Engine overheat and cool air -thermostat?

[gpagmail-news]

Yesterday coming home from work in -10 C, a 26 km drive,

I was getting just cold air through the heater. I was watching the temp

guage all the way home and as I got near my home about 20 minutes in,
the temp guage on my pickup was at the red line.


Once parked in driveway, I noticed the rad pushingbubbling fluid into
the
overflow and could smell hot antifreeze.


I have noticed the past few weeks that the temp guage has been rising
but then would suddenly start to go down esp. if I turned on the heater
and it seemed unusual at the time
so I have been watching it. --yesterday was the first time, it did not
go down. I went for a little drive later that evening and this time,
the temp rose even faster -7 minute drive to move temp guage close to
red and
still no heat from heater.


I assumed/read that you would have one or the other,
that is, engine overheats so thermostat is stuck in closed position
No heat in car so thermostat is stuck in open position.


I seem to have both scenerio's going on.


Any thoughts -is it even the thermostat?
if so, I know the thermostat is relatively inexpensive? should I buy
3rd party or from dealer
and finally, how long/shop time to replace one (I am assuming one hour
or so) and is it worth trying to do it myself?

Many thanks in advance

 

[Phil Marshall]

Yesterday coming home from work in -10 C, a 26 km drive,

I was getting just cold air through the heater. I was watching the temp

Cross-posted to Chrysler and Subaru groups? That must be some mongrel
vehicle you got.

Phil

 

[Michael Pardee]

Cross-posted to Chrysler and Subaru groups? That must be some mongrel
vehicle you got.

Phil

Add Acura to the list. What type of car is this? It really does make a
difference.

Mike

 

[gpagmail-news]

Toyota Pickup 1988

 

[Vanguard]

Cross-posted to Chrysler and Subaru groups? That must be some mongrel
vehicle you got.

Cross-posting? The Newsgroups header in the OP's message only contains a
single newsgroup (this one). Maybe you meant *multi*-posting.

 

[Vanguard]

Toyota Pickup 1988

Then don't post in a specific-topic newsgroup if you aren't going to discuss
a specific brand. This is a SUBARU group! Post in a general group, like
alt.cars or alt.autos. If you want specific help with your Toyota then go
post in alt.autos.toyota!

You never mentioned if you let the engine cool down (so you can remove the
radiator cap without any pressure behind it and let any bubbling settle out)
and check the coolant level in the radiator. If the coolant is too low, it
isn't going to get out the top radiator hose to the engine. You didn't
mention how fast you were driving on your way home. Could be you were on
the highway and had enough speed for airflow to keep the engine cooled off
enough (although you said you had red-lined it by the time you got home).
Besides the thermostat, low coolant level in the radiator can do the same
thing that you mentioned.

 

[johninKY]

No heat from the heater typically is caused by no coolant flow. Reasons
for no coolant flow: sytem has an air pocket, coolant level low, water
pump failing, radiator clogged. You can determine a lot by just touching
things when the engine overheats. Feel all the hoses and the top, center
and bottom of the radiator. Everything that is not hot to the touch
indicates no flow. My money is on a clogged radiator or a failing water
pump. Changing out the thermostat is very easy. No reason why you can't
do it yourself. just don't install it up side down. Unlikely you have a
leaking head gasket or cracked cylinder head but they are also
possibilities.

 

[Rick Courtright]

do it yourself. just don't install it up side down. Unlikely you > have a leaking head gasket or cracked cylinder head but they are also
possibilities.

Hi,

With a 22R engine in his truck, a blown head gasket's at least as likely
as w/ any of the so-called "problem" Subies! (Don't ask me or MANY other
22R owners how I know...)

But the OP should still go thru the simple things you described first.
For a while, the t-stats in these engines were problematic for reasons
unknown (which may have led to a lot of the h/g problems, according to
my machine shop buddy.)

Rick

 

[johninKY]

Didn't know that but what do I know about Toyotas? Never owned one and
just assummed Toyota didn't have problems.

John

 

[Rick Courtright]

just assummed Toyota didn't have problems.

Oh, boy!

Anyone who wants to whine about Subaru headgaskets needs to do some
research on Toyota's 22R (which also eats front crank seals, for all the
folks complaining of Subie oil leaks! ) and their V-6es, several of
which are known for oil leaks and blown headgaskets... again, don't ask
me how I know these things! (Ok, just a single clue: there's one of each
sitting on my driveway this very minute.) And who's heard of a Subie
w/ sludge issues? Take THAT one to a Toyota forum and see what it brings
you! Though in all fairness to Toyota, they're not alone w/ ANY of these
issues, and, overall, still produce a top quality product that's hard to
beat.

Rick

 

[johninKY]

I've owned nothing but Subarus and my 66 Power Wagon I owned before any of
the Subarus for 16 years now. I'm getting too old to learn another make
and will stick with Subarus to the end. Hope to still have the Dodge when
that day comes.

John