I have an 02 wrx and my radiator is leaking/ozzzing at the seals, both top and bottom. I have read about people on here with similar radiator leaks, but does anyone know if there is actually a service bulletin out about this? If so, can someone link me. My car has 38k on it, and i dont want to have to pay for a new radiator.

thanks

I've got an 02 as well. It is at the dealer right now. He said there is no bulletin, and that the coolant problem is only on the 2.5. A little differnt than what people post on here. They are telling me that they don't see any evidence of a leak. It never puddles under the car, so I imagine it is the head gasket? They said that they are adding some type of additive to the coolant, and should fix it. Probably fix it just in time for the waranty to expire, I have about 6,000 and 3 months left on the b to b. I've had the car for 2 weeks. Buyers beware!!! According to all of the research that I did before I purchased it, the shuddering clutch was the only thing to look out for? :mad:

Tell them you don't want the stuff poured in and you want the problem fixed. The coolant gunk doesn't even apply to this car (as they said) so they should fix what is broken. If they argue, ask them to show you the bulletin that says they should fix a leak using the stuff from Subaru. Otherwise, if they can't produce that as a SOA recommended fix, they should just fix the headgasket.

Some 02's and 03's have a problem with fuel line leaks in cold weather producing gas fumes in the cabin with the vent set to fresh air. There is a flash out on this. Depending on your mods (Cobb Stage 2.5, etc) you may not be entitled to an in warranty repair. Besides, I'm not so sure the radiator is considering part of the drivetrain warranty, I could be wrong though. In that case, you're SOL anyway.

This would be part of the bumper to bumper though, wouldn't it? If it wouldn't, do you think I would have any legal ground to stand on? If the service department (different dealer than where it was purchased), says there is no evidence of a leak. How could I possibly know, with out driving it for a few days. For all that I know, the lot that I bought it from was adding coolant every morning to make it look full.

If it is the radiator leaking, it is only covered under the 3/36 warranty. They should be able to determine a leak by pressure testing the system. If it is determined it is the headgasket, it would be covered under the 5/60 power train warranty. Make sure you both show them where you see the coolant leaking/oozing from.

I actually can not find where mine is leaking. I do smell it when I have the heat on. It is most definitely losing coolant though. I am planning on picking it up today, and watch the level. If it goes down like it has been, then it will have to go back. I will probably call SOA and ask them what to do. From what you are saying, I'd rather it be a head gasket. Then I have a little more time to deal with it. Thanks for the info.

I have an 02 wrx and my radiator is leaking/ozzzing at the seals, both top and bottom. I have read about people on here with similar radiator leaks, but does anyone know if there is actually a service bulletin out about this? If so, can someone link me. My car has 38k on it, and i dont want to have to pay for a new radiator.Although a radiator leak from the top seam is a common problem on the 2002 WRX, Subaru will only fix it for free if your New Car Warranty is still in effect, regardless of whether Subaru ever issued a TSB describing the problem (they didn't).

SOA did issue a TSB explaining that a replacement radiator for the 2002 WRX is different than the one came with the car (that's good they redesigned it). You can read a description of that TSB at http://techinfo.subaru.com/html/displayPDFDesc.jsp?doc_id=40413.

Thanks for the link. My radiator is not dripping on the floor or anything, there is just a lot of build up along the seals. Also, I have all my oil changes done at subaru and all of my other maintaince and recalls. It just bothered me that they didnt mention anything to me before my warrany was up. In fact, i took it in at like 31,000 for my 30k mile check up and they changed the fuel filter and some other stuff, but never mentioned the radiator. :(

...The coolant gunk doesn't even apply to this car (as they said) ...
Although most models do not get the warranty extended to 100k, the "coolant gunk" ("SOA coolant conditioner") is now specified by Subaru for all late model Imprezas (at least).

Armand - is it specified for a repair of a leak or as a recommended additive? Do you know? Thanks for the update.

I've heard of cracked rad tanks in various models. No TSB I am aware of.

Armand - is it specified for a repair of a leak or as a recommended additive? Do you know? Thanks for the update.The coolant conditioner is a recommended additive. Here's a page for the 2004 Impreza factory service manual that was updated to recommend that the coolant conditioner always be added:
http://techinfo.subaru.com/html/downloadFree.jsp?doc_id=43024

I'm in the same boat impryza. >39k miles and I have green residue on the top seam of the radiator. I get a slight "maple syrup" smell every now and again, but no spillage. I'll probably look into an aftermarket solution when it comes time to replacing it.

just hit 42k yesterday and today i've got coolant sprayed all over everything in my engine bay, a puddle of coolant on top of my radiator, and a pretty green lake under my car. just had the oil changed by the dealer 5 days ago due to a supposed oil leak from my temp sensor(which wasn't leaking just like i said). picked it up, took it to put a new battery in it, noticed the maple syrup smell. checked out the radiator...found a little bit of coolant and green gunk buildup on top of the radiator, checked all the hoses...they're all fully secure and no holes. checked the overflow, it was about an inch and a half over full. now, i've never added coolant so that must have been the dealer's doing. i wasn't aware that this was a common problem but as i'm looking more and more into it i'm seeing that it is. i'm very upset about this and am even more upset that the fact that it looks like it's not going to be covered under any warranty. btw, i have an 03 running turboxs stg 3 so it's not like the dealer likes to cover anything for me anyway. you should've seen the fight i had to put up to get my egt sensor replaced when that blew up.

My radiator is not dripping on the floor or anything, there is just a lot of build up along the seals.

I see this alot, most of the time it's just the upper and lower hose clamps aren't tight enough. They haven't been loosened, just that the hoses have set in and clamps need tightening again.

2.0's do not get conditioner, they do not have the leaky head gaskets the 2.5 N/A motor has.