Overheating Forester

[robm]

It is a 2001 Forester, with a little over 100,000 miles on the engine, and almost twice that on the body.

 

THis morning, on the 50 mile commute to work, it started to overheat.  I spotted the temperature climbing, and put it in neutral to coast and put the heat on full..  The temp. dropped as soon as I took off the load.  It would climb again when I put it in gear.  Finally, it seemed to stabilize, and drove the rest of the way to work at 40 - 50 MPH.  Just before the plant, it started to climb again, and I coasted into a parking spot.

 

I had a quick look.  Coolant level looked OK.

 

Any ideas?  Head gaskets? 

 

I hope I can get it home. Maybe time for the Loyale to go back on the road.

Edited October 2, 2014 by robm

[upnorthguy]

When I've had rotted radiators that were missing lots of fins, the reduction in cooling capacity caused overheating (until I turned the heat on...yes, of course this happened in the summer).

 

Also, a bad thermostat (not opening) could prevent proper coolant circulation in the system.  

[Rooster2]

When I've had rotted radiators that were missing lots of fins, the reduction in cooling capacity caused overheating (until I turned the heat on...yes, of course this happened in the summer).

 

Also, a bad thermostat (not opening) could prevent proper coolant circulation in the system.  

Swap out the thermostat and coolant may fix the problem. Don't buy a cheapie thermostat, they don't work well in Subies.

[robm]

It turned out to be low on coolant.  I added a quart from my water bottle, drove ti down the road a mile or 2 to a campsite and filled it up.  It has been rock-solid ever since.  As long as I didn't overheat it enough to compromise the headgaskets it should be OK.

 

I suspect it has the external leak, and I didn't notice before. 

 

New coolant when the snowies go on in November.