hi guys,

ive only owned a scooby for a little over a month and already ive got a problem

the car is a 98r forester turbo auto import that runs lpg. it has a couple of mods, dump valve, full stainless exhaust and an induction kit.

the problem started a couple of days ago. the car drives fine for a while and stays at "normal" temperature but as soon as ive got to stop for traffic or lights etc it starts to overheat. the gauge goes to about two marks under the red mark and stays there. i havent run it like this for wrong in case it gets even hotter or does damage where it is.

i checked the coolant level today and it was just above the full mark when the engine was stone cold and was about an inch over this mark when it was warmed up to normal. Also the cooling fans came on when the should have.

when the car overheats like this i have noticed that the heaters in the car stop blowing warm air and instead blow cold air nomatter how hot i have it set at.

does anybody have any ideas?

it has been really cold here in Aberdeen recently (-18C sometimes) and i wonder if this has maybe frozen the fluid in the water pump and this has failed??

Cant really think what else it could be apart from head gasket but im REALLY hoping its not that cause im guessing that would be expensive and it couldnt happen at a worse time of year

thanks
jim

 

Sounds like its an air lock.

 

Start with the cheapest, airlock, thermostat, waterpump, H/gkets..

Hope its the cheap option at this time of year mate...

 

hi guys,
thanks for the replys. i havent done anything to the car with it being xmas etc but i had a look at it today. was going to try and get rid of the air lock if there is one but came up against a small issue, namely my lack of knowledge about this engine and lack of general mechanical knowledge. this is where i start to sound completly stupid but i couldnt find the radiator cap on top of the radiator. i had a route around and found what i think is it but just wanted confirmation before continuing. heres a pic of what i think must be it

also, when i took this cap off to have a look i noticed that the rubber inside was pretty ripped and think this might be causing the problems?

thanks again for all your help
jim

 

sorry that pictures didnt seem to work, heres the links to them - http://cid-612f5439d58b07ec.photos.l...r/DSCF7765.JPG

http://cid-612f5439d58b07ec.photos.l...r/DSCF7766.JPG

http://cid-612f5439d58b07ec.photos.l...r/DSCF7767.JPG

 

The cap is goosed so I bet the coolant is boiling. Get a new one and best replace the coolant.

What is going on with the LPG rig? Is it a DIY kit?

 

Yes I thought that. I'll get u new one and do a coolant change and see if that cures it.

As for the LPG kit it was professionally fitted. Why?

 

To bleed the system m8 on your forester is easy if you look at the dip stick just behind it you should see a thin black pipe with a bend on it, with a little white plug pull the plug out and squash a few pipes any air will come out of there.
Also if you drain the system when filling up @ header tank take that same plug out and you will only have to fill it once as all the air is push out of there, hope this helps.
Ps ide also check the thermostat.
Slab

 

Just wanted to say a big thanks to all who replied to this post. With your guidance I drained and replaced the coolant and changed the radiator cap for a new one and (touch wood) it seems to have cured my overheating problems.
Thanks again, I really couldn't have done it without all your input