Still No Warm/Hot Air & Overheating

[blackmedal]

I just finished following Warrior' awesome DIY Timing Belt & Waterpump write-up. While I was in there I also replaced the thermostat.

Started the car up this morning, and no problems! WOOT! Timing was good, idle was a bit higher than normal but it ended up lowering as the car warmed up. I slowly kept the radiator topped off with coolant as the car was warming up. The temp gauge started moving so that was a sign that the thermostat install went well. I let the car run for 10 minutes in the garage and the temp went up to just below the half way mark, the usual spot. So everything seemed great.

Unfortunately, there is still no warm/hot air coming out and as soon as I went to take the car for a freedom spin around the neighborhood it started to overheat. The coolant capacity is 6.3 liters, according to the Haynes Manual for a 2.5L engine. I'd say that I have only put in about 3-3.5 liters as the radiator is topped off and will only take a 1/4 cup of coolant at a time.

Should I keep filling the radiator with coolant until I have used all my coolant mixture (6 liters at 50/50 mix) even though it's not taking very much at a time?

Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated. Thanks and Happy Holidays.

[Baddog]

I think there is a bleeder screw next to the thermostat IIRC.

[blackmedal]

I think there is a bleeder screw next to the thermostat IIRC.

Hmm ok I'll take a peak at that. I know there is a bleeder valve on the passenger side of the radiator, at the top by the hose going from the radiator to the engine. I kept that open as a I was filling the radiator with coolant. Thanks.

[httrdd]

Put the car on ramps, open the rad cap, get up to normal operating temp, and this will get the air out. You can squeeze the lower rad hose to burp faster. You have air trapped in you heater core it sounds like.

[StatGSR]

^ try that, did you have your heat set to hot while you where filling?

[blackmedal]

Thanks guys for your advice. It was a fatty air bubble that the Subby had to burp out! I followed mike-tracy's bleeder/burping instructions and after a couple of cycles all is well. I think I will have to start a member ride thread too to spread the love! I appreciate the responses, happy holidays.

[mike-tracy]

Glad that worked! I wonder how many EJ engines were ruined by shops or others who didn't bleed the system properly. :-(

[blackmedal]

Hey, wasn't sure if you still frequented the forums. Thanks a bunch man, I was went into overanalyzer mode when there wasn't any warm air and the car overheated! I was immediately thinking that I didn't properly install or seal the waterpump, the heater core was clogged, or the something else! I'm sure a LOT of people have taken apart their cars, replaced parts unnecessarily, or gone into freak out mode (including me) due to a couple of air bubbles! Thanks again.

[Dictater]

Hey just curious if you have a link to the thread? I'm having similar problems and figured I would give it the good old college try.

[blackmedal]

Hey just curious if you have a link to the thread? I'm having similar problems and figured I would give it the good old college try.
Yup. Here it is. There is also a handy link to a Subaru service manual pdf.

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=17700&p=198982#p198982 (http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=17700&p=198982#p198982)

Hope that helps.

[SOREN]

I've been there for sure. Totally know about the over-analyzer mode.. :D