2003 subaru outback overheating

Asked by Debbie1970 Feb 17, 2013 at 04:00 PM about the 2003 Subaru Outback Base Wagon

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

changed thermostat still overheats whats wrong

8 Answers

you're getting good flow, because I've seen it to where all the fins off the water pump were corroded off and the thing went round and round and practically no flow came off of it. Just for funzies could grab the shaft and give it a little wiggle up and down round and round to see if it has enough play to warrant replacement

3 people found this helpful.
6,935

How much mileage is on the Outback? It's likely the head gasket, but I've also seen radiators become somewhat clogged over time and contribute to overheating. Other head gasket clues include milky oil and coolant that smells like exhaust when they mix. Additionally: If your car does overheat badly once, it can cause the antifreeze to crystallize in the coolant passages of your engine, causing it to overheat even worse all over again.

5 people found this helpful.
340

I had my subaru compression tested and it was fine..I just went through the same thing. Heads done last year, water pump and belt to....I even replaced the water pump and belt again but it's still running hot...Has good compression, no mixing of anti freeze in oil, no what smoke, heat works great, new therosate, etc,, If you fine out why it runs hot, let me know

11 people found this helpful.
10

Everything works on mine but still overheats just trying to get some input on how to fix this problem nobody seems to know if anybody knows please give me a call 269 317 1319 thank you

1 people found this helpful.
40

Compression test will not show the new head gasket leaks. Instead, rotate each piston until all valves are closed on one cylinder at a time and put compressed air (shop air on compression test hose) into spark plug hole. Before you do fill and take off radiator cap. When you put compressed air in cylinder, check radiator opening for tiny bubbles like outa your bong. Head gaskets don't fail like your Pawpaws car did.

3 people found this helpful.
40

2003 H6 Automatic, Pulled the engine, removed the heads, checked gaskets, marginal but not really blown. Had the heads shaved flat (removed 9 thousandths on both sides), reinstalled per Subaru specs. Water pump perfect, installed new high dollar thermostat with weep hole at the top. Only 110k on car. Burped the crap out of the cooling system, all fans working, good flow. Even went so far as to use a bottle of K seal just to make sure. Starts out ok, then within 2 miles on highway, lose all heat from heaters in car, engine goes right to hot. I pull over, rev the engine a few times, coolant starts moving again, heat pours out of heater vents, engine cools and I'm good to go for a couple more miles. Then we do it all over again. Never lose a drop of anti freeze nor is there ever any anti freeze in the oil but system is under a lot of pressure judging by the hose firmness after it heats up. I am so done with this piece of crap. About ready to smash it flat and sell it for salvage.

3 people found this helpful.

@bill same thing happening with mine 2003 h6 Ll bean edition removed radiator new hoses new thermostat and new head gaskets and the hoses seem like theyre about to pop of how firm they are im tired of throwing money on this piece of crap.

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