Coolant Leak

[scoobyTeX]

I've got a slow(ish) coolant leak and I'm struggling to work out where it's coming from. My car is a 2000 Outback, 2.5l, automatic, approx 110k miles.

The drips are coming down around the jacking plate between the two cross members around the back of the engine, front of the transmission, where the undertray bolts in to the jacking plate.

I can't see where the drips are originating 'cos of the cross members, etc. being in the way. However, i can see that the main flow is coming through the gap in the cross member that's immediately above the center of the steering rack.

There's also a secondary drip area around the bit of the rack where the steering column goes in.

This is all happening pretty much along the centerline of the car although there seems to be a bias towards the driver's side - e.g. I found some drips on the lowest part of the driver's side engine mount rubber but nothing on the mount on the other side; and, the fluid is pooling in the indentations on the driver's side on the top side of the jacking plate.

Anyone had this one before?

I was wondering if it's a head gasket, but i don't see how as the only thing that seems to be above the drips seems to be the flywheel...

I'm hoping there's something simple i've not thought to check, as otherwise, the alternatives are beginning to look expensive (i.e. engine removal...unless someone can recommend some additive that will block up any small leaks like this...).

The water pump was changed about 12 months ago when i got the timing belt changed. I got that done at a dealer so am assuming that they used the Subaru conditioner stuff...

I think the leak started after I got back from leaving the car at uncovered airport parking for three weeks (north-east Texas, so probably was cold, not that cold, though, and mainly dry). I certainly hadn't noticed anything before i left it at the parking place but I noticed it a few days afterwards.

All help, gratefully received.

Thanks

[porcupine73]

Hm...maybe some more searching with flashlight is needed? Check all the hoses at the top of the engine. There are three or four hoses that feed coolant through the IACV, then into the throttle body, then to the coolant return pipe. Maybe one of those is leaking?

[scoobyTeX]

I've taken another look around and still can't work out where the coolant is leaking out.

I took the air filter box out and had a good look at all the hoses underneath it that i was then able to get at. Nothing.

I was also able to get a better look at the head gasket areas - i couldn't see or feel any leaks, though.

A friend suggested that it might be a leaking core plug...anyone got any thoughts about that? Like how many core plugs and where they are...

[mbshop]

three ways to check leaks. use a pressure tester. use dye and a black light. clean off the area and spray powdered foot spray around the area and drive and recheck. should find it for sure.

george

[porcupine73]

Somehow I totally forgot to mention this, but the 2.5L phase II sohc (which you have) can get the external head gasket peeping leak. This may be what you are experiencing. Get that thing into a dealer pronto. It's a little outside the warranty period (if the 'coolant conditioner' was put in under the service bulletin), but sometimes Subaru will cover the hg repair (if that's the issue) anyway.

[scoobyTeX]

Thanks for the info - the coolant was last changed by a Subaru dealer when i got the timing belt changed, as they changed the water pump at the same time as a precautionary measure. So i'd hope they used the conditioner. Prior to that, am not sure if i have any records - i got the car with about 79k on it, 105k now...

What's the "external head gasket peeping leak"?
Why do I need to hit the dealer pronto?
Will Subaru really pick up the tab? (And can you do the HG replacement on this engine without taking the engine out? If not, am guessing it's an expensive job...)

[OldBay]

Originally posted by scoobyTeX
Thanks for the info - the coolant was last changed by a Subaru dealer when i got the timing belt changed, as they changed the water pump at the same time as a precautionary measure. So i'd hope they used the conditioner. Prior to that, am not sure if i have any records - i got the car with about 79k on it, 105k now...

What's the "external head gasket peeping leak"?
Why do I need to hit the dealer pronto?
Will Subaru really pick up the tab? (And can you do the HG replacement on this engine without taking the engine out? If not, am guessing it's an expensive job...)

Yes it can be done, that's how I did it a couple years ago. Of course my next project is pulling the engine to replace/prep the clutch/flywheel/bearings and possibly the input shaft seal on the transmission.

[porcupine73]

Originally posted by scoobyTeX
Thanks for the info - the coolant was last changed by a Subaru dealer when i got the timing belt changed, as they changed the water pump at the same time as a precautionary measure. So i'd hope they used the conditioner. Prior to that, am not sure if i have any records - i got the car with about 79k on it, 105k now...

What's the "external head gasket peeping leak"?
Why do I need to hit the dealer pronto?
Will Subaru really pick up the tab? (And can you do the HG replacement on this engine without taking the engine out? If not, am guessing it's an expensive job...)

Hi scoobyTeX sorry I missed your reply somehow!

The external head gasket peeping leak is coolant dripping out of the head gasket onto the ground (or plastic engine underdoor). It seems often it is on the LH (Driver) side.

I would hit the dealer pronto if that's the problem it is having. The Subaru extended warranty if you had the coolant conditioner instlaled under tsb is roughly for 8 years from date of first retail sale or 100,000 miles, though sometimes they will cover vehicles outside that range.

You can replace HG's wihtout taking the engine out, though any typicaly shop would pull the engine to do it. Yes at a dealer you are talking roughly $1000-$2000+ fo rthis job, hence the attempt to get it covered under warranty.