Overheating Issues...

[Medium Dave]

Hey Guy's, I am throwing myself at your mercy for some assistance with my scoobie - this forum is the only place I know of for decent advice! I have even spoken to mechanics and I am getting nowhere

It started overheating the other week - engine hot, radiator cold. So I replaced the thermostat with a burson unit and stuck the hose in various points (block, heater, radiator and no blockage), no improvement. Then I replaced the waterpump (another burson) and it was good for a week when it started overheating again... it began overheating, then going back to normal temp's, then overheating, then back to normal - so I replaced the thermostat with a gen subaru one, and it was good for one drive for 20 minutes, quick fuel stop then overheated then back to 3/4 hot on the way home. I filled it with some water, seemed to be a bit low, then it guzzled the water, then comes back, and occasionally spits water out. The radiator was hot to touch, but the heater is cold and the thermofans kick in as they should

I am wondering if I scored a dud water pump and I should go to Subaru for a proper one, but I was wondering if anyone had any other ideas before I pull this thing apart again (I am so close to just setting the damn thing on fire...)

Many thanks

[scotty nm35]

Sounds like a blocked radiator. Even if it lets a bit of water through, probably not enough. Did you check the thermostat in boiling water first?

[warps]

Stupid question, but are you sure the temp gauge is working properly?

This isn't the only place where you get intelligent responses to questions. You have just been looking in the wrong places. If I ever needed help on a WRX, I think I'd head over to some gravel rally forums.

[Medium Dave]

Cheers Scotty - I will drop into a radiator place on the way home. I admit I did not check the thermostat, from where I live the cost of a replacement was sufficiently low enough that I grabbed one while I was at the service centre when I spoke to one of their mechanics rather than make another trip.

The gauge seems to represent the temperature of the engine when I touch various hoses and parts, so I have no reason to mis-trust it so far, and it is true Warps, there is probably many places I could go to for good info, but I'm a big fan of 'go with what you know' and this forum has not led me astray yet

Many thanks guy's

[FLN75S]

As Scotty mentioned i would be looking at the radiator, sounds like something could be broken in there and is sometimes totally blocking of the water flow.

[lachlanw]

sounds to me like its a big air lock at the top of the drivers side end tank . what year is your car ? does it have a header tank and a line from the top of the drivers side end tank back to the header tank ?

you replaced the radiator . does it have this line ?

what you do is take the little hose (if it has one) or the main radiator hose off the drivers side end tank and get a mate with a rag tied round the hose to jam it in the rad cap and not stop untill yuou have a solid stream of water coming out . do it with the front of the car a shigh as you can get (ramps or a driveway ) and make sure the heater is on full hot

[iplen]

on the top left (From the front) there will be a square plug, with a phillips screw fitting in it, car on ramps, heater flat out, open that and start pouring water in keep going until A) the heater is HOT and B) water comes out of the bleed valve. From personal experience (over $6k spent on a NON turbo motor in an 89 liberty) Subarus are very sensetive to air locks, and overheating, would not be surprised if the first time has done a headgasket and that will be the end of it I am afraid. Subaru is the Crazy Japanese Cousin of the Euro car brands. If it has done a headgasket.... I have a motor for sale....

[Medium Dave]

I'm afraid it's just an old non turbo liberty - and it is now behaving exactly like it was before I replaced the water pump, the only way to make water in the rad move is to squeeze the top radiator hose. I am familiar with the procedure for refilling coolant, and the water is not full of oil and vice versa so hopefully the head gaskets are still intact (mind you it's probably just a matter of time)

I think I will give it to some radiator guy's this afternoon (couldn't make it in yesterday) to see if it's blocked, but I wont be surprised if it's this water pump again...

[lachlanw]

"the only way to make water in the rad move is to squeeze the top radiator hose"

explain . how do you know water is moving in tha rad ?

sounds a lot like a air lock

[MEKTIK]

www.rexnet.com.au is your friend

Head gaskets I say

[Medium Dave]

I changed the water pump tonight and it has come good (touch wood) thanks everyone

[JohnWaugh]

Great Discussion on Overheating issue. Thanks to all for give us advice and solution.

[iplen]

yeah, this thread will be very informative if the radiator in your beetle ever gets blocked....

[Grey89Godzilla]

Would be interesting to see if the pump that was remove had anything wrong with it? If not it was probably an airlock problem to begin with - so maybe keep the old parts for spares.

[NismoCan]

From my experience it sounded like a bad air lock and changing the water pump the last time caused him to unintentionally get the air lock out.