Subaru Baja coolant temp.

drvam8 · 06-02-2009, 10:33 PM

Coolant temp. rising on highways while in the city stays normal in the middle of the range. Is it indication of water pump problem? Thank's

**pat mcgroin** · 06-03-2009, 09:56 AM

It could be several things.
In no particular order...
Is the fan electric and does it come on?
If not electric is the belt in good shape and tight?
Is the coolant full with no air in the system?
Take the radiator cap to a autoparts store and they can test it to ensure that it is holding pressure.
Have you changed the coolant lately? Was it very discolored? Its possible that the radiator is getting clogged with sediment and not flowing well.
Often times you can take the cap off and with the engine at normal operating temp.look inside and see the coolant flowing through at a good rate.
NOTE: DO NOT TAKE THE CAP OFF when it is already hot. That really hurts.
Also a sticking thermostat could cause these troubles and replacing it and a flush and fill is always a good option.

It could still be the water pump but I would try these first as they are basically free and the easiest.

drvam8 · 06-03-2009, 04:31 PM

Thank you for reply. It is definitely not fans. When I stopped and open the hood both fans were on, and temp. went down to its normal readings pretty quickly. I guess it’s ruled out thermostat as well. Although it was difficult to say for sure but it appeared I’ve heard a new staccato sound with frequency of several Hz when I was at high speed on highway. I checked coolant this morning and it was a little bit low – somewhere in the middle between min and max. I added a little bit but did not have a chance to check if it helped. I did not notice any leaks.

Bopo · 06-03-2009, 06:07 PM

I know this is stating the obvious,

but I presume you have checked the coolant level, also I've heard this can simply be an electrical problem, so maybe test a battery if you have one spare.

**pat mcgroin** · 06-04-2009, 08:30 AM

Are the fins in the radiator clear and unbent?
Also check the AC. radiator if equipped as air must go through it also.

Does the vehicle have a serpintine belt?
Check its condition to be sure it isnt slipping.
Also if you can pop the belt off and rotate the pump shaft by hand.
It should feel tight (no wiggleing) and no ratcheting feel like a bad bearing.
When popping the belt off check the condition of the tensioner. It should feel the same as the pump (nice and smooth) and have good spring tension.

Dont forget to have the cap tested. If it is loosing pressure it will allow the water to heat up and possibly boil.

06-02-2009, 10:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
drvam8 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2 OS: xp, serv. pack 3	Subaru Baja coolant temp. Coolant temp. rising on highways while in the city stays normal in the middle of the range. Is it indication of water pump problem? Thank's

06-03-2009, 09:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
pat mcgroin TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toledo Oh. Posts: 555 OS: XP Professional SP2 Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: Subaru Baja coolant temp. It could be several things. In no particular order... Is the fan electric and does it come on? If not electric is the belt in good shape and tight? Is the coolant full with no air in the system? Take the radiator cap to a autoparts store and they can test it to ensure that it is holding pressure. Have you changed the coolant lately? Was it very discolored? Its possible that the radiator is getting clogged with sediment and not flowing well. Often times you can take the cap off and with the engine at normal operating temp.look inside and see the coolant flowing through at a good rate. NOTE: DO NOT TAKE THE CAP OFF when it is already hot. That really hurts. Also a sticking thermostat could cause these troubles and replacing it and a flush and fill is always a good option. It could still be the water pump but I would try these first as they are basically free and the easiest.

06-03-2009, 04:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
drvam8 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2 OS: xp, serv. pack 3	Re: Subaru Baja coolant temp. Thank you for reply. It is definitely not fans. When I stopped and open the hood both fans were on, and temp. went down to its normal readings pretty quickly. I guess it’s ruled out thermostat as well. Although it was difficult to say for sure but it appeared I’ve heard a new staccato sound with frequency of several Hz when I was at high speed on highway. I checked coolant this morning and it was a little bit low – somewhere in the middle between min and max. I added a little bit but did not have a chance to check if it helped. I did not notice any leaks.

06-03-2009, 06:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
Bopo Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 4 OS: XP	Re: Subaru Baja coolant temp. I know this is stating the obvious, but I presume you have checked the coolant level, also I've heard this can simply be an electrical problem, so maybe test a battery if you have one spare.

06-04-2009, 08:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
pat mcgroin TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toledo Oh. Posts: 555 OS: XP Professional SP2 Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: Subaru Baja coolant temp. Are the fins in the radiator clear and unbent? Also check the AC. radiator if equipped as air must go through it also. Does the vehicle have a serpintine belt? Check its condition to be sure it isnt slipping. Also if you can pop the belt off and rotate the pump shaft by hand. It should feel tight (no wiggleing) and no ratcheting feel like a bad bearing. When popping the belt off check the condition of the tensioner. It should feel the same as the pump (nice and smooth) and have good spring tension. Dont forget to have the cap tested. If it is loosing pressure it will allow the water to heat up and possibly boil.