need a lil help with my 02 wrx

[wrxyo]

for the past couple days ive noticed my car starting to run hot if i sit at idle for more than a couple minutes and was wondering if it maybe the thermostat? once i start driving again it goes straight back down to operating temperature. i checked all the fluids and topped the coolant off and its still doing it. i just figured i would ask other opinions before i start replacing anything and maybe save some money thanks btw its got 116k miles and the motor is stock except for a tbe

[wrxyo]

Originally Posted by wrxyo

for the past couple days ive noticed my car starting to run hot if i sit at idle for more than a couple minutes and was wondering if it maybe the thermostat? once i start driving again it goes straight back down to operating temperature. i checked all the fluids and topped the coolant off and its still doing it. i just figured i would ask other opinions before i start replacing anything and maybe save some money thanks btw its got 116k miles and the motor is stock except for a tbe

come on i really need some help

[wrxlaunch]

sounds like thermostat

[wrxyo]

Originally Posted by wrxlaunch

sounds like thermostat

ok and is there a easy way to get to the thermostat to replace it? i know u can get to it while replacing the timeing belt but i really dont have the cash to do the timing belt right this second and was wondering if you could easily access the thermostat a different way

[DC.R3X87]

replacing the thermostate is pretty easy except for the fact thats its located at the motor side of the bottom radiator hose so u need to drain all ur fluid to change it. there is a drain plug at the passenger side bottom corner of the radiator u can get to it just by removing the mud guard under under the car. then take your hose clamp off the hose on the motor side and drain the rest of the fluid. open the cap on the top of your engine when your draining it. the part where the hose attached is a 90 degree metal piece that has 2-3 screws holding it on i cant remember. remove the screws and the thermostate is right there. just pull it out rplace with new one and reassemble everything and fill back up with coolant. if everything goes right u can do it in less then an hour,i hope this helped i am sure there are some threads on here with some pictures.

[EvoEatr]

before you go just replacing things....are your fans cycling on and off? when they do cycle are they blowing hot air? is the radiator full? Have you had any cooling system work done recently?..As others have mentioned chances are I would start off with the thermostat..after that I would prob. be leaning towards a clogged radiator... ( the thermostat housing should be 2 10mm bolts ) located directly below the D/S timing cover... This might be of some assistance... Impreza Manuals | ken-gilbert.com

[wrxyo]

I was doing some research on it and read on how to "burp" the system so i went out to do it and when i removed the radiator cap i noticed the rubber gasket was ripped in half so i went and got another cap and burped the system and it fixed all my problems i appreciate your help thank you

[DC.R3X87]

lol yea i should have said that. i forgot my cap had a ripped gasket when i first got it and the system was loosing pressure and wasnt cycleing. good job with the detective work