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Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

19285 messages,  Last post on Jun 03, 2013 at 10:22 AM

You are in the Subaru Crew Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Subaru Legacy, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, SUV


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Your Community Leaders are ateixeira and rsholland.

Messages Page 667 of 1929

#6660 of 19285 overheating, but not really by jax123

Jun 02, 2006 (9:31 pm)

OK, here's the situation. any help would be appreciated!!!
1998 Subaru Forester, 108,000 mileage.
Recently had upper radiator hose replaced due to crack.
Then soon after had coolant system issue - gauge reading hot. Mechanic said faulty water pump, had it replaced, as well as timing belt & thermostat.
Gauge continued to spike high, and coolant was disappearing. He added water, then added that Subaru conditioner for any leaks. Said to just let engine cool down and then add water to radiator if the gauge went high again.
Tried a longer trip and it spiked, first just on uphills, then all the time. Opened hood, engine actually looks & feels fine, but added water to radiator. Reserve tank was full. Also - heater inside blowing cold air, no heat.
Got on the road again and it spiked again. Stopped and started several times along down the highway. Everytime opened the hood, tho, the engine seems fine - not hot!
Finally try adding coolant into radiator, not water, and gauge spikes initially, then very soon reads fine and stays fine the whole way home, hills and all. And heater now working, etc.
Get home and open hood - engine seems fine, but reserve tank totally empty!!
What is going on???

#6661 of 19285 Crazy Coolant Conundrum! by brend0

Jun 03, 2006 (12:41 am)

I'm the proud owner of a 98 2.5 GT Limited I love it but on a recent trip i had some overheating issues. My engine coolant is being forced out of my radiator and into my reservoir. I had a block test and a pressure test done to see if it was the head gasket and it all came back negative. I had a new thermostate put in less then 6k miles ago. Any ideas on where to look next would be greatly appreciated. Thanks All. Brendon

#6662 of 19285 Re: overheating, but not really [jax123] by semebe

Jun 03, 2006 (8:27 am)

Replying to: jax123 (Jun 02, 2006 9:31 pm)
You have an internal leak in your head gaskets. The hot air from the engine gets into the coolant causing the temperature guage to spike. On the 1999 to 2003 models, this was quite common and caused by leaky head gaskets. Subaru had a recall to add an additive to the coolant. Then the warrantee for the head gaskets was extended to 100,000 miles. I was lucky that mine blew at 80,000 miles and was covered, since the repair costs 1,900 dollars. My symptoms were exactly the same as yours. Sorry, Sey

#6663 of 19285 Alarm hassle by tankmaster

Jun 04, 2006 (7:19 pm)

Hi all,
 
I removed the battery on my 98 outback in order to get at plugs # 2 and 4. when I was done and re installed the battery, the alarm went off. Any idea how i can deactivate the alarm immediately after hooking the battery back up? I did have one window open. I removed the keys from the ignition and tried connecting the battery again but the alarm goes off again.
 
Any help much appreciated.

#6664 of 19285 What to do? by vbhoo

Jun 05, 2006 (1:40 am)

I currently have an early production 01 outback llbean that is apparently a total lemon. I've had pistson slap, 3 bad engine managemnt computers, a replaced transmission, a rear sunroof that despite repeated adjustment, still leaves a 1-3 mm gap along the rear lip when closed (the dealer actually put black duct tape on the inside lip as a supposed fix), falling door seals on the front door, the wind noise from the mirrors (had gusset replaced in 02, mad problem worse), mulitple complete electrical failures (new battery, alt, cables), and some minor alignment issues. Over the life of the car, it was owned by my parents first, it has been on a 3 months or 3k oil and filter change regiment of synthetic only, blades, bulbs, tires all replaced at regular intervals, all service done at subie dealers. I love the car when it works, well below 32 mph when it then sounds like take-off, but I feel that emotions have come in the way of what looks to become a serious drain on my wallet in the forseable future. Is there such thing as a subie mechanic that can actually fix them, or do the reliability ratings reflect lowered exspectations of people who love their cars inspite of their flaws. Should I call is quits on this one now, or try to wait it out?

#6665 of 19285 Re: overheating, but not really [jax123] by fibber2

Jun 05, 2006 (7:57 am)

Replying to: jax123 (Jun 02, 2006 9:31 pm)
Sey (semebe) covered the basics, so here is a little additional detail. The hot exhaust gases escaped the cylinder and found its way into the heater core (why you had no heat) and to the cross-over (why the temp gauge read high). Once it 'burped' and the system cooled, it sucked all of the fluid out of the overflow tank to backfill the system.
 
The conditioner (basically leak-stop) is only recommended as a fix for the low pressure seepage (cooling jacket to external) typically found on the newer SOHC engines ('99/'00-present). It is not typically effective against the high pressure internal leakage found on the older DOHC design, and is not recommended for this purpose. If it worked for you, understand that it is probably only temporary, and the overheating is likely to return in short order.
 
Steve

#6666 of 19285 Re: Alarm hassle [tankmaster] by ateixeira

Jun 05, 2006 (8:57 am)

Replying to: tankmaster (Jun 04, 2006 7:19 pm)
Yes, on mine I have to hit lock/unlock/lock with my keyless fob a few times to get it to stop blinking the lights. I don't have an alarm, but it's worth a try.
 
-juice

#6667 of 19285 Check Engine Light NOT Working by humandrive

Jun 05, 2006 (5:54 pm)

I took my `99 outback wagon to get inspected today and the only thing wrong with it was that the check engine light would not come on. The light is the left most one on the tachometer and the only one there that does not light up. The oil light right next to it will light up but not the check engine light. Would this be a bad connection, burnt out bulb, or something worse?

#6668 of 19285 Extended Warranty? by famof3kids

Jun 06, 2006 (8:54 am)

I have a 2003 Subaru Legacy with 35,500 miles on it. I have 500 miles to decided whether or not I want to purchase the Subaru Gold Extended warranty.
My question, do those of you that follow this board think I should purchase it? I know its a gamble, and it paid off on my '91 Legacy back then (constant replacement of CV joints every 15k miles).
My only concern is the head gasket issue of the past. My car 'was not' recalled as part of that initiative, but, still worry.
 
What do you guys think?
 

#6669 of 19285 Re: Extended Warranty? [famof3kids] by once_for_all

Jun 06, 2006 (9:13 am)

Replying to: famof3kids (Jun 06, 2006 8:54 am)
it is simply a question of statistics and economics, only you can answer it.
 
Do dealers make money on extended warranties (big picture, not individual)? You bet.
 
Would you normally "lose" money on the average by buying a warranty? You bet.
 
So the bottom line is, can you afford to fix the car on your own if it fails? This is statiscally the best choice. If you can't afford it, then buy the warranty. Either decision shouldn't create worry for you. This only relates to the car. If you have other issues (can't afford downtime, etc.) then the warranty may be for you.
 
John

Messages Page 667 of 1929

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