Oil loss and overheated

ADBLAND06

MEMBER
2009 SUBARU FORESTER
2.5L
4 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
178,000 MILES

Driving into work today, my car overheated as I put it in park. Checked the oil level, very low, coolant was down a little bit. I just bought the car and drove 800+ miles back, and all systems were good when I arrived home. Now in stop and go traffic, I am having these issues. There is no milky substance on the dipstick, there is no residue on the oil cap, no issues with the radiator, and the exhaust smells normal (no smell of steam or burnt coolant).

5 Replies

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Hello,

Top off the oil and coolant and see if it still overheats.
An engine can overheat due to low coolant, stuck closed thermostat, inoperative cooling fan, bad water pump, bad radiator etc.

Did it overheat as you were driving or when you came to a stop and idling?

Here are couple of guides on overheating and oil leak:
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-is-leaking-oil

Is the radiator fan coming on?

Please let me know little more of what you are experiencing.
Thank you.

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Friday, October 29th, 2021 AT 10:32 AM

ADBLAND06

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Thanks for the prompt reply! It was starting to overheat as I hit the stop sign leading into the parking lot for work. I will top it off and try what you suggested, I will reply again once I have done what you said. I'm not sure if I heard the radiator fan, so I will try to get it to operating temperature this afternoon and check that as well. I will post back when I give this a shot! Thank you so much!

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Friday, October 29th, 2021 AT 10:50 AM

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

That sounds good. I will look out for the update.

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Friday, October 29th, 2021 AT 10:53 AM

ADBLAND06

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I think I found the culprits. The fan did come on, so that was good. I’ll attach the photos. I believe the oil is coming from the oil fill tube, and I think the coolant may be coming from just under the belt cover.

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Friday, October 29th, 2021 AT 5:00 PM

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

I can see the oil leak clearly. But the coolant leak little hard to tell.
So, if you top off the coolant and it does not overheat then you know it overheated before just for being low.