This is a '98 Subaru Forester.
On my way to work this morning (9 degrees outside) I got off the freeway and glanced at my gauges. My temp gauge was pegged above hot. The vehicle wasn't stumbling or giving any indication that it was hot. The heater was blowing normally, until I slowed down and the air temp (recirc) dropped dramatically. When I revved the engine the air temp went up again.
I pulled off and shut the engine down, leaving the key on to keep the fan going and blow off the hot air. I did not hear the aux. fan and the air temp plummeted. Revving the engine while stopped made the gauge climb, not drop.
Shut the key off, then I got out and opened the hood. No steam, the engine felt normal as I ran my hand above it, nothing glowing. It almost felt like I could touch the block and not get burned. I didn't try it though.
Checked the coolant level and it was fine in the overflow bottle, no steam rising from there. It was too dark to see the condition of the coolant and I left my light at home.
I cranked the engine and the gauge had dropped some. Waited about 5 minutes and tried again and it was in the normal range. I drove to the gym a mile or so down the road and parked it for an hour while I worked out. On the way there the gauge climbed a little, but did not go out of the normal range.
On the 3 mile drive back to work the gauge jumped to normal very quickly, but didn't go beyond that.
So, now you know what I know. Thermostat, temp sensor, computer, clog, air bubbles, or something else? I'm not sure I want to make the 40 mile drive home on the freeway in the snow without having an idea of the source of the problem.
Thanks for your help!
On my way to work this morning (9 degrees outside) I got off the freeway and glanced at my gauges. My temp gauge was pegged above hot. The vehicle wasn't stumbling or giving any indication that it was hot. The heater was blowing normally, until I slowed down and the air temp (recirc) dropped dramatically. When I revved the engine the air temp went up again.
I pulled off and shut the engine down, leaving the key on to keep the fan going and blow off the hot air. I did not hear the aux. fan and the air temp plummeted. Revving the engine while stopped made the gauge climb, not drop.
Shut the key off, then I got out and opened the hood. No steam, the engine felt normal as I ran my hand above it, nothing glowing. It almost felt like I could touch the block and not get burned. I didn't try it though.
Checked the coolant level and it was fine in the overflow bottle, no steam rising from there. It was too dark to see the condition of the coolant and I left my light at home.I cranked the engine and the gauge had dropped some. Waited about 5 minutes and tried again and it was in the normal range. I drove to the gym a mile or so down the road and parked it for an hour while I worked out. On the way there the gauge climbed a little, but did not go out of the normal range.
On the 3 mile drive back to work the gauge jumped to normal very quickly, but didn't go beyond that.
So, now you know what I know. Thermostat, temp sensor, computer, clog, air bubbles, or something else? I'm not sure I want to make the 40 mile drive home on the freeway in the snow without having an idea of the source of the problem.
Thanks for your help!
