We have a subaru liberty 1991 - It runs fine for a while then runs hot - we have replaced the thermostat - no difference the top hose is hot while the bottom one is cold - any suggestions

I doubt the radiator is plugged up. The hose should be cooler coming out of the radiator than going in (top).
If the overflow tank is bubbling it could be from the hot coolant, or you could have a head gasket leak and allowing compression - exhaust into the cooling system.

Hi sounds like the typical fuel pump or filter problem with these cars, best way to tell is take top fuel hose off on fuel filter under hood, turn key on ignition (not start) and fuel should pump out, if not its your pump, just beware of doing when engine is hot

A car running hot can be of many causes. Thermostat can be checked by removing and place in boiling water thermostat should open when water reachs temp, hole in hoses hoses will expand when they become hot so a pinhole will open and beome lager when hoses heat, enginge needs flushing a lot of rust and dirt in anti freeze will cause the car not to run correctly, and water pump going bad. Also heater core however I would flush engine before replaceing heater core as it may become clogged.

you probably have a blockage in the radiator cooling tubes, try flushing it with a commercial radiator flush, or replace the radiator-at 133,000 miles, it really doesn't owe you a thing.

CHECK IT AFTER DOING HIGH ROAD SPEEDS AND WITH THE A/C ON COLDEST SETTING.THATS WHEN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RADIATOR WILL GET HOT AND THE BOTTOM HOSE WILL BE WARMER (NOT HOT)YOU NEED TO MAX LOAD THE CAR FOR THE WHOLE RADIATOR TO WORK OTHERWISE ITS ONLY WORKING TO PARTIAL CAPACITY.....

Check if the top and bottom radiator hoses are at approx same temp, (not hot and cold.if so thermostat is jammed and requires to be replaced)

termostat is on the engine block
on the bottom rad hose. yes under the engine on the right side of the car when
facing from the front to the rear.
youre welcome marc godin.

Sounds like the water pump.Check if you see coolant or coolant residue behind the water pump pulley.

Hi,

I had the same problem with my 1993 Liberty LX. Remove the thermostat (located inside bottom radiator hose engine connection - take the connection off and thermostat is inside). Reassemble (minus thermostat), reconnect bottom hose. Slowly (very, very slowly) refill the radiator and remove the bleed plug ( located beside the top hose connection to the radiator - a black square plug with a phillips head cross in the middle). When the radiator is full and clear water (no air bubbles) is coming out of the bleed point, replace the bleed plug and then the radiator cap.

Run the engine for five minutes (approx) or until normal engine temperature is reached. Allow the engine to cool down and recheck the water level - fill if necessary ensuring that the bleed plug is open and clear water is coming out of that point. Replace Bleed plug and then radiator cap. Run engine for five minutes (approx) and then test dive. If the engine overheats keep filling the radiator until there are no air bubbles coming from out of the bleed point.

This fixed my overheating problem. Good luck and safe motoring.

I have a 95 Legacy Wagon and by the shop manual the therostat sets on the bottom of the water pump. It is accessed from the bottom of engine by 2 bolts that hold the lower hose on.