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1996 Subaru Legacy Outback overheating

41 messages,  Last post on Aug 30, 2010 at 10:04 AM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 3 of 5

#12 of 41 Re: 96 Outback oil in antifreeze reservoir -overheating [ebony5] by xwesx

Oct 18, 2009 (4:33 pm)

Replying to: ebony5 (Oct 18, 2009 3:28 pm)
Cool air coming out of the vents.... could be thermostat, water pump, or an air pocket. If it is an air pocket, it is likely due to the head gasket condition (combustion blow-by forcing air into the coolant). You can tell, though, if you pull the radiator cap and let the car run, you can see bubbles being produced as the car runs.
 
With that mileage on the car and assuming everything else is in good shape, I would say that it is worth the repair if you are planning to keep it a while longer. If it is destined for a trade-in or sale any time soon, I would say no. The car is probably 14 years old, give or take a couple months, and it only has 108,000 miles. 7500 miles a year; how do you do it?!

#13 of 41 Thanks once again by ebony5

Oct 18, 2009 (8:22 pm)

Was wondering if you were still reading these postings-it has been a couple of years - I remember when you said good bye to your '96. Are you still in Alaska? More shall be revealed tomorrow. It is the oil in the coolant reservoir that has me concerned. If I remember correctly that is an indication of a head gasket situation. I only drive for a short while when I noticed the situation. I have had the same mechanic working on my car at Subaru for a number of years now and we have a nice relationship. The low milage is because I live in NYC and only use the car at night and on the weekends. But even so at 14 years even with being diligent parts wear out and get corroded.

#14 of 41 Re: Thanks once again [ebony5] by xwesx

Oct 19, 2009 (10:27 am)

Replying to: ebony5 (Oct 18, 2009 8:22 pm)
Yep; still in Alaska. We just recently purchased a '10 Forester and are really enjoying it.
 
Oil in the coolant is a sure sign of a head gasket failure, but that is not going to immediately translate to overheating. It depends on how/where the gasket failed as to how likely an overheat episode is to occur. Oil in the coolant is a a far better situation than coolant in the oil, but both must be addressed as soon as possible.

#15 of 41 Update by ebony5

Oct 19, 2009 (8:10 pm)

Yes the dreaded head gasket failure- am getting it repaired-did the numbers and seemed like the way to go-it was due to have a new timing chain and water pump, so having that done as well . From reading these posts over the years, I thought it was the head gasket. Good luck with the new Forrester

#16 of 41 1996 Subaru Legacy Outback Overheating PLease help!? by dan_koch

Mar 08, 2010 (4:51 pm)

I recently purchased a 1996 outback with a 2.5 from a repo Auction. i got the car home it ran great but i noticed the temp gauge never raised. so i went bought a thermostat and put it in and now the car overheats. the radiator is cold, and the bottom radiator is cold but the top radiator hose is hot, so i flushed the whole system and still no help... my next step is a water pump what do you think?

#17 of 41 Re: 1996 Subaru Legacy Outback Overheating PLease help!? [dan_koch] by xwesx

Mar 08, 2010 (7:42 pm)

Replying to: dan_koch (Mar 08, 2010 4:51 pm)
I think it is either water pump or air in the system that is preventing proper circulation.
 
However, if you did not have an overheating problem before the work, I doubt it is the water pump. Did it have a thermostat in it when you installed the new one? I am stuck on the "temp gauge never raised."

#18 of 41 Re: 1996 Subaru Legacy Outback Overheating PLease help!? by dan_koch

Mar 08, 2010 (8:35 pm)

i did not have a thermostat in it... i too thought it was air in the system. because it was doing this after i first put the stat in after about an hour of working with it i had it to where the heater was working and not overheating then on my way to work last night about 15 miles away it started over heating again.. im a night guard so after finally making it there i parked my car on a incline so that all the air should be pushed towards the radiator and checked it every hour all night and topped it off with coolant every time, then this morning coming home it ran great didn't get close to over heating then this evening i didnt drive 2 miles b4 it was over heated so the only thing i can think of it being is a bad water pump...
 
also i pulled the thermostat back out. because i have to make it to work heat or no heat and i tested the thermostat with a pan of water over heat and it was working good

#19 of 41 Re: 1996 Subaru Legacy Outback Overheating PLease help!? [dan_koch] by xwesx

Mar 09, 2010 (10:23 am)

Replying to: dan_koch (Mar 08, 2010 8:35 pm)
It could be the water pump, but the intermittent nature of it makes me think you should perform a thorough inspection of the head gaskets (compression test, check for bubbles in the coolant, look for combustion gunk/oil sheen in coolant, check oil for signs of coolant, leak down test) as well. Head gasket problems often result in sporadic and unpredictable overheating. That said, I did have the water pump fail on my '96 Outback w/ 2.5L (it had about 177K on it at the time) and it warned me a couple of times before it quit altogether.

#20 of 41 re: 1996 Subaru Legacy Outback Overheating PLease help!? by dan_koch

Mar 09, 2010 (10:16 pm)

Lucky my step dad is a certified GM Mechanic so he had everything to test if i had a bad head gasket he said everything looked good to him from what he could tell, we got the motor torn down and the old water pump off and the new one on it was putting the timing belt back on when the clouds busted and rained us out and since i have no way to get it in a garage im stuck the the rain stops... but comparing the new and old water pump, the impeller is a different design, and the new one doesnt spin as freely as the old one. but it is still smooth and the old one you could hear the bearing rubbing in it but other than that it looked good, i kinda have my doubts about it being bad but i guess ill find out tomorrow when the rain stops lol

#21 of 41 re: 1996 Subaru Legacy Outback Overheating PLease help!? [dan_koch] by ateixeira

Mar 10, 2010 (9:24 am)

Replying to: dan_koch (Mar 09, 2010 10:16 pm)
Sorry, it was my fault. I washed my car.
 
100% chance of rain right after I do that, every time.

Messages Page 3 of 5

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