What does an illuminated coolant temperature light mean for my Subaru?

Your engine might be about to overheat. If your low coolant light is on, pull over in a safe area and wait for your engine temperature to go down. Once it’s safe to do so, bring your car to your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care to have the coolant system inspected.

Is an antifreeze leak dangerous?

Notice a leaking fluid that's green, bright orange, or pink and feels sticky? It might be antifreeze. Antifreeze is toxic but has a sweet smell and taste that's attractive to many cats and dogs. Do your pets a favor and have an antifreeze leak investigated ASAP. Then hose down the driveway or garage floor!

When should my Subaru DL radiator be cleaned?

To keep your Subaru DL radiator running well, it’s wise to get it cleaned out a few times a year.

What is causing my DL to overheat?

One of the main reasons your Subaru DL engine might overheat is because you don’t have enough coolant. Other causes include a clogged radiator, a damaged cooling fan, a malfunctioning thermostat, or a faulty water pump.

Why does the radiator in my DL sound like it’s rumbling or boiling?

There could be air pockets in your DL’s cooling system. You might also have a clogged radiator or faulty radiator cap (this last one is an easy fix!).

Is rust in my DL radiator bad?

Yes. Rust in the radiator of your Subaru DL can impair its cooling efficiency, cause leaks, and even result in complete failure of the radiator. Over time, rust can eat away at the radiator's cooling passages, forming tiny holes or cracks that can affect its operation. To help prevent rust from causing damage, you should stay on top of radiator maintenance.

1988 Subaru DL Radiator Service

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Service Your Subaru DL Radiator

Keeping your cool is easier when your engine is cool. Schedule your 1988 Subaru DL radiator repair or service today.

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When to Service Your 1988 Subaru DL Cooling System

It can be tough to know when to have your Subaru DL radiator serviced if you don't know what it does, but it's still extremely important. Your radiator is part of the cooling system. It helps regulate engine temperature. If your radiator isn’t functioning like it’s supposed to, the engine can overheat – or worse, break down.

Keeping up with regular radiator maintenance in your 1988 Subaru DL is crucial to keep your engine in the best possible shape for years to come. Subaru recommends that you replace coolant (also called antifreeze) at certain intervals, but you can also take note of any signs your radiator is going bad. You could be on the verge of a radiator-induced engine breakdown if you notice a low coolant light or higher-than-normal engine temperatures on your dashboard, or if you spot coolant leaks coming from your car. Visit your local Firestone Complete Auto Care for a Courtesy Check at the first sign of one of these issues.

Subaru DL Coolant Fluid Exchange

What’s included in a radiator repair service? If you bring your vehicle to Firestone Complete Auto Care, we start with a comprehensive inspection of your Subaru DL’s cooling system. We’ll do a machine-powered coolant exchange on the system, and then we’ll top off or replace the fluids that were removed (like chemicals, lubricants, and sealants). Lastly, we’ll perform a pressure check to look for leaks.

Issues with your radiator often coincide with a malfunctioning water pump. The water pump is one part on your 1988 Subaru DL engine that needs to be addressed ASAP once an issue is identified. This vital part keeps coolant moving through the engine, hoses, and radiator. If it isn’t functioning properly, your engine won’t be able to stay within its optimal temperature range. Our trained technicians can inspect your car’s radiator hoses and pumps to help make sure everything is in working order. From the radiator cap to the heater core, we’ll take excellent care of your 1988 Subaru DL at Firestone Complete Auto Care. Every job we do is backed by our Triple Promise: Fixed Right, Priced Right, Right on Time.

Subaru DL Radiator Q&A

Wondering how to make your 1988 Subaru DL radiator last as long as possible? Read on for answers to common questions, and visit your local Firestone Complete Auto Care when your engine shows any signs of a faulty radiator.

What does an illuminated coolant temperature light mean for my Subaru? Your engine might be about to overheat. If your low coolant light is on, pull over in a safe area and wait for your engine temperature to go down. Once it’s safe to do so, bring your car to your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care to have the coolant system inspected.
Is an antifreeze leak dangerous? Notice a leaking fluid that's green, bright orange, or pink and feels sticky? It might be antifreeze. Antifreeze is toxic but has a sweet smell and taste that's attractive to many cats and dogs. Do your pets a favor and have an antifreeze leak investigated ASAP. Then hose down the driveway or garage floor!
When should my Subaru DL radiator be cleaned? To keep your Subaru DL radiator running well, it’s wise to get it cleaned out a few times a year.
What is causing my DL to overheat? One of the main reasons your Subaru DL engine might overheat is because you don’t have enough coolant. Other causes include a clogged radiator, a damaged cooling fan, a malfunctioning thermostat, or a faulty water pump.
Why does the radiator in my DL sound like it’s rumbling or boiling? There could be air pockets in your DL’s cooling system. You might also have a clogged radiator or faulty radiator cap (this last one is an easy fix!).
Is rust in my DL radiator bad? Yes. Rust in the radiator of your Subaru DL can impair its cooling efficiency, cause leaks, and even result in complete failure of the radiator. Over time, rust can eat away at the radiator's cooling passages, forming tiny holes or cracks that can affect its operation. To help prevent rust from causing damage, you should stay on top of radiator maintenance.