# 2007 Subaru Tribeca - Overheats **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** subaru\ **Created:** [February 10, 2022, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417 "2022-02-10T17:44:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![M.A.B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@M.A.B](https://community.cartalk.com/u/M.A.B)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2022, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417/1 "2022-02-10T17:44:34Z")
2007 b9 have overheating issues ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2022, 12:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417/2 "2022-02-11T12:08:34Z")
Simple answer, get it fixed. **Fifteen year old** vehicle. How often was the cooling system serviced? By now you may very well have a clogged radiator. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2022, 6:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417/3 "2022-02-11T18:58:45Z")
> [@Purebred](#): > > By now you may very well have a clogged radiator. Or a blown head gasket…'cause Subaru! ---
**Author:** ![M.A.B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@M.A.B](https://community.cartalk.com/u/M.A.B)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2022, 7:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417/4 "2022-02-11T19:21:46Z")
the radiator was replaced \>\<130k miles , before that there was a rad hose that burst thanks ---
**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2022, 7:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417/5 "2022-02-11T19:38:50Z")
Here’s another vote for possible head gasket issue… ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2022, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417/6 "2022-02-11T21:47:40Z")
Yep, in as much as the radiator was replaced, agree with head gasket. ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2022, 9:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417/7 "2022-02-11T21:52:41Z")
are your radiator fans coming on? ---
**Author:** ![M.A.B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@M.A.B](https://community.cartalk.com/u/M.A.B)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 1:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417/8 "2022-02-12T01:11:20Z")
yes the fans come on , any idea of what is involved to say repair head gasket (to clear up the radiator was replaced @ when the car had 130 K miles) thanks ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 3:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417/10 "2022-02-12T03:23:08Z")
This Subaru has the 3.0 liter 6-cylinder engine. Not enough information provided to believe the head gasket(s) are leaking. If a technician had stated the head gasket was leaking without giving a thorough explanation, these people would reject that diagnosis. ---
**Author:** ![Vanman1920](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Vanman1920](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Vanman1920)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 3:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417/11 "2022-02-12T03:29:04Z")
If it is not the 2.5 L I might suggest to keep looking. If it has a head gasket leak it can be checked with a block check. [How to test for a blown head gasket with a block tester - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riF5hdhz0wM) This is a video on how the test is completed. It does not seem like it would work but I have used it first hand, and it works very well. Very quick and accurate test, once you know that you have a leak the next task is located which cylinder head it is coming from ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 3:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417/12 "2022-02-12T03:34:15Z")
I don’t know about Subaru’s. But since we do not know how long it has been since you changed the radiator, it could have been just done for all we know. did you bleed the air out of the system? there can be an air pocket. did you change the thermostat? it could be stuck closed. ---
**Author:** ![M.A.B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@M.A.B](https://community.cartalk.com/u/M.A.B)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 6:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417/13 "2022-02-12T18:52:11Z")
the radiator was done approximately (the car has not used for the last 6 mo at least ) 2 years ago at that time the thermostat was done rad cap one new rad hose , the car was used after the new rad etc. the problem was it would use antifreeze a liter every 200 miles for the first while then it kept getting worse ,Subaru mechanic said that the head gasket are gone . @ this point I would like to know which is the best way to fix , Get a used engine or have heads done . By the way I went and ran the unit the tail pipes exhaust is white which means water is present as i was told . thanks m.b. ---
**Author:** ![Vanman1920](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Vanman1920](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Vanman1920)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 6:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417/14 "2022-02-12T18:54:45Z")
White smoke is an indicator of a internal coolant leak. Have you taken a look at the video I showed you, it is a tool that a local mechanic should have. If you wanted to purchase yourself they are not that expensive. You could determine if you have a head gasket leak ---
**Author:** ![M.A.B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@M.A.B](https://community.cartalk.com/u/M.A.B)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 7:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417/15 "2022-02-12T19:02:43Z")
No i have not looked at the video I am not that computer savy would you send it to me again thanks m.b. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 7:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417/16 "2022-02-12T19:14:09Z")
To check for a blown head gasket, remove the radiator cap when the engine is cold. Start the engine, and while the engine is idling, watch the coolant in the radiator. If bubbles begin to form in the coolant, a head gasket is leaking. [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/d/5/d59119110093c6b92ce3ea1ff736cd8a56e45153.jpeg "radiator - blown head gasket?") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UyhjT7nWY0) Tester ---
**Author:** ![M.A.B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@M.A.B](https://community.cartalk.com/u/M.A.B)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 7:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417/17 "2022-02-12T19:19:02Z")
Have done that and that is what happens Bubbles thanks m.b. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2022, 1:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417/18 "2022-02-13T13:53:27Z")
Not to blow my own horn but I called for a blown head gasket in the second reply… But a 15 year old Subaru with a FIVE word original post, what ELSE would anyone diagnose? 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2022, 2:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417/19 "2022-02-13T14:30:07Z")
> [@M.A.B](#): > > Subaru mechanic said that the head gasket are gone . @ this point I would like to know which is the best way to fix , Get a used engine or have heads done So, you **knew** it was the head gasket. Now think about it, get a used engine which may need the heads done or get the heads done one your current engine. Which makes more sense? The question is, how much more damage was done to the engine during the time you have been ignoring the problem? ---
**Author:** ![M.A.B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@M.A.B](https://community.cartalk.com/u/M.A.B)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2022, 2:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417/20 "2022-02-13T14:39:51Z")
that I have know idea how much damage has been done when it runs very good then a mis statrs not every time any idea $ wise do the heads verses a whole Japan engine ? thanks M.B. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2022, 2:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417/21 "2022-02-13T14:45:07Z")
> [@M.A.B](#): > > $ wise do the heads verses a whole Japan engine ? thanks M.B. You are just going to have to contact a local shop where ever you are. Shop rates vary by location and different shops . Also there may be a lot more needed besides the heads . [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-subaru-tribeca-overheats/182417.md?page=2)