Need some help with cooling system...

[subi400]

So, I just changed the timing belt and water pump along with the pulleys on my 1996 impreza outback 2.2 a few days ago. I also pulled the oil pump off and replaced the O ring as it was flat instead of round... I resealed the oil pump as well as the water pump. I reused the thermostat as I just replaced it along with the coolant like 4 months back or so.

Here's the catch, I add the coolant and burp the system to get the air out. Then I let it do a heat cycle and took it for a drive to see if there were any problems. Well, the temperature went up probably 10 - 15 degrees and stayed there for a bit. So I drove back to my friends houses and let it cool down for awhile before doing any more work. I drain the fluid and decide to check the used thermostat by putting it in water and bringing it to almost a boil, well the thermostat does not open, so bad part. I go to Auto Zone and get a new thermostat and put it in there along with the coolant I just drained out as it was still new. I burp the system by letting it idle for 30 seconds then turning it off. I checked and had to add some fluid. I let it do a heat cycle and then headed out for a drive. The temperature went up again but a little more this time like 15 - 20 degrees..hmm.. So, I drive back and leave my car there.

Well, my friend dropped me off at my aunt's house as we all were having a family reunion. 3 days later I go back and drain the fluid. My friend goes to pull the thermostat and finds that I put it in backwards, so he fixes that and puts the coolant back in. I let it run for 30 seconds, then burped it and had to add some coolant. I then let it heat cycle and go out for a drive, I come back and finally the thermostat opens, so far so good. I then headed home, but close to home the temperature goes up maybe 10 degrees but stays there and then goes back to just 5-8 degrees over or so. So turned my car off and was done for the night. I am going to call some people to get some ideas.

So, my question to you guys, what do you think it could be, did the new thermostat open once and then fail right away? My car isn't burning oil or coolant as there isn't any blue smoke or coolant on the plugs... Other than running a little hotter, it runs fine along with being smoother because of the new timing belt kit This has my puzzled....

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[subi400]

**UPDATE**

After the new t-stat opening once like it should, it won't open now and so I need to go get another t-stat...The engine temp is running about 5-8 degrees or so warmer than usual but nothing serious. I am going to go get a fail safe t-stat this time around and not the cruddy $7 one... Other than that, the engine is running really good, still no burning oil and no white smoke out the tail pipe. I am getting tired of these stupid thermo-stats.....