Expert: All Wheel Drive Auto - 10/15/2009

Question
Engine overheats when operating at highway speeds.  The engine stays at normal operating temp when idling.  Head gaskets were recently replaced, thermostat is new, and all timing components have been replaced.  Any ideas?

Answer
Todd,

It could be anything from a poorly made head gasket repair to a restricted radiator, non o.e. type Subaru thermostat, defective cooling fan and the list goes on.

The problem with just stating what repairs have been done is repairs are different from shop to shop and some repairs just don't last, some parts are no where near as good as the Subaru components, so a new aftermarket thermostat mat actually cause an overheating symptom. Head gaskets done in the car rather than out of the car may not last, a repair made with poor quality parts may be suspect.  


The fact that you have these issues after a repair kind of make me suspect something was missed or it could just be something new also.

What ever you do, the car shouldn't be driven until it is repaired.


All I can do from here is speculate, I would start with having a good Subaru shop local to you have a look, not John Doe's repair but a Independent Subaru repair shop.

Justin

http://allwheeldriveauto.com/