Subaru Repair: legacy thermostat, subaru repair expert

Question
ALOHA, I LIVE IN HAWAII AND OWN A 1992 SUBARU LEGACY WAGON, AWD, MANUAL 5 SPEED WITH A 2.2L ENGINE.  I AM GOING TO FLUSH THE COOLING SYSTEM AND WONDERED HOW I GET OUT THE EXCESS ANTI-FREEZE THAT DOES NOT CIRCULATE IF I LEAVE A HOSE RUNNING IN TO THE RADIATOR.  IT NEVER GETS HOT ENOUGH TO OPEN THE THERMOSTAT.  THIS IS WITH THE HEATER ON FULL BLAST.  ALSO IN THE WARMER CLIMATE YEAR ROUND SHOULD I STILL USE THE THERMOSTAT RATED AT 170 DEGREES.  ALSO WE ARE AWAY MOST OF THE YEAR NOWADAYS AND WE PUT VERY LITTLE MILEAGE ON THIS VEHICLE, PROBABLY LES THAN 1,000 MILES PER YEAR, IF THAT.  THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE INNER AXLE BOOT IS TORN, BUT THERE IS NO INDICATION OF ANY CV JOINT PROBLEMS.  WOULD AN OPEN TYPE BOOT THAT GOES AROUND AND SEALS AT THE TOP WITH SCREWS, ETC. SUFFICE WITH SUCH LITTLE USE.  IF I HAVE TO REPLACE THE BOOT WITH AN OEM TYPE BOOT, IS THERE ANY REASON TO REPLACE THE HALF AXLE (I THINK THAT'S HOW IT IS REFERRED TO) AS WELL?  THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.  IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER THOUGHTS TO OFFER ABOUT THESE SUBJECTS PLEAS LET ME KNOW.  THANKS AGAIN, CHRIS

Answer
ALooooooooooooooha Chris,

Wish I was there now, its cold and nasty where I am.

Really to drain the coolant you would be better of removing the lower radiator hose, than the thermostat housing and finally the thermostat you will get a complete drain that way.  The heater actually cools the engine temperature so it will hamper the thermostat from opening as the fan blowing on the coolant circulating through the heater core will lower the coolant temperature.

I actually would go back to an O.E Subaru thermostat for the best function.

You should reboot the axle asap with a O.E Subaru boot before the joint wears or rusts and you have to buy a Chinese Axle.

Hope that helps

Justin
www.allwheeldriveauto.com