Why is the coolant light on my Subaru dashboard on?

Pay attention to the temperature gauge and lights on your dashboard. If a low coolant warning light comes on or your dashboard temperature gauge keeps rising, it’s likely that your engine is about to overheat (and could leave you stranded on the road). Wait for the engine to cool down, then have your coolant system checked immediately at your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care.

What are the puddles in my driveway or garage floor?

Don’t ignore puddles on your driveway or garage floor. If you see a green, bright orange, or pink fluid puddling under your car (it might be sticky, too), it could be antifreeze that’s leaking out of the engine. Antifreeze has a sweet, attractive smell to cats and dogs (and it’s highly toxic to them), so look out for your pets! Repair any leaks as soon as possible, then carefully wash away any remaining fluid that’s left behind on the driveway or garage floor.

Do Subaru XT radiators need to be cleaned?

It could be a good idea to have your Subaru XT radiator cleaned out a couple of times a year, maybe at the same time as a tire rotation or oil change.

What is causing my XT to overheat?

One of the main reasons your Subaru XT 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.

My XT radiator sounds like it's rumbling or boiling! What's up?

Air pockets in your XT’s cooling system may cause a rumbling or boiling noise. You could also have a clogged radiator or simply need to replace the radiator cap.

Is it bad to have rust on my XT radiator?

Yes. Rust in your Subaru XT radiator could reduce cooling efficiency, cause leaks, and even lead to radiator failure. Left unchecked, rust can damage the radiator's cooling passages causing small holes or cracks in the radiator. Maintain your radiator system to help prevent rust.

1989 Subaru XT Radiator Service

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Schedule Subaru XT Radiator Service

Don’t let the heat of the moment – or of your engine – get to your head. Schedule a radiator repair or service for your 1989 Subaru XT today.

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Is It Time for Service on My 1989 Subaru XT Cooling System?

Not sure what a radiator does? That makes it difficult to know when to have your Subaru XT radiator serviced, but it's still extremely important. As part of your car’s cooling system, your radiator helps keep engine temperature regulated. So, what happens when the radiator isn’t working quite like it should? You guessed it – your engine overheats, and it may even break down completely.

Staying on top of routine radiator maintenance for your 1989 Subaru XT is crucial to keep your engine in the best possible shape for years to come. To keep your radiator functioning, Subaru recommends replacing your antifreeze or coolant at scheduled intervals but it’s also wise to keep an eye out for signs of a failing radiator. Your radiator could be close to causing an 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. As soon as you see one of these symptoms, come to your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care for a Courtesy Check.

What to Expect from Subaru XT Radiator Repair

What’s included in a radiator repair service? At Firestone Complete Auto Care, we start by performing a thorough inspection of your Subaru XT 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.

Radiator problems often go hand in hand with water pump problems. The water pump is one part on your 1989 Subaru XT engine that you'll want to have repaired or replaced as soon as you discover a problem with it. 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. Let our technicians examine your radiator pumps and hoses to help you stay ahead of any potential engine problems. From the heater core to the radiator cap, your 1989 Subaru XT is in good hands at Firestone Complete Auto Care. We stand behind our work with our Triple Promise: Fixed Right, Priced Right, Right on Time.

Subaru XT Radiator Q&A

Take care of your 1989 Subaru XT radiator and it will last. Check out our top questions and answers about Subaru radiators below, and visit your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care at the first sign of an overheating engine.

Why is the coolant light on my Subaru dashboard on? Pay attention to the temperature gauge and lights on your dashboard. If a low coolant warning light comes on or your dashboard temperature gauge keeps rising, it’s likely that your engine is about to overheat (and could leave you stranded on the road). Wait for the engine to cool down, then have your coolant system checked immediately at your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care.
What are the puddles in my driveway or garage floor? Don’t ignore puddles on your driveway or garage floor. If you see a green, bright orange, or pink fluid puddling under your car (it might be sticky, too), it could be antifreeze that’s leaking out of the engine. Antifreeze has a sweet, attractive smell to cats and dogs (and it’s highly toxic to them), so look out for your pets! Repair any leaks as soon as possible, then carefully wash away any remaining fluid that’s left behind on the driveway or garage floor.
Do Subaru XT radiators need to be cleaned? It could be a good idea to have your Subaru XT radiator cleaned out a couple of times a year, maybe at the same time as a tire rotation or oil change.
What is causing my XT to overheat? One of the main reasons your Subaru XT 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.
My XT radiator sounds like it's rumbling or boiling! What's up? Air pockets in your XT’s cooling system may cause a rumbling or boiling noise. You could also have a clogged radiator or simply need to replace the radiator cap.
Is it bad to have rust on my XT radiator? Yes. Rust in your Subaru XT radiator could reduce cooling efficiency, cause leaks, and even lead to radiator failure. Left unchecked, rust can damage the radiator's cooling passages causing small holes or cracks in the radiator. Maintain your radiator system to help prevent rust.