2003 Subaru Baja Automatic 157,846 miles Car temp gauge was fluctuating slowly between max and normal operating temperature. Thermostat works properly, fans work properly. I’m pretty sure my water pump is leaking from the weep hole, and plan to replace it ASAP. Could a failing water pump make th…

Was probably driving 50-60mph when it initially occurred, but seemed to happened regardless of speed afterwards. Wasn’t an abnormally hot day. Car seemed to be driving normally except for a squeaky new serpentine belt (alternator and power steering) that I tightened today. Disregarded this because i…

If the water pump is leaking and the coolant level is low the engine will overheat.

Serpentine belt is new and does not run the water pump. Don’t know the condition of the timing belt though. I plan to replace it with the water pump, but no other problems with the car to suggest timing belt issues.

It’s only leaking a little bit. I’m watching the coolant levels and they are fine.

After flushing and burping the system it has not overheated again. I don’t think the water pump would make the temperature rise and fall repeatedly like that. Could air have been getting in through the weep hole over time, creating air pockets? Not sure if that’s practical, but would explain why it…

if its leaking through the weep hole you need to change the pump. it wont get better. it will only get worse.

Speaking from experience my first thought was a head gasket when the temp fluctuates. For me it would cool down again at speed when the pump was pushing the coolant faster. The other thing is a radiator filled with bugs in the front can lose it’s ability to cool efficiently or the radiator could b…

Yes, I said I will replace it ASAP. Waiting for new water pump.

How would I go about checking the head gasket? I believe oil would be mixing with coolant, so I’ll check for that. Are there any other things to look for?

Water Pump Failure

Maintenance/Repairs

oldtimer-11 July 10, 2021, 3:24am 9

You have to check the coolant level cold in the radiator, not the remote tank.

Because it is a high mileage Subaru, the first suspects when overheating are always the head gaskets.

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Water Pump Failure

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