Having some serious overheating problems, luckily seems to not be a headgasket but I haven't had much help solving it through the forums or poking around.

I live in Santa Clara, the car heats up pretty quick in stop and go so I don't want to have to drive too far. I know that Speed Element and GST are close, any that are closer to Santa Clara?

Hopefully it is something simple like a bogus thermo, but I want to make sure it is diagnosed properly. Any recommendations, especially on places open to drop off the car tomorrow, would be welcomed.

Thanks guys.

 

I would get your tool box out and replace the thermostat first. if that doesn't work you might as well take it to LIC or a place closer to home is AHQ in Redwood city I think?

 

Do yourself a favor and change the thermostat. For what ever reason these fail in the closed position all the time.

 

Haven't done it yet in a Sub... take it the thermo is underneath, does it require a coolant flush?

Take it this job will take an hour and a half?

 

The thermostat is located behind the elbow on the lower radiator hose. It has two 10mm fasters that holds it in place. Get a large container ( I use on of those clear plastic bins) Loosen the bolts and let the radiator drain. Once it is drained there will be a trickle coming from the theremostatget a screw driver and pry it off. The block will drain quite quickly after the T-stat is removed. Replace the t-stat/elbow and refill. FIll through the turbo coolant resi. squeeze the upper rad hose to burp the system a bit as you are filling. Start it up bring it to temp. Then let it cool. Top off the level in the resi, and the over flow. Done.

 

Word, thanks for the walkthrough. Thermos on Mustangs were much easier

I know this is a frequent debate, but any suggested temperature that is better that I should know? I'm guessing the factory thermo is 180...

 

crucial makes a good aftermarket thermo.

 

I always ran a 160 deg f. Then again I never had a car that ran.LOL

 

EIP racing is near downtown SJ if you want a mechanic to look at it. Paul is a great trouble shooter, they have a wrx as their shop car

 

So it did end up being the thermostat. Stock thermo on a WRX apparently is 170.. I was close.

Ended up having to go to Subaru on Stevens Creek. I've heard all the horror stories, but luckily I only had to go to the parts department for the gasket and it wasn't that bad (besides the fact they only had one guy working the parts counter). But I bet most of the issues are with service and sales...

Thanks for all the help guys.