1998 Subaru Forester Thermostat

1998 SUBARU FORESTER
130,000 MILES
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JMFG333
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Just installed a thermostat on a 98 suburu forester that did not have one to begin with. Car was overheating and my first thought was to check the thermostat. after installation and draining coolant i replaced with new 50/50 coolant. turned car on, took for test drive and now car is in worse shape then before.

1: how did the car drive for so long without thermostat to begin?

2: what could be causing it to act up worse then before with new parts and fluid?
Oct 1, 2013 at 3:10 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 110,190 POSTS
Actually, I have seen cars without t-stats overheat because the coolant didn't have time to cool in the radiator with a full flow. However, my concern is that you replaced it and now it's worse. Did you try flushing the radiator? It could be plugging. Also, make sure none of the radiator hoses are collapsed or collapsing when it gets hot.

Let me know.
Oct 1, 2013 at 5:44 PM
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