1991 Subaru Loyal 4wd wagon

[les benton]

I recently bought a 1991 Loyale. I know nothing about it. I paid $300. The body is good. Everything works. It runs perfect, except; The heat guage shows hot when the motor is hot at all. Around town the heat shows normal. On the highway the guage shows hot right away. When I get off the highway the guage shows normal immediately.The car is not hot. I think the difference in speed is a factor.

The engine light turns "on" after about a mile.

The speedometer does not work. The tacometer works.

Otherwise, I like the car very much. It is my answer to Exxon.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. I am not very mechanical. But not completely helpless.

I also would like to know how the 4WD works. I can't tell if it is engaged or not.

Thank you,

Les Benton

[Turbone]

This might be from the water pump. Seeing how you just got the car, it would also be a good idea to install new timing belts. Fairly easy job but can be tricky for a noob. Theres a description of the change in the USRM here.

If the car is AWD there is no indication that the car is in 4wd, its always engaged. If theres a button on the shifter, then its on demand 4wd and there should be a indicator on the inst panel.

[hooziewhatsit]

it sounds like your speedometer cable is broken between the transmission & the instrument cluster. This will give a CEL roughly a minute after you start moving. Ask me how I know

[Flowmastered87GL]

If your car shows warm on the highway and not warm in town... in most cases that means that the radiator is on its way out.

[azsubaru]

The speedometer does not work. The tacometer works.

Sounds like the speed sensor. This will cause a Code 33 of the ECU and turn on the CEL

[azsubaru]

Around town the heat shows normal. On the highway the guage shows hot right away. When I get off the highway the guage shows normal immediately.

 

First guess - radiator. I just replaced the one in my 91 Loyale, same symptoms. You can get one delivered to your front door for about $130 in Phoenix. Mine showed up about 2 hours after I ordered it from radiator.com. You'll have to call

them at 800-249-8720.

 

2nd guess - and I would check this first - water pump. Not expensive if you an do the work yourself, plus while you're in there, you can replace the timing belts.

[sregor13]

Dont know how many miles are on it, but I would go ahead and take care of all the seals when you do the timing belts and waterpump. You might try and change the thermostat first just because it is cheap and easy. A good radiator flushing might also do the trick. You can do that when you do the belts.

 

I had somehow melted the Speedo Cable on my 90 Loyale. Might be what happened on yours if it running hot. I got one cheap in the Market place.

 

Also my Loyale is full time 4WD. There is a 15Amp Fuse Holder under the hood on the Drivers Side right by the Firewall. When you put a fuse in there it puts the car into front wheel drive for servicing.