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35 Posts
Ok, I've got a bug to work out. I've got a 2003 Outback with about 118,000 miles. I've performed basically all recommended maintenance.
Here are my symptoms. After the engine gets to temp, my heater gets inconsistent. While sitting at a light, the air will often gradually cool down, sometimes feeling almost like air conditioning. Then when I start driving again, the heat comes back pretty quick. It is related to the engine not being at idle, or maybe under some sort of strain.
I recently changed the thermostat and radiator hoses. I've checked to make sure it's full of radiator fluid, and it's full to the top with a little extra in the overflow reservoir. The temp gauge holds right where it needs to be without any big temp spikes.
Any ideas? Is this sounding like a bad water pump? I've never replaced the original water pump. That's my most likely suspect, but if there's a way to verify before I start taking things apart, I'd like to do it.
Any help is appreciated.
Here are my symptoms. After the engine gets to temp, my heater gets inconsistent. While sitting at a light, the air will often gradually cool down, sometimes feeling almost like air conditioning. Then when I start driving again, the heat comes back pretty quick. It is related to the engine not being at idle, or maybe under some sort of strain.
I recently changed the thermostat and radiator hoses. I've checked to make sure it's full of radiator fluid, and it's full to the top with a little extra in the overflow reservoir. The temp gauge holds right where it needs to be without any big temp spikes.
Any ideas? Is this sounding like a bad water pump? I've never replaced the original water pump. That's my most likely suspect, but if there's a way to verify before I start taking things apart, I'd like to do it.
Any help is appreciated.