans would kick in and it would lower slightly, but once I started driving again the temp would drop to around half......So I am guessing maybe the new Thermostat I had was either not opening or maybe I hadnt quite had it in correctly, I made sure the bleed nippile on the thermo was on the top but either way, without the thermo it seems to be running cooler.....

[77T]

Test the thermostat opens in a pot of water on stove

also get an oem one if you havent,always best to use oem thermostat in my experience

[Tewaka]

Yeah it is an OEM only purchased it a few months back, just never got around to putting it in until the other day...

[vinshonz]

maybe take it to a subaru specialist? i see your from northern suburbs, GotitRex is around that area

[Tewaka]

Gotitrex have a minimum 6 week waiting period before they can even look at the car. They too busy lol