tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

whatever the issue,be it a simple air lock up to worst case scenario head gasket failing.
it needs to be diagnosed and sorted.
the question is did the dealer sell it on knowing there was a potentially expensive fault with the car?

Dosser

The engine bay all looks pukka, dirt in all the right places and no signs of disturbed nuts / hoses etc, nothing immediately suspicious looking.

I`ve owned a Blob WRX 4 years ago which never skipped a beat so have no experience yet of working under the Impreza bonnet. I`ve owned a 5 series Beemer since which are notorious for cooling problems, I ended up doing a whole cooling system overhaul on mine.

How does the cooling sytem work here though? Is the temp sensor (cooling fan trigger) part of the thermostat/housing itself, in radiator or situated inline in a pipe somewhere?

rob84

iTrader: (5)

Temp sensor is located under the inlet manifold behind the alternator on the water cross over tube.

cold bottom hose, sounds to me like its either badly air locked or water isnt circulating properly.

or as Tommy suggested they've removed the thermostat to mask a potential overheating issue

Dosser

Hmmm.

Think this week i`ll get a sniff test done and a new thermostat & coolant if sniff test brings up nothing.

Thanks again for all your advice i`ll keep you posted

Dosser

Update:

Took it to the main stealers who agree it`s the thermostat, ordered new thermostat for fitting Saturday morning.

Looks a really easy job, but i`m letting them do it so I can get a reciept to send to the dealer I bought the car from

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

why didnt you take it back to where you bought it from,
by doing the work elsewhere they will claim you caused the problem.
if it was me i wouldnt touch it and take it back and let them sort it.
i suspect it has no thermostat to hide overheating hg issues as they are expensive to fix.

Dosser

For a start it`s 50 miles each way so it causes a bit of a headache logistically.
If the stealers reveal a missing thermostat then that`s perfect evidence of a problem as opposed to me finding out and telling him what my findings are.

stedee

iTrader: (4)

i think the stat will be shut not open , the bottom hose would warm up otherwise, the stat being shut stops the bottom hose warming up doesnt it???

to the op as above should have took it back to where you bought it

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

50 miles or the price of a hg change, i know what id rather pay.
regardless of what the dealers find, if the garage you bought the car from are dodgy and know of a fault they will do anything to get out of paying.
by having people mess with the engine you are giving the garage you bought the car from ammo to get out of any claim.
its your car fella but i think you are being foolish not returning it straight away.

stedee

iTrader: (4)

but if the stat is shut how would you get the car to the dealer, if its open or no stat no worries but if its shut you could be in big trouble, i would have phoned them up and sorted something out for them to collect it or get their permission to take it to the dealers and for them to pay the costs

Dosser

The car itself is fantastic, if it`s just a case of sorting out a thermostat / cooling issue then great, if it`s something more sinister it will be going back.

Done a bit more diagnostic today. Have realised that the heater (cabin blowers) blow piping hot when driving. When you stop the heater drastically loses heat and the temp gauge races up to 3/4, but again the engine / radiator don`t feel overly hot. Pull away again and the heat comes back through the cabin and the temperature gauge drops back to just below half.
When the temperature gauge is at at normal just below half, the top hose feels hot, bottom hose warm and fans are off . When stopped the gauge goes up to 3/4 top hose only warm, bottom hose cold and fans are working overtime.

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

I'll bet the thermostat is missing and youv either got cracked heads or blown head gaskets. Take it back
ASAP & demand a full
refund,who knows what other
horrors will be unearthed if you don't.

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

+1

stedee

iTrader: (4)

the stat is shut!!!!!not open guys. if the stat was open it would take ages to warm up and wouldnt overheat at all, the temp gauge would be sitting very low

and be warned if you carrying on driving it, your hg`s will go, may have gone already, the hot water isnt circulating so parts of your engine are getting megahot, these areas may not be by where the temp sensor is so you dont know what temp these areas are at

i can`t believe you`ve been driving it at all knowing you have a overheating problem

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

If the stat was stuck shut temp would go straight up & stay there not fluctuate as described. HG failure means the combustion chamber is forcing air into the cooling system causing air locks making the temp fluctuate as described.Stats are removed to try to mask this.

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

yes this is correct not the other way around. temperature shouldnt fluctuate, if it does it points to the above fault

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

Incedentally the original garage are not legally obliged to pay for work carried out by another garage unless expressly authorised. They could also argue that by taking it to another garage and having it worked on you invalidate their implied warranty..........

Hope it all gets sorted.

Shaun

Dosser

The car warmed up fine on the way to work this morning, 5 mins driving or so and the cabin was nice and warm, no gauge issues (15 mins to work). Suggests to me thermostat stays closed until required then opened at correct coolant temperature.

Drove to stealers this afternoon 15 mins from work no issues. Popped bonnet, scratched head, dropped bonnet, drove sensibly for 15 mins, hit the bypass raced a Mercedes E55 for about 3 miles (as you do) then drove hard round country lanes, drove sensibly back to stealers for around 20 mins. 2 miles from stealers sat at traffic lights again had the symptoms as above (cool cabin air and racing temperature gauge). Pulled off from lights everything back to normal.

Explained to understanding technician who diagnosed as thermostat problem.

BTW oil and water levels still absolutely fine.

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

hopefully it is the thermostat then,odd choice to pay for repairs out of your own pocket, but each to their own good luck hope that sorts it.

stedee

iTrader: (4)

i get what you are saying, but you would expect to lose some ammount of water, steamier than usual in the morning??? and oviously pressurised water system.

any hoo i`m sure we`ll find out soon

an03dr0

Let us know

Dosser

Booked in for Saturday morning. It amazes me that a Subaru dealership doesn`t carry thermostats in stock, otherwise it would have been done today.

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

They don't stock them because they rarely fail. I hope you are one of the lucky few it's worth a try. Good luck.

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

Dosser, I have a perfectly working OEM 78C one out of my STi 5. (I replaced it for a Zero Sports 71C one.)

If you're screwed, I can post it to you? All FOC.

Dosser

Thanks very much, really appreciate the offer Won`t be needing it now though.

Bit of good news today, spoke to the seller who sounded genuinely concerned. He wants the car returning to him asap so he can send it to his local stealers to get to the bottom of the problem.

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

Great! Good to know the seller is taking it seriously.

Personally I reckon it's the HG that's at the beginning of failing, or lifting slightly. As airlocks seem to be getting introduced when boost does. I hope it's not that obviously... But hey, if you're getting it done FOC (as you should).........................

Dosser

Has anyone had head gaskets replaced and then gaskets go again, or does replacement tend to be a permanent cure to what may just be a problem from factory?

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

If the jobs done properly it's a permanent fix,but some people have had crank bearing failure after. A full strip & inspection is recomended & at very least a re shell.

Dosser

Update.

Trader I bought car from took the car and previous owner to Subaru today. Within minutes it was diagnosed as head gasket and possible further problems (pistons) as they say can often be the case. Full rebuild required.

Myself and the trader are in the clear, it`s up to the previous owner or Subaru (whom he bought the car from) where there was some kind of waranty in place, although warranty may not cover an engine rebuild. So whatever the future of the car may be, it`s up to them to sort out the problem properly.

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

so have you been refunded then?