Tribeca moderate overheating --resulting= engine replacement -

[ligander]

So my wife drives our Tribeca 06 and she noticed that the temperature gauge was rising (but never red lined) while driving down the highway (in winter time). So we took it in thinking it would just need a thermostat replacement. Well they replaced the 'stat' but that didnt' help. They said it looked like the coolant had particulate matter in it (like large pepper flakes). They asked if we had had the coolant flushed. We had...by our subaru dealer. So they thought the problem might be in the head gastket. They had the head sent away to be looked at under high pressure conditions and it was not a problem. Oddly enough they were saying that one side of the motor was running 30 degrees warmer than the other side but had no explaination. They replaced the coolant and ran the car for 15 minutes and had the coolant sent off for testing. Apparently, it had a lot of exhaust gasses in it suggesting there was something wrong deep down in the engine....result....alot of hassle and we are now having to replace the engine. Has anyone else run into this problem. We have taken very very good care of this car and we are at a loss to figure out what is going on...and apparently so are our local subaru dealer and the subaru corporation as the dealer has been in contact with the "main" engineers. So I would love to hear if anyone else has this issue.

[Magic Marker]

Wow, that is def not a good thing. So far our 07 is running fine. Glad we got the Gold extended warranty.

[ligander]

yeah...it is really not a good thing. Our 06 was running fine with no problems and then...bam. They "the dealer" has told us they are completely stumped by the problem. They even asked us if it was possible our car was vandalized. That would be one incredible act of vandalism I would think. The service person said...well we haven't had any other complaints about this issue. To which my reply was..."this is an 06....this is the first year, the prototype if you will. So if this is a problem then you may not be seeing these problems occuring till now."

One part of me hopes it is a global problem (maybe a recall) The other part of me hopes not as it will cause a lot of hassle for a lot of people.

We had the gold warranty too. We were just over in miles...:(

[Magic Marker]

yeah...it is really not a good thing. Our 06 was running fine with no problems and then...bam. They "the dealer" has told us they are completely stumped by the problem. They even asked us if it was possible our car was vandalized. That would be one incredible act of vandalism I would think. The service person said...well we haven't had any other complaints about this issue. To which my reply was..."this is an 06....this is the first year, the prototype if you will. So if this is a problem then you may not be seeing these problems occuring till now."

One part of me hopes it is a global problem (maybe a recall) The other part of me hopes not as it will cause a lot of hassle for a lot of people.

We had the gold warranty too. We were just over in miles...:(
Hmmm, sounds like it's time to trade it into a different dealer. That is what a co-worker of mine did. Her Nissan Xterra was about to have a transmission problem. She knew it wasn't worth fixing so she traded it in before it really took a dump.

[HB_Dad]

I fear there is a deep-routed problem in the older Tribecas with the 3.0 engine. I've had overheat issues going on for the last year and a half now in my '06 Tribeca but it only happens on long idles and never at speed. The fan motor seems to kick into high mode and the temperature starts slowly rising and will get all the way to the top. Oddly, revving the engine high for a few seconds will bring the temperature back down and often the overheat will not immediately occur again. A/C is always on and never seems to be effected except for only one time (before head gasket change) where the cold air turned warm.

So far the dealer has had it on 4 separate occasions for:

1) Flushing of the system and replacing thermostat. (had loaner car for 3 days because I brought it on a Saturday)
2) Replacing head gasket (two weeks in a loaner car... yay)
3) Replacing of radiator and radiator cap. (Had loaner car for 3 days)
4) It is currently in for a "Throttle Body Gasket" replacement and should be done Wednesday when the part comes in. Been in since Thursday).

[chriscraftfreak]

HB,

Was the throttle body gasket successful in repairing your B9 ? I have had the exact same symptoms, replaced the thermostat and still have the problem. Until last week, I could always throttle it up and get the temp down, that is until last friday and then it red-lined. I have noticed that I hear a sound that sure seems like a leak in the throttle body upon a blip of the pedal.
At this point with, 136k miles, I dont care to dump 2-3 grand in it and have the same issues going on. :eek:

[laosboixx781]

I've had the same issues as well... :mad: Sux but what can you do.. I have def tried the break inserts, bosch.. they just wear out to quick.. I spoke to the stealership about changing the wiper arms.. they stated that a lot of these request has been made and only a few has changed them.. They wanted to charge me 135 and Arm. :tdown:.. But I am strongly considering it because My wife drives it the most.. while i cruise i my 328XI.:rolleyes: