H6 Forester + Vipec - Engine Temps?

SKT · Post by **SKT** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 8:40 pm

Heya all....... I've had my Forester with the H6 transplant on the road for over 6 months now and goin pretty good. I've had a few tunes on the Vipec to try and get some fuel economy out of it but its not looking too good at the moment.

My main concern is engine temps. My tuner said the ECU log showed a regular temp of 100-110 celcius just cruisin around and a spike somewhere of 133. Pretty alarming really. Looking into the Vipec software I'm asuming he's talking ECT which I think is Engine Coolant Temp...?? I'm not sure about either of those facts because I've just started looking into it myself.
I've recently installed a digital display engine temp sensor with pre-setable alarm. I mounted the sensor under a bolt right on top of the block just behind the alternator. I am seeing temps of 90-101 celcius once the engine is warmed up and doing general duties around town. That is obviously off the block and not coolant temp. The tuner says I need this sorted. I'm trying to ascertain what are acceptable engine temps for a H6. Its a '02 motor with less than 100,000K on the clock before the transplant.

Any info would be much apreciated.

spike · Post by **spike** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 8:54 pm

i dont know the H6 motors (wish i did =( but anyway)

i generally live by the cooler the better, however there is an operation range.
an indication is the standard thermostat it should be open at normal running temperature, or thats how i judge it.

just check the size and efficiency of the orignal radiator you may have gone back a few steps and that could be whats screwing you up

on another note, block temperature is usually a better indication or temperature. the metal is what expands and seizes the pistons.

SKT · Post by **SKT** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 8:57 pm

spike wrote:i dont know the H6 motors (wish i did =( but anyway)

i generally live by the cooler the better, however there is an operation range.
an indication is the standard thermostat it should be open at normal running temperature, or thats how i judge it.

just check the size and efficiency of the orignal radiator you may have gone back a few steps and that could be whats screwing you up

The stock H6 rad was installed with the H6. It require some engineering of the mounts to fit it. Thats why I know. I've felt top and bottom hoses after driving and they feel pretty similiar in temp so I'm guessing the thermostat is working.

GOD · Post by **GOD** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 9:01 pm

A Scangauge in my parents' Gen3 H6 Outback pretty much always shows coolant temps at 88-91C when cruising, and only a few degrees more when pushing hard, in traffic etc.

Starting with the basics, are your radiator, heads, water pump all in good nick?

Dane.

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 9:09 pm

At what temperature do your thermo fans kick in and out?

thatsgoodsquishy · Post by **thatsgoodsquishy** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 9:50 pm

GOD wrote:A Scangauge in my parents' Gen3 H6 Outback pretty much always shows coolant temps at 88-91C when cruising, and only a few degrees more when pushing hard, in traffic etc.

Starting with the basics, are your radiator, heads, water pump all in good nick?

Dane.

Mmmm, interesting. My Scangauge shows 95 almost all the time, round town, arterial roads, 110 on the freeway, always around 95. Generally only goes up and down by a couple of degrees. Its a MY07 Outback with the later H6 and 5 speed auto.