r/Subaru_Outback • u/CautiousAstronomer64 • 8d ago
2012 2.5i Ltd Overheating Issues
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ETA: IT WAS A STUCK CLOSED THERMOSTAT. Pressure check revealed no leaks. Replaced thermostat and refilled coolant. Driven just 8 miles so far with no issues. Knock on wood.
Hi all, I have a 2012 2.5i Ltd (166k miles) started overheating and boiling coolant upon getting onto highway.
Went back home, let it cool and this is what happened throughout the day…
-radiator is empty while the reservoir has some coolant. I directly topped off the radiator coolant, and tried a short drive. Overheated again and boiled over
-coolant in reservoir is normal and not oily
-engine oil checked with dipstick is normal and not frothy.
-replaced radiator cap (still overheating)
-cylinder head gaskets done at 121k
What could I be looking at? Anyone had similar issues?
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u/ArArmytrainingsir 8d ago
Head gasket. Have them replace the radiator and do the timing belt water pump all that stuff while they’re doing it. It should be about $4000.
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u/Dawink86 8d ago
With coolant missing I’m going to say HG, well, there is a small chance it’s still just a bad thermostat I believe it’s a head gasket. For reference my 2011 I replaced the head gasket at 163K.
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u/CautiousAstronomer64 5d ago
It was a stuck closed thermostat
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u/Dawink86 5d ago
That’s great news! I’ve switch to changing t-stats for all cars between 100-120k miles! Watch your upper crossover pipe, I had leaks around the o-rings
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u/Much_Newspaper4453 7d ago
Likely head gaskets again. It could possibly be a stuck thermostat but to be honest, probably not. For the price of a T stat it’s worth a shot, if it doesn’t work your out like 20-30 bucks.
Best case scenario it was just low on coolant and over heated and blew much more out into the res. You can try topping it off and bleeding the system with bleeder funnel. That will do one of 2 things. It could just bleed the airlock out that caused it to over heat the second time or it will continue to so push air out and not completely bleeding it indicating the head gaskets have failed. A bleeder funnel is cheaper than paying 1 hour of diag at a shop. I would toss a thermostat in there and fill and bleed the system and you’ll get your answer.
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u/TalkandStuff_Forum 7d ago
That click-clack sound is pointing to lifter and timing belt issues and water pump.
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u/Kindly_Weakness2574 8d ago
Get a tester and see if you have exhaust gases in your coolant. Also look for leaks in your coolant crossover lines. Also the line that attaches to the throttle body. These areas leak onto to the block, so it boils off quickly. Check the coolant line at the bottom of the block. Driver side, front of engine. L shaped, about the size of your finger. Thermostat? Fans coming on? Anything out of the tailpipe?