My Wagon died from heat exhaustion,... WHY

[ausubaru92]

There was a crash on the highway where a police paddy wagon clipped a Corolla, (1 fatality, 1 serious condition) traffic backed up for ages.

anyway,.. i was in the traffic with the air-con on for about 15 minutes, (36 deg.c afternoon) when the traffic started moving, i noticed my engine was idling realy low, but as soon as i put it into gear it went wierd. It spluttered, choughed and stallled, as soon as i put the engine under load it would die. WHY

Temp gauge was up about 1/2 (usually sits at about 1/4)

I tried a few more times but no luck, so i sat there and talked to the traffic directors for about 20 minutes

 

After that i tried again, a bit better until i gave it WOT for a few seconds in neutral, and after that it was fine, WHY????

[GLCraig]

It could have been a case of vapor lock, but that's just a guess.

[85Sub4WD]

You may have run the battery down b/c these car's alternators do not provide enough power to keep the battery charged at idle.

 

I think vaporlock is a strong possibility too.

[naru]

WOT won`t cure vapour lock and battery problems would have been evidenced by slow cranking.A quick rev wouldn`t charge the battery.

 

I think fuel in the float bowl percolated in the high heat

resulting in a too rich mixture and possibly a fouled plug.Your WOT "Italian tune-up" cleared the extra fuel and dried the plug(s).

[ausubaru92]

It wasn't battery problems, i tried to start it 6 or so times with no evidence of low batttery.

 

The biggest issue was that it would idle and rev, but soon as I put into gear and let out the clutch, it would die, even if I gave it like half throttle and rode the clutch:banghead:

 

If it happens again i will see if WOT works straight away, it looks like its gonna be another scorcher today

 

Thanks for your responses, I was kinda worried it mite be something more serious

[naru]

If you prefer to worry,I`ve seen a bad head gasket do much the same.WOT clears the coolant fouled plug.Loosing any coolant?

[ausubaru92]

I havent noticed a loss of coolantToday it ran fine, but this afternoon, it wont idle, dies instantly when i remove my foot from the accelerator, but it seems to run normally once its reving

 

Has my mixture or idle setting changed since I overheated yesterday?

 

I'm planning a SPFI conversion once i can find parts ect. (the wreckers want $300 just for the ECU and Injector body)

[stinky]

strange, it should easily run at 1/2 guage temp, I drove mine 100kms with the needle just below red on the way back from Double Island Point coz my thermos were playing up, no problems.

 

not really much else constructive to add to that.

 

btw, love the subaru nut inside icon .. got a bigger copy? would make an excellent vinyl decal.

[ausubaru92]

I took off the air filter cover and started the engine, i could hear a loud sucking air sound i have never heard before, but it would die after about 3 seconds

[naru]

I took off the air filter cover and started the engine, i could hear a loud sucking air sound i have never heard before, but it would die after about 3 seconds

 

Hmmm...It gets a little stranger.If that sound is really new,I would suggest that the carby secondary barrel may be sticking open slightly.

 

I would have a look at the plugs as well as consider some not necessarily heat releated items like: carb flooding,anti-diesel solenoid,sticking EGR,vacuum leaks etc.

[ausubaru92]

Still wont idle,... dies at every intersection and stop sign:banghead:

But runs fine on the highway (did 300 km's today without any trouble, cruise at 100km/h all the way)

 

Does a carb normally produce a sucking/restricted vaccum sound with the air cleaner off? Secondary valve looks shut

 

Could the overheating have changed my idle mixture or the idle setting?

 

My temp gauge never leaves the 1/4 range mark (except on tuesday)

 

Here is that picture (i hope this is how to post it)