Subaru Overheating at 150k to 200k Question Answered

[@hankitytankity]

The reservoir hose: It expands and loses the ability to transfer coolant to and from the reservoir and radiator, causing the radiator to lose coolant, causing overheating, causing the head gasket leaking, causing oil to enter the radiator. Symptoms are a weird loss of coolant. Replace the hose with a tighter fitting silicone hose. Observe coolant level. No loss means problem is fixed.

[@MrBowNaxe]

If I ever buy a Subaru, it will because I can always get your help to fix it. Thanks Brian for all your posts.

[@stevensapyak7971]

7.18.22. Check when the water pump was last changed. I’ve seen a worn out impeller cause just this issue! It will not circulate coolant in enough volume to cool the engine, especially when outside temperatures are high⚠️

[@briansmobile1]

I've seen this on rusted out Toyotas and it used to be really common on the VW's that had cracktastic plastic impellers. I went off on this in take 3. Thanks for the comment Steven!

[@SeanBZA]

@@briansmobile1 Yes, but I have VW golf water pump replacement down to an hour now, and the pump is easy to change, only 3 bolts on the block, and 3 hex screws on the pulley. Buy the whole unit with thermostat and housing, and do it that way. then you can simply buy the front, a new thermostat and housing, and fix the old one once it is out, and leave as the spare one for 2 years down the line. Normally the seals leak before the impeller cracks on the aftermarket, though a lot also now have metal fins on the pump.

[@bbikermama]

The lip to my radiator blew off.. that is, the loop connecting to the top hose. The hose blew off while idling, my 2011 outback cannot idle for any length without overheating

[@ralphmccolgan7879]

I found where the coolant tank recovery hose go’s under the top radiator hose gets VAPOR LOCKED . Insulating this little hose from they heat affects of the top radiator hose helped immensely *

[@MrQuispamgolfer]

My 2010 2.5 head gaskets went again at 450 km, I was in denial and replaced everything in the cooling system. Anyway drilling the holes in the flange of the thermostat does work as short term fix. I went from only able to go a few minutes then overheat to almost able to drive the car normally. Just remember to check coolant in rad each day though.

[@MrDoccus]

2020 Legacy with 105,000 miles. Maintenance only except one item which Subaru repaired at no cost to me. Amazing car with great company backup……if ever needed.

[@charleshanks6186]

whatabout just removing the thermostat .

[@SeanBZA]

A lot of thermostats do have that bleeder hole in them already, often with a tiny rivet loose in the hole. Yes bigger ones help, but here it is a prime candidate for radiator stop leak, which is what Subaru does at the 60 000km mark as part of the service. That likely also contributed to the radiator blocking, you need to run it for a few hours to get nice and hot, leave to cool down, then flush the radiator system again with water, run to warm, drain then fill up with antifreeze. Have to get the unused stuff out before it clogs up everything. Preferably bypass the heater hoses while doing this, or it will clog.

[@spencermain6686]

My 2011 Outback 2.5L had the head gaskets replaced at 83k miles due to overheating. Overheated on 3 separate occasions and puked coolant out of the overflow tank. Combustion gasses were being pushed in the cooling system and creating air pockets that stopped coolant flow. I also had black flakes in the overflow tank. The 2010-12 models have a different head gasket design than the earlier models and are MLS, but they still fail.

[@bmeade1287]

What were the black flakes??? Mine has same symptoms. Was it head gasket material

[@spencermain6686]

@@bmeade1287 I don't know for sure, but presumably it was head gasket material.

[@AllenHiLo]

The same problem for my 2011 outback with 150k miles, I used coolant sealant and fixed it for now.

[@hankitytankity]

Happened to 2011 Forester. Oil entered the cooling system with the gases. Removed and overhauled the engine.

[@jenbee1697]

My 2012 outback was overheating & spitting coolant. I took it to a shop they replaced thermostat 4 times thinking it was a part failure. Said they replaced radiator. It started overheating again so I took to Subaru dealer & they told me it’s plugged from stop leak & needs a new engine! The repair shop I took it to before Subaru dealer put stop leak in it. What should I do? It’s my only car.

[@Energikar]

I did a coolent system pressure test and found no head gasket leakage. I am tracking it to the fans. They work when a/c is on but will not come on normal. Changed thermostat. Sensors next..

[@rickw.9298]

Just changed an aftermarket water pump (with similar hot engine symptoms) after 14k miles on my 300k+ outback w/ original engine components. Pump was cavitating creating a look-a-like head gasket problem. IMO the EJ25D does not like aftermarket components.

[@s0nnyburnett]

Yet another reason I stopped buying aftermarket parts. Especially in critical components that can't be changed without great difficulty. Lately a lot of the dealer parts have been cheaper anyway.

[@masterkeyify]

Thank you brotha. This is exactly what's been happening with my 2011 legacy 2.5L with 200k miles, drilling a few 3/16 holes in the thermostat has fixed the problem. Car ain't worth a head gasket job but it runs for now. If it helps anybody my symptom was after a water pump job, the car would flow coolant at idle okay, but when driving it would overheat badly. When I tried to burp the system, if I revved to 2500rpm, coolant would come spurting like crazy out of the cap of the radiator, well beyond typical bubbles. Probably exhaust gasses in the cooling system.

[@TimoTobiasJanen]

I have the same problem. where did you drill the holes in the thermostat?

[@masterkeyify]

@ in the metal portion around the outside. There’s already an inlet on it. Where the rubber gasket seals against the engine Check engine light will come on it throws a code, but you can reset it and it’ll stay off for a day or 2 so you can pass inspection

[@TimoTobiasJanen]

@@masterkeyify Thanks for your help. My Outback 3.0 pumps coolant from the radiator into the expansion tank and no longer back. I suspect the cylinder head gasket is defective. Did the holes in the thermostat help?

[@masterkeyify]

@@TimoTobiasJanen not sure i had the same issue as you, but when i revved the motor, all the coolant would come rushing out the coolant fill and expansion tank. I think the engine is forcing air out the head gasket into the coolant system, the air bubbles clog the thermostat and wont let coolant through, making it overheat. not leaking any oil into coolant or vice versa though. since i drilled the holes the car drives perfectly normally again. i don't understand where all the air goes now, it doesn't really make sense but it seems to be fine

[@TimoTobiasJanen]

@@masterkeyify I thank you for your help. I'll try it out in the next few days and report back. I also have exhaust fumes in the cooling system

[@drivedb7]

Glad I’m not the only one who finds FB to be incredibly irritating. It’s borderline unusable, but ever since Craigslist started charging for their car ads, it’s about the only thing we’re left with. The site is trash and Meta is a terrible company.

[@s0nnyburnett]

WOW, I hadn't noticed they charge for certain types of ads now. FB marketplace blows too. Same idiots not getting back to you, not knowing what the hell they're looking at and not showing up. Wish I could sell all my large unshippable stuff on ebay. So much easier not to have to wait on people who don't show up, tired of it, not even worth the hassle.

[@jedjed9770]

So I'm currently dealing with just this. Except I have already put two holes in thermostat which I also tested to make sure it opens. Waterpump is new and so is thermostat. It was flowing I believe when idling because bottom hose was hot. Took it a mile down the road and overheated, bottom hose is cool.....also has new head gaskets

[@SKYKINGtheJedi]

What happened, did you find the problem?

[@1RexRacer1]

I love that truck, I have a 2003. What is that red thing wrapped in electrical tape on the left side of the battery? I'll dig through your channel for an answer when I have more time.

[@cheyennethompson1701]

I broke my Driver Side Oil Sensor Housing on a 07 Subaru Forester 2.5 sohc. Would you please do a video on Everything about This problem????.. I wish more people knew the danger of cracking your block.

[@guysmiles2822]

So drilling the thermostat is a fix or just a test to help diagnose the problem??

[@JB91710]

I'm not an auto mechanic but if you clicked on my name, you might think differently but you would be wrong. I have a 40K mile 07 EZ30 engine in a scratch-built mid-engine car. Because of a remote radiator location at the front of the car, the pump has to move much more coolant than in the original car. With high pressure created on one side of the pump and low pressure on the other side, can that pump move a higher volume of coolant? I actually have two engines in it, and both are plumbed to the same radiator, but the second engine isn't running so there is stagnant coolant in it's lines. I always thought "A" thermostat allowed water OUT of the engine and into the radiator. Are you saying that on All the Subaru engines that the thermostat allows coolant to go INTO the engine from the radiator, which allows a flow of coolant out of the top of the engine and into the radiator? I have three high spots in the system where I can bleed air out of the hoses and radiator which is much lower than the engine but the hoses pitch down from it. When I ran the engine, it got hot, but I never felt the radiator getting warm. This engine sat around for years in an unheated garage with no coolant in it. Could the thermostat have rusted in the closed position to prevent the flow of coolant? Might there be too much coolant for the pump to move? I'm hoping it is something other than the thermostat because it is in a very hidden location with the custom exhaust in place and I have no lift. Thanks. You're confused, right?

[@sacklifedaily1963]

Im having the same issue with a freshly rebuilt Ej22 from a pro shop. I've been burping the system Non-Stop and could not get the thermostat to open until I drilled a few tiny holes around it. it's just past the 500-mile break-in temps will run up to 210 on the highway. its making bubbling noises when i shut it down. is it possible the new head gasket is failing?

[@CucoNava]

I have a 99 legacy outback with 161xxx miles and it drives good for 30 to 45 min then it heats up. I put coolant in about once a week but not much. My heater doesn’t work. Cold air comes out. I bought the thermostat but the 2 bolts are stripped.

[@FLYBOY-eh5th]

The Bottom hose should feel just as hot as the Top one? What's the point in having a radiator then.

[@FoodForThoughtJams]

Help! My 2010 Outback 2.5L. Overheat light came on. Lower radiator hose was not hot. Replaced thermostat and no change. Removed, tested thermostat in pot of boiling water, which opened at about 210 degrees. Installed. Same issue. I "burped it" and the lower hose is still cold. Next step? Should I try drilling the vent holes in the thermostat? Other suggestions?

[@user-my9hz2fp9w]

did you get this figured out ? having similar issue

[@tomtheplummer7322]

Head gaskets and skipped timing belt. Easter weekend pull the engine with a come a long. Make belt tool. Do the cv joints trans and diff. Drive to work Monday morning. Ez if you take no time to pee see.

[@BobbyTruth01]

I have a 2010 Forester with 187000 miles. I just started having overheating issues. I replaced the thermostat and radiator cap. What should I do Sir?

[@victordiaz3814]

Hi my name is Victor I have a 2011 Subaru Outback 3.6 I replaced the radiator water pump radiator cap thermostat I remove the thermostat put the car gets overheated only when I'm driving it while it's parked it's fine only when I drive it it gets overheated and it starts bubbling what can that be

[@afshar6861]

I hade the some issues with my subaru lagecy outback 1999. I chnage the head gasket. Now car overheating with thermostat and no heat . But I cut a thermostat and heat work s not overheating anymore. But mechanic say ist not good for engine to run for long distance like this

[@sparkystours]

i had overheating prob with my 2002 leg wagon i replaced the radiator and bought a new cap...........i am glad i kept the orig subaru radiator cap that was the prob the new one i bought caused the overheating ...no probs now

[@sleepwalker29]

The factory Subaru thermostats are trash and last 40k miles. Then they get stuck open or closed. Takes too long to heatup, or resavoir overflows.

[@deweygallegos3199]

Getting right to the point is a good thing....

[@CourageousLionStudios]

Hi Brian, my 2011 Outback with 127k miles started to overheat. My uncle who’s a mechanic says it’s burning coolant. He thinks I need a new engine. Do you have any other things to check first before I finance a new engine? Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated!

[@KeepRowing247]

Did you finance a new engine?

[@WyattHerbivore]

why not just replace the thermostat?

[@droy333]

Some thermostats come with holes if I'm not mistaken?

[@briansmobile1]

That's correct. Some also have a brass apparatus to help air pass without getting surface tension stuck.

[@timeforbigchange9417]

That was good info. Thanks

[@j1748g]

I just watched your video and am a bit confused. You said that drilling little holes in the thermostat to relieve the pressure would help, but you are showing a radiator cap while discussing this. Should the holes be drilled in the thermostaat, or in the radiator cap?

[@uniqueNewyork_]

Listen carefully. He says pretend* this is a thermostat.

[@SuperMarushchak]

Please, write me what i have to do expertly.. because my english is still bad..

[@corycrawford-ip6hx]

I have a 2002 subaru wrx ej20 2.0 and I’m having overheating problems because it don’t overheat just idling it just overheat when you drive it is there any way you can help me

[@bigeyejim]

Maaaaaannnnnn, I just replace my thermostat on my daughter's 2010 OBW. Still overheated.

[@trevkuehn3722]

I have a 2011 WRX car over heats the resivor fills up to the top. no leaks I changed the thermostat burped the system but I keep getting air into the system some how

[@flandrble]

mine does the same over the course of about two weeks, seems to work fine for a while then suddenly, air in system, bottom hose cold, and coolant in the overflow not being sucked back in when cold. Still doing it after a major service, so currently waiting for replacement radiator and expansion caps to see if it's an issue with the caps. Compression and TeeKay tests came back good, no bubbles in the overflow when engine is hot.

[@subarutime5089]

I miss your Subaru vids😢

[@stalekristiansen2942]

I have a overheating problem and my upper radiator hose is warm and the lower is cold….what could be the problem?

[@mrmotorvator5151]

Thermostat,airlock,blocked rad,waterpump,hesdgasket..Buy a no spill funnel and check for airlocks in cooling system first,buy a carbon test kit and check for carbon monoxide in coolant first.. Pointless wasting money on parts before you've checked the basics

[@3obardThawn3]

What if it overheats at 84.000 miles???

[@aroundlinemen]

Great video, thanks

[@jasonrevill861]

My Subaru 2002 outback 2.5. I can drive 3-4 miles the temp gauge runs normally then suddenly jumps up into the red. I don't have any leaks. It doesn't jump up if I push the car to 3-4k revs. There's no boiling or steam. If I run the AC On hot the temp gauge eventually stabilizes and I can continue to drive normally. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

[@tarzaan2603]

Ive been having similar issues with my 03 outback. But my car is also pushing the coolant out into the overflow tank while driving normally (not overheating) but wont pull any coolant back into the radiator when it cools off overnight. Wtf

[@alexchi2423]

This happened on my 01’ Forester. Took a few trials to figure out, but it ended up being bad radiator cap. Bought another new OEM cap, found out the gasket under the cap needed to be doubled up to create a tight seal between the cap and radiator. Use the old gasket under old cap and add it to new radiator cap. So now the coolant can be sucked back into system when car starts warming up.

[@IS-217]

HEY THERE. I'm hoping you can give me some advice and point me in the right direction. I own a 2015 forester auto 2.5l limited model. Lately after driving it (regular trip to and from work about 40 mins one way) I've noticed it to be really warm / hot and a slight hot coolant smell. I haven't seen the fans kick on when idling in my driveway after the drive home and the top rad hose is super hot but lower hose not at all just warm (from engine I would guess). Do you think I have a thermostat issue? What would be my best bet trying to figure this out. Would greatly appreciate you input. 2 different subaru dealers have told me they rarely vs never replaced one. Makes me second guess doing the job but looks like an easy job to do and not very pricy. At least it would eliiminate one possible cause of my heat issue. Sounds like this could be my problem. Wondering about Rad itself. Seems to be in great shape by looking at it. This is my wifes vehicle and she is a stay at home mom so doesn't use it very much. Any help advice is welcome. Thanks

[@Tiger2Tone]

Smells like classic Subaru head gasket to me. :(

[@williamschwarz9651]

Hi i got exactly the same symptoms on my '06 2.5i outback minus the overheating. The coolant just burst through the radiator cap(I did change it twice) on city driving mostly! Can anybody help pls? Thanks in advance.

[@alexchi2423]

Double up the rubber gasket under the new or old radiator cap.

[@fleonard4]

This video really saved my butt. Will NEVER get a Subaru or recomend one, and I thought they were good little cars. They are complete junk once something fails. They are literally disposable. It costs somewhere between $900 and $1800 to change a $50 water pump, because you have to disassemble the whole front of the motor, change all of the bearings, pulleys, pump, seals, tensioner, etc.... Had to pick up a $300 kit, and wasn't going to pay a mechanic $900 to install it. Fortunately, I can return it. It's the head gasket exactly as this video describes. Had all of these symptoms, and I had already tried the thermostat and cap. Fortunately, I found this video before going to the water pump. I really felt that it was not the pump. I hollowed out one of the thermostats, and problem solved, proving it's the head gasket. I am just wondering how much longer it will last now. The car is not worth the cost of the repair. for anyone else considering it, it would cost more to change a head gasket then to pick up a whole crate motor, and the gasket cannot be changed without pulling the motor. There are't traditional heads on the motor. It's a POS motor, with the head out the side. A total cluster fk of a car.

[@fleonard4]

I do think there are newer models where they at least put a real water pump layout on it, where you can get to the pump with 4 bolts.

[@ericbengtson3490]

Always burp your Subaru.

[@robertkendrick9103]

How to burb it

[@ralphmccolgan7879]

I On a H6 cooling system

[@eng.algareebsaudi1648]

Do not buy subaru over 2013

[@chrissmithz314]

This video @3:10 "Burp an Overheating Subaru After Service" March 11, 2015 That video @ 5:00

[@johannstander229]

First! 😁

[@abelmarimon5715]

atoyot😂😂😂😂

[@Vader1957]

Best advice: Don't buy a Subaru.

[@s0nnyburnett]

Don't buy one that hasn't had the head gaskets done. Vehicle is fine, 10 years never had any stupid little problems you get with some makes.

[@SeanBZA]

They are fun to drive though, unassuming little pocket rockets for sure. Even the station wagons are no slouch in the move department, though cornering can become a little hairy.

[@TheMechanicj]

Bought a cheapo outback for my mom course it had head gaskets issue pulled the engine swapped the gasket with mls turbo engine gaskets cost me a day laboer and like 100$ in parts she has over 100k on the new gaskets and 260 on the car no other issues

[@tambosnipes1652]

Honestly their really good engines ibhave had 5 subaru and only my last one and only oldest one has problems

[@Shaolin_way]

Better advice: buy a subaru that is either turbocharged or has the improved headgasket. The headgasket issue is not that big, usually it's due to neglect or people beating on the car.

[@subaruenduro]

Whah the f***