Urge Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 OK...on a road-trip today, engine overheated once. Pulled off, it cooled. Restarted and all was well. This was the second time this happened in the last 6 months (almost identical circumstances, both times, noticed gauge rising before it pegged and pulled over ). Took it to the dealer this time suspecting a faulty thermostat. They ran tests, and I quote the results: "Confermed (sic) overheating did compression test all 140PSI did leak done test all have 2% leakage with block tester found hydrocarbons in coolant call will need new short block recomend (sic) water bump + t-stat....fan both working at this time fan cycling at 180off + 250on both are correct..." And then I was advised I'd need a new engine at a cost of $4000+ Soooo...car still runs, not apparent smokey exhaust, doesn't overheat everytime I drive it. Question...trade it in? Buy a new engine? Swap an engine? A few things to consider. Have 4 new tires on it with less than 1K miles. Needs an exhaust system, brakes soon, same clutch (car has 91K on it) and the dealer noted the "rear diff leaking at cover". I also have a friend who has a 2000 LGT that was salvaged from a roll-over. He is selling for ~$10K and will make a deal with me. If you were in my shoes, what would you do? (besides cry...did that...to no avail.) Appreciate all comments. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fzanetti Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Dude, either finance a brand new LGT, or try to buy an WRX engine from a wrecked or salvaged car... Good luck, Flavio Zanetti Boston, MA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aczwild Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Can you use your heater? I'm thinking that the headgaskets on your GT are going (very common for the old 2.5 engines). What you have described happened to me with my GT at 70,000 miles. Have the dealer check the headgaskets, this is alot cheaper than replacing the engine and in the meantime, try not to drive it because you are damaging the engine further. I'd really just ask them to check the headgaskets because no one wants to spend 4k. My apologies that your GT is malfunctioning and I hope that you can get some help. JDM'd All to hell Thanks Jimmy @ Hkc-Speed.com! RIP Coxx & Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urge Posted November 10, 2005 Author Share Posted November 10, 2005 heater works fine...always has...was using it today when this happened...it seems spotty, and I still suspect the thermostat...sometimes I have to cycle the engine off & on to get the fans to work...this is when it has been in an overheating situation... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
low_suby_wagon Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 The thing that puzzles me is that you say this has only happened 2 times in 6 months. You can't argue if they did indeed find hydocarbons in the antifreeze, but I am thinking about a sticky fan relay, or a colapsing lower radiator hose. Did they change the thermostat or just say it's ok? my wifes 98 LGT had one that stuck occasionally. Hook the car up to a snap-on brand mantis it is much more better at diagnosing this kinda problem, than say the obd 2 machine. good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urge Posted November 10, 2005 Author Share Posted November 10, 2005 They said the thermostat was fine....I question that seriously, since I have put a few thousand miles on the car since the last "overheat" and that was resolved in a parking lot waiting a few minutes while the fan ran...in summer heat...then nothing...now this...I'm going to get a second opinion from some Subie specialists in my area on that one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
low_suby_wagon Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 They way if fixed the problem in wifes gt was took out the old one boiled it, then boiled the new one (same temp thermostats) the new one opened right up, but the old one took a long time. after the change car is fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aczwild Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 When my headgaskets went I had no heat period in the middle of December, froze my ass off and couldnt figure it out until the engine temp spiked. I think you do have a small leak in the headgasket, talk with the next shop you go to and with 91k I'd say the headgaskets are on their way out. JDM'd All to hell Thanks Jimmy @ Hkc-Speed.com! RIP Coxx & Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urge Posted November 10, 2005 Author Share Posted November 10, 2005 Just ran a short errand to the store...7 miles total....heater works fine...temp gauge reacted normally...didn't make it off C until I almost to destination, stayed in low end of normal range the rest of the time....methinks it's not (yet) as serious as the dealer said. Second opinion, here I come...I appreciate all the input...I might actually sleep tonight...:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aczwild Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Good to hear. Just remember the next time it decides to over heat that driving it while the temp guage is spiking, really isnt a good idea and will cause more damage than necessary to keep driving it around. Best of luck and welcome to the board and wait, by the pic for your avitar, we have us another silver GT (or white, my eyes play tricks when the pics in B&W). JDM'd All to hell Thanks Jimmy @ Hkc-Speed.com! RIP Coxx & Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mccorry Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 My $0.02... the themostat is sticking.... I'd spend a couple $$ and replace it yourself... then see if the problem happens again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urge Posted November 11, 2005 Author Share Posted November 11, 2005 Latest report - drove 140 miles back home with zero incidents. (I do NOT drive the speed limit, lol.) So I'm beginning to believe it's the t-stat or something else. But some questions, so I'm better prepared when I take it to a specialist this weekend: How can the hydrocarbons be accounted for in the coolant? How common is radiator cap failure in producing a pressure test that leaks? The dealer claims if the engine overheats just once, it's probably cracked....how true is this? The two times I have noticed the temp rising I have immediately stopped, so it has never been run for any length of time while pegged. What tests can be done to determine the safety and performance of this engine? (I make an average of two 350+ mile r/t a month and my Christmas trek is 1200 mi r/t.) At 91K, should I just replace the headgasket anyway? What is the significance of the rear differential leaking at the cover? The dealer noted this, but never elaborated. What is everyone's opion of the last generation Legacy? The '00-04 model? I still have that GT I can buy cheap-ish. I am so glad I joined this group. If not for you guys, I'd be a basket-case by now. Or buying a car I really didn't want because I needed good transportation fast. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urge Posted November 11, 2005 Author Share Posted November 11, 2005 Thanks, Jordan is silver! The best colour in this body style in my unbiased opinion, LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aczwild Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 The last gen is the ugliest, by far and like I said before its nice to have another Silver '97 here (I think white is the best though, but silver is right there with it) JDM'd All to hell Thanks Jimmy @ Hkc-Speed.com! RIP Coxx & Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDW25gt Posted November 22, 2005 Share Posted November 22, 2005 OK I have a 99 LGT wagon silver. The overflow tank would fill up at 1st. over the next year it got worse, overflow tank would overflow. Then car started over heating bad. Very dictinct smell of oil in overflow tank and gunk. Do you see bubbles in overflow when running? If all this is the case you likely have a blown HG. Have the shop do a compression test and watch for bubbles in overflow tank. If this is the case start with the HG. If heads are cracked get new and be done with it. In the end I ended up with a new engine. Look at it this way we have the best looking body style. Lets keep them running. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urge Posted November 23, 2005 Author Share Posted November 23, 2005 Final update: Took my car to Speen St Automotive in Framingham, MA based on input from this and other sites. What a great experience! I recommend these guys to anyone who owns a Subie. Based on my symptoms, they replaced the timing belt, water pump and t-stat. Flushed and refilled the cooling system. Told me they didn't think there was any engine damage, that the car I had was strong. So far, nothing has re-occurred. I have noticed the car takes a bit longer to heat up into the normal operating zone than before, which makes me think even more that it was the t-stat causing this. Fingers are crossed, but I think I dodged a bullet. I'll update after my 1200+ r/t home for Christmas. Thanks to everyone for all their help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llaprad1 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 1. If you think it might be the t-stat, know for sure; buy a new one, remove the old one, and put both in boiling water, comparing the time it takes to open for both. This was mentioned in a previous post. 2. I'm not 100% about Legacys, but this is true for Sentra SE-Rs: Your block will not crack if you overheat just once. (unless you drive it around for hours) 3. Has your car ever sat around? If so, your heater core could be going (though you said you have heat fine). Or you could have rusty blackages in your radiator. I doubt it...my 91 SE-R is going on 14 yrs old, and I just now have this. You can also tell with the coolant "orange-ing" from rust. 4. Have you bled the coolant? Longshot, but had to ask. 5. Have you checked to make sure your timing isn't too advanced, accidentally. Theoretically, the knock sensor should take care of this, but, eh. 6. I've never heard of radiator cap failure. If unsure, get one from Autozone. What, $5? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mranlet Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 Sounds like you got yourself a new mechanic Just FYI: If you're getting oil in the coolant or overflow tank, or burning off steam and drinking coolant, your head gaskets are blown. If you have a leaky radiator cap, you're going to notice a leak in testing. The rear diff might just be spitting out a little oil out of the breather. Check to make sure that yours isn't cracked. Overheading an engine badly can cause rod knock and other serious damage, but if you caught it before things got bad you should be ok. I think what the dealer is talking about is when the old lady will drive until there is steam coming out from under the hood and the car yells "Danger Will Robinson!!" A thermostat replacement isn't a bad idea ever really. Usually testing the thermostat is #2 on the troubleshooting process for overheating after making sure that the radiator has coolant. Knowing the dealership, they probably looked at it and said "no tears, looks ok". Hope that the problem is sorted for you permenently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbroo Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 I knew a girl with a 99' outback her car was the same way so she had to also get a new engine, I found out that all she had to do was replace the head gaskets, there crucial. I got mine replaced two weeks ago now my engine sounds like a champ, well besides my sensors going out so check the gaskets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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