Overheated Engine - Cause?

[3Behrs]

1999 Subaru Legacy Outback. Trying to determine if recent accident or
Subaru dealership at fault for engine overheat which is resulting in
having to get engine replaced.

Last Friday, Check Engine light came on. Took to Subaru dealer before
heading out on 600-mile road trip after Christmas to fix and ensure car
safe to drive. Also to check oil leak that had occured after a car
smashed into my right front bumper in November.

Subaru tech said check engine light was PO483, that engine cooling fans
were not connected and reconnected fans. First of all, how would
cooling fans not be connected? Could that be the fault of the collison
company not re-connecting them after doing work post-accident?

Secondly, on trip the car made it one-way, then overheated while
climbing Cajon Pass in CA. We took to Victorville garage and they
determined it was a thermostat problem, replace the thermostat, coolant
and sent us on our way.

We did fine for 150 miles until we started to climb up another big
hill. I gunned the engine to keep up speed and it immediately went to
H. We pulled over and the radiator had spewed coolant, engine was
steaming. We called a tow truck and had it towed home 80 miles.

Subaru dealership -- same one that diagnosed PO483 -- said we had a
hairline crack in engine due to overheating and engine would need to be
replaced.

Can anyone help me figure out:
1) Could the Subaru dealership misdiagnosed the PO483 and be
responsible for the overheat
2) What would cause the engine coolant fans to be disconnected? Does
that happen spontaneously or would it be a human error?
3) How long would the engine need to run w/o the coolant fans connected
to cause an engine problem?

THANK YOU for any input you can give.

 

[daszkiew2000]

In cold ( cool) weather cooling fans do not engage - the do sometimes
when you turn the heater on but it doesn't affect the coolant temp. It
is possible that collision shop failed to reconnect your fans after
body repair was done- but, as said above- it should not cause your
engine overheating during winter monts ( even in CA). "Cracked block
or head" is likely correct diagnosis and it was caused by engine
overheating. In my opinion overheating was a manifestation of failed
HG, which is quite common for 2.5 l DOHC horizontal four Subie engines.

 

[3Behrs]

Thanks for your reply. I take it from your message that "Cracked block
or head" is another listed diagnosis for message PO483? Also, what
causes a blown head gasket? The pre-trip inspection also indicated that
there were leaks at the valve cover gaskets. Could these be related?

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

1999 Subaru Legacy Outback. Trying to determine if recent accident or
Subaru dealership at fault for engine overheat which is resulting in
having to get engine replaced.

Last Friday, Check Engine light came on. Took to Subaru dealer before
heading out on 600-mile road trip after Christmas to fix and ensure car
safe to drive. Also to check oil leak that had occured after a car
smashed into my right front bumper in November.

Subaru tech said check engine light was PO483, that engine cooling fans
were not connected and reconnected fans. First of all, how would
cooling fans not be connected? Could that be the fault of the collison
company not re-connecting them after doing work post-accident?

Secondly, on trip the car made it one-way, then overheated while
climbing Cajon Pass in CA. We took to Victorville garage and they
determined it was a thermostat problem, replace the thermostat, coolant
and sent us on our way.

We did fine for 150 miles until we started to climb up another big
hill. I gunned the engine to keep up speed and it immediately went to
H. We pulled over and the radiator had spewed coolant, engine was
steaming. We called a tow truck and had it towed home 80 miles.

Subaru dealership -- same one that diagnosed PO483 -- said we had a
hairline crack in engine due to overheating and engine would need to be
replaced.

Can anyone help me figure out:
1) Could the Subaru dealership misdiagnosed the PO483 and be
responsible for the overheat
2) What would cause the engine coolant fans to be disconnected? Does
that happen spontaneously or would it be a human error?
3) How long would the engine need to run w/o the coolant fans connected
to cause an engine problem?

THANK YOU for any input you can give.

If the collision caused, or the repair required, opening the coolant
system, it's quite likely the car was returned to you improperly filled
with new coolant. I believe this year should also have a Subaru coolant
additive which may not have been re-installed. Most soobs (and some
other cars) require complex filling procedures to avoid trapping air in
the coolant system. Coupled with the unplugged cooling fans ,etc. may
have led to a localized overheating problem which breached the head
gasket. These issues have been reported before. you clould search past
postings here, or search the forums over at www.usmb.net . Likely this
started at the collision and its repair. I dunno.

Carl

 

[Mickey]

1999 Subaru Legacy Outback. Trying to determine if recent accident or
Subaru dealership at fault for engine overheat which is resulting in
having to get engine replaced.

Last Friday, Check Engine light came on. Took to Subaru dealer before
heading out on 600-mile road trip after Christmas to fix and ensure car
safe to drive. Also to check oil leak that had occured after a car
smashed into my right front bumper in November.

Subaru tech said check engine light was PO483, that engine cooling fans
were not connected and reconnected fans. First of all, how would
cooling fans not be connected? Could that be the fault of the collison
company not re-connecting them after doing work post-accident?

Secondly, on trip the car made it one-way, then overheated while
climbing Cajon Pass in CA. We took to Victorville garage and they
determined it was a thermostat problem, replace the thermostat, coolant
and sent us on our way.

We did fine for 150 miles until we started to climb up another big
hill. I gunned the engine to keep up speed and it immediately went to
H. We pulled over and the radiator had spewed coolant, engine was
steaming. We called a tow truck and had it towed home 80 miles.

Subaru dealership -- same one that diagnosed PO483 -- said we had a
hairline crack in engine due to overheating and engine would need to be
replaced.

Can anyone help me figure out:
1) Could the Subaru dealership misdiagnosed the PO483 and be
responsible for the overheat
2) What would cause the engine coolant fans to be disconnected? Does
that happen spontaneously or would it be a human error?
3) How long would the engine need to run w/o the coolant fans connected
to cause an engine problem?

THANK YOU for any input you can give.

Most likely way fans were disconnected would be if they were
disconected during the collision repair and not reconnected. If shop
was not familiar with Subarus I would also suspect they didn't follow
the proper proceedure for filling the cooling system and that resulted
in trapped air which could easily lead to over heating.

If you are now looking at a big bill for repair, I wouldn't overlook
letting the repair shop know that they are at least paritially to
blame and you expect them to make things right.

Mickey

 

[3Behrs]

Thanks to all of your for your very valuable feedback. Aside from your
great input, got on usmb.net and got some additional info, so I feel SO
much better informed and ready to discuss with mechanic/insurance
company/collison company tomorrow. By the way, if anyone knows a
reputable indie Subaru mechanic in Las Vegas, we'd like to get a second
opinion on the car's problem.
Thanks!

 

[QX]

Thanks to all of your for your very valuable feedback. Aside from your
great input, got on usmb.net and got some additional info, so I feel SO
much better informed and ready to discuss with mechanic/insurance
company/collison company tomorrow. By the way, if anyone knows a
reputable indie Subaru mechanic in Las Vegas, we'd like to get a second
opinion on the car's problem.
Thanks!

I'd be VERY interested in that also. AFIK Findlay Subaru is the only
Subaru repair shop in the LV Valley.

Here is one alternative though (from the AAA website)

Car Care Plus Facilities
AAA's Car Care Plus® facilities in California and Nevada, first of a
growing breed, put AAA's auto expertise to work on your car. They
provide a one-stop solution for your repair and maintenance needs, and
offer other amenities for busy drivers and their families.
Nevada
Henderson
1251 American Pacific Drive, Suite 101
Henderson, NV 89074

Open weekdays 7:30 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Open Saturdays 7:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. For
an appointment, call 1-702-568-5222.

Our menu of services
The highly trained technicians at the Car Care Plus centers perform a
full array of services using state-of-the-art equipment:
• Vehicle Inspection Service
• Specific problem diagnostics
• Oil change
• Smog check and related repairs
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• Basic electrical repair
• Minor engine repair
• Four-wheel alignment
• Air conditioning service
• Cooling system service

All services are covered by a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty — 24
months/24,000 miles for AAA Members. Members also receive a 10% Show
Your Card & Save discount on all labor costs and select package
services.