Engine overheats unless at highway speeds

Tiny
RYGUYY46
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 SUBARU WRX
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 160,000 MILES
So, my car overheats almost randomly. I had since replaced the water pump, thermostat, main hoses, as well as done 10+ reverse and regular flow, system flushes. My radiator is only a year old, and the fans were replaced at the same time and work properly. Yet when I’m idling my temperatures will go from 80 to 230 in 1-2 minutes and will stay there until I get up to highway speeds. Some days it will go all day without overheating even though it’s rare. I can’t for the life of me figure out what’s wrong with it. The only other thing I can think of is the heater core since my heat doesn’t work at all and when I try and use the heater it causes the car to overheat immediately. I’ve been trying to figure this problem out for the last year. I’ve also done comprehension tests and head gaskets seem okay as well as I haven’t had any coolant getting into the oil at all. I’m at a loss and would like to stop just throwing money at it hoping it works.
Friday, February 25th, 2022 AT 8:13 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Hi,

Do the cooling fans turn on when it is at an idle and getting to the hot range? Also, the idea that the heater doesn't work leads me to think there is air in the system preventing the coolant from properly circulating.

Take a look at the directions below that are for refilling the radiator. Let me know if you have tried this. Also, take a look through this link. It describes how to test for a bad head gasket. You may be getting compressed air into the cooling system causing air blockages. It's just a theory at this point.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Also, let me know when the timing belt was last replaced.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Friday, February 25th, 2022 AT 7:55 PM
Tiny
RYGUYY46
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes, fans kick on when I’m at idle. I also use the no spill funnel and squeeze all lines, as well as turn the heat on full blast to try and burp the system. I replaced the timing belt at the same time as the pump, roughly 6 months ago.
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Friday, February 25th, 2022 AT 9:00 PM
Tiny
RYGUYY46
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Forgot to add that I have tested the oil and was all good on that, no coolant in the oil at all. I haven’t had any bubbles like in the link, in the radiator after doing a thorough system burp. Would it be possible that my car isn’t overheating, and my temperature sensor is just bad and reading faulty?
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Friday, February 25th, 2022 AT 9:05 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Hi,

Based on everything you mentioned, I do suspect it may not be overheating. Two things I need you to check.

First, you mentioned there is no heat. That could be a completely separate issue. With the heater on, start the engine. When the car is at operating temperature and the heater is on high, feel both heater core hoses. Both should be hot. If they are, then chances the heat issue is related to the blend air door in the vehicle. The hoses are under the hood mounted to the firewall. See pic below.

Next, if possible, get your hands on an infrared thermometer. When the gauge indicates the vehicle is overheating, scan the radiator and upper radiator hose to see what temp they are. This will help up determine if it is actually overheating.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Saturday, February 26th, 2022 AT 6:17 PM

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