Our 2003 Forester overheated, blew steam. I replaced the thermostat, overheated again. Found radiator leak, replaced the radiator. Found that lying in the driveway @ 20 degrees when you are 65 yrs old is not a good combination. Brought it up to temp at idle, all seemed well. Today she overheated again -- top hose & radiator are hot, lower radiator hose and thermostat housing are cold. Read more stuff on the web, found out about the possible air bubble in the thermostat problem, which I thought I had burped properly but maybe not(?). Replacing the water pump is over my head and we simply cannot afford a projected $800 pump replacement cost. Kind of a classic old couple in major distress thing now.
My question is whether I can safely take out the thermostat completely to (at least) see if it is a water pump failure? Can we get away with that, and for how long? Any advice would be sincerely appreciated!
My question is whether I can safely take out the thermostat completely to (at least) see if it is a water pump failure? Can we get away with that, and for how long? Any advice would be sincerely appreciated!
