1991 legacy ss over heating issue

[jerelm]

So i have a 1991 legacy ss.. The issue is whenever i stop and let it idle it starts to get hot..it neverccompletely overheats but it gets 2/3 the way up on the temperature gauge.. I'm wondering if this is a common issue with the turbos? And is it a head gasket possibly? I appreciate all the input and want to solve the issue asap.. Thanks Jerel

[robertpaige]

Are you checking your coolant level frequently and noticing any coolant loss?

[rallyak]

Are the fans kicking on?

[mike-tracy]

Sounds like you might need to replace the thermostat with an OEM Subaru one, and replace the lost fluids.

[jerelm]

There is no coolant lost.. I hear 1 fan working.. Could the secondary not be kicking on? It cool wherever i drive to..once it stops and idles it gets warm.. Coolant is green and the right level

[Legacy777]

Both fans should kick on, but even then, one fan should be enough to keep it cool.

How long has it been doing this? What maintenance have you performed recently?

[jerelm]

I didn't drive the car for a year.. Put a transmission in it last week and it just get warm when its sitting for a while idling..

[robertpaige]

Relace your coolant temp sensor and your thermostat, both easy things to do. Then see if your issue still persists.

[rallyak]

I would burp the coolant system to be sure all the air is out. It kinda sounds like air in the system.

How dose your heater work?
The reason I asked, when my heater core was plugged, it would creep up in the summer time at low rpm.

[kimokalihi]

Get yourself and easy fill coolant funnel from amazon. One of the most useful tools I own. Connect to radiator or coolant tank and fill it up with coolant/distiller water 50/50 mix. Turn the car on And let it idle for hAlf an hour on a flat surface or slight I cline nose high. The thermostat will eventually open and circulate any air out and the funnel burps the system for you. Don't get impatient. 30 mins! Needs to be operating temp. See if the heat works well at this point. Should be pretty hot. If not, your heater core is clogged. If its good, replace the temp sensors and oem Subaru radiator cap Nd thermostat. No parts store crap parts. Then report back.

[jerelm]

The heater blows hot.. I drive it to work today and it got warm again but cooled itself down.. I'm guessing its a head gaskforet..however it didn't get to the checkers on the red line on the temp gauge..its starting to piss me off..

[kimokalihi]

Do what I said above and get a hydrocarbon headgasket tester kit from the parts store and test your coolant to see if the head gasket has blown.