I have an 03 WRX which seems to have experienced most of the problems found in 02s.

My radiator leaks from the top, along the metal/plastic seam when it's cold. When the car warms up, it holds pressure, and I haven't lost any significant amount of coolant over the past month since i've noticed this. However the smell is very strong.

I brought it to the dealer, and they won't do anything about it because they say it holds pressure.

Does this problem get worse or just completely loose the ability to hold pressure one day?

It's not going to get any better, and could certainly get worse over time. The radiator should be replaced.

It's a leased car and my position is that I shouldn't have to pay for it. Should I fight it out with the dealer?

You could try a different dealer but I don't know why they are giving you a hard time about it. Regardless of whether it holds pressure when they test it, if there is a visible seam leak it should be replaced.
Have you left the car there overnight so they can check it when it's cold and more likely to leak?

Yes I've left the car there over night. I first noticed this after I had other work done, they insist it was just some spillage.

But I've started the car and watched the coolant seep out of the seam until it heats up.

I am shocked that it passes a pressure test if it's seeping coolant. Mine was barely seeping coolant along the top seam - lots of dried up coolant, but I never really saw it "wet" - but it failed the pressure test and they replaced the radiator. Do you have the radiator with a cap on it, or the one with no cap (the 02's all had the capless version, along with a portion of the 03's) - the one with the cap (new version) is supposed to be more resistant to seepage...

if you have a capless one and they replace it, make sure they add the new overflow tubing required for the extra cap - there is a tsb which explains the procedure)

I am shocked that it passes a pressure test if it's seeping coolant. Mine was barely seeping coolant along the top seam - lots of dried up coolant, but I never really saw it "wet" - but it failed the pressure test and they replaced the radiator. Do you have the radiator with a cap on it, or the one with no cap (the 02's all had the capless version, along with a portion of the 03's) - the one with the cap (new version) is supposed to be more resistant to seepage...

if you have a capless one and they replace it, make sure they add the new overflow tubing required for the extra cap - there is a tsb which explains the procedure)


Mine is capless. Can you provide me with a link to the tsb?

Thanks..

Mine is capless. Can you provide me with a link to the tsb?

Thanks..

Here's a link to my "radiator replacement" thread -

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=713168

I had seepage on the top, they replaced the radiator, but had a plug on the overflow from the new cap, then I found the tsb (included in the thread) and got them to fix (pics in the thread) - the dealer was unaware of the tsb but ordered and installed the parts no questions asked when I brought it to their attention (note - you don't need that overflow attached, I am just anal about making sure things are done right :) )

Find a new dealer! My 03 was leaking as well, dealer replaced with a new one, with the radiator cap! Under warranty.

Here's a link to my "radiator replacement" thread -

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=713168

I had seepage on the top, they replaced the radiator, but had a plug on the overflow from the new cap, then I found the tsb (included in the thread) and got them to fix (pics in the thread) - the dealer was unaware of the tsb but ordered and installed the parts no questions asked when I brought it to their attention (note - you don't need that overflow attached, I am just anal about making sure things are done right :) )


Thanks, do you have a link to a PDF , etc? I just want the TSB to be in an official format when I head to the dealer.

Sorry - I don't - someone posted it on this board when I asked about it - I just pulled the text into word and printed it out - as long as you have the tsb number, they can always just pull it up on the computer, too.

Sorry - I don't - someone posted it on this board when I asked about it - I just pulled the text into word and printed it out - as long as you have the tsb number, they can always just pull it up on the computer, too.


My car has a build date of July 02 (it's an 03) but the Vin is 2*501XXX and the "starting VIN" listed on your post is 2*507194. But it also says the old affected radiator was used until September 02.

Should I just leave the VIN piece out?

My car has a build date of July 02 (it's an 03) but the Vin is 2*501XXX and the "starting VIN" listed on your post is 2*507194. But it also says the old affected radiator was used until September 02.

Should I just leave the VIN piece out?

if your car is an 03, then I bet the VIN is actually 3*501xxx

if your car is an 03, then I bet the VIN is actually 3*501xxx


Yes, my mistake... it's 3G501XXX

but the problem I'm having is definately this one... am I out of luck?

I'm going to try my dealer once more.

Same thing happened to me. Leaking coolant along the top and side seams. Even though car was out of warranty, dealer did me a favor and did a pressure test and actually holds pressure.

I've since replaced it with the newer style radiator out of my own pocket. :(

but the problem I'm having is definately this one... am I out of luck?

maybe they are pressure testing when the car is warmed up, and the leaks sealed due to thermal expansion of the tank? I dunno - mine seemed to be hardly leaking at all (you could smell coolant, and there was plenty of residue on the surface, but I never saw a wet area or anything like that) - maybe drop the car off and let it sit overnight before they look at it? If they say the radiator isn't leaking, have them explain where the coolant is coming from - a leak is a leak - if it's in warranty, they are supposed to fix it - they shouldn't just say it's not the radiator and send you home!

Find a new dealer! My 03 was leaking as well, dealer replaced with a new one, with the radiator cap! Under warranty.

My 02 was leaking and my dealer replace it ,no problem.
Went to North Coast Subaru in Nassau County.I see your from NY,were in NY are you?

which warranty is this covered under....mine's spraying coolant everywhere and i've got a huge puddle on top of my radiator and under my car. this all happened in a matter of 5 days. i just turned 42k yesterday so i know it's not under warranty yet but maybe i can hope....

Mine was done under 3/36 last week. I'm @ 34.5k.


Good Luck.

Same thing happened to me. Leaking coolant along the top and side seams. Even though car was out of warranty, dealer did me a favor and did a pressure test and actually holds pressure.

I've since replaced it with the newer style radiator out of my own pocket. :( I'm curious. What did it end up costing you? ....and did you do it yourself or at the dealership? I've been dealing with the "seepage" issue as well. We use my wife's car to commute so I can save a few bucks by doing the swap myself. ....just trying to get an idea of cost.

Thanks,
Kean

Bought a used newer-style radiator for about $100 off NASIOC and did the swap myself. Subaru coolant at the local dealer was around $15. Easy job.

Suggest doing sooner than later as it will get worse.

I'm curious. What did it end up costing you? ....and did you do it yourself or at the dealership? I've been dealing with the "seepage" issue as well. We use my wife's car to commute so I can save a few bucks by doing the swap myself. ....just trying to get an idea of cost.

Thanks,
Kean

Bought a used newer-style radiator for about $100 off NASIOC and did the swap myself. Subaru coolant at the local dealer was around $15. Easy job.

Suggest doing sooner than later as it will get worse.


You can't just use prestone coolant for $5?

Bought a used newer-style radiator for about $100 off NASIOC and did the swap myself. Subaru coolant at the local dealer was around $15. Easy job.

Suggest doing sooner than later as it will get worse. Thanks. The wife and I are taking a trip to Las Vegas this weekend but I'm certainly going to look into it when we get back. ....I appreciate the feedback.

- Kean

silly post minimum for links is making us troll out of teh ot.