where does my coolant leak from?

haszlan · 12-31-2003, 01:01 AM

Hi there everyone. This is my 1st post here. Got a little problem needs solving.

I have a Subaru WRX STi Version 3. After driving when I open the hood up I can see that the coolant is boiling/ bubbling from the coolant reservoir. And when the car is cold enough when I open up the radiator tank cap the coolant level has dropped. How come it is throwing coolant away? I have already replaced a radiator tank, thermostat, and radiator cap now and it still isn't working. Anyone can point me in the right direction? Thank you.

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cnk · 12-31-2003, 01:06 AM

You don't measure coolant like that. Coolant will read higher when it's hot and lower when it's cold. If you really want to see if you are losing coolant, measure at the same time/conditions. For example, look at it in the morning before you start it up and again the next day at the same time. That will tell you if you are losing coolant or not. Plus, you should be able to see it pooling under your car if you're leaking.

Calvin

haszlan · 12-31-2003, 01:21 AM

that is what i meant. i check up my car every morning and my coolant (radiator tank) level has dropped (only if i had driven or started the car the day before). and there isn't any puddles of water from under the car. what i have noticed is water been thrown out from the the small coolant tank (water is boiling and bubbling).

cnk · 12-31-2003, 01:24 AM

Does it consistently drop each day? When's the last time you flushed your coolant?

Calvin

haszlan · 12-31-2003, 01:28 AM

I had an overheat problem with my car 3 weeks ago. and after that it had this problem. just got new coolant on my car. if you read carefully i got a New Thermostat, New Radiator and New Radiator cap install after that incident.

mr2guru · 12-31-2003, 01:33 AM

head gasket is leaking...garanteed

haszlan · 12-31-2003, 01:45 AM

thanks mr2guru. i do suspect it to be the head gasket as well. just wants a comfirmation before doing a top overhaul on my car. you ever come with this problem as well? water coming out of plastic reservoir bottle? just wondering.....

MJU1983 · 12-31-2003, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by haszlan
thanks mr2guru. i do suspect it to be the head gasket as well. just wants a comfirmation before doing a top overhaul on my car. you ever come with this problem as well? water coming out of plastic reservoir bottle? just wondering.....

i have experienced that a few times

nothing like pulling a motor 3-4 times...

cky211 · 12-31-2003, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mr2guru
head gasket is leaking...garanteed

If it is the head gasket would the oil on the dip stick look different?

Would the oil level read higher?

-Scott A.

CirrusWRX · 12-31-2003, 03:37 AM

You could do a compression test on each cylinder to gather more information, but disappearing coolant without puddles on the ground means a leak INSIDE, or as was stated above, probably a head gasket

mr2guru · 12-31-2003, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cky211
If it is the head gasket would the oil on the dip stick look different?

Would the oil level read higher?

-Scott A.

Depends on where the leak is....if it is just between the cyl and the surrounding water jacket then the oil usually isn't affected. But bubbles in your plastic reservior means your coolant is being over pressurized by combustion gasses, assuming coolant temp is normal. Milky oil indicates that the gasket failed between oil passages and the water jacket. That is not usually the case unless the gasket was installed with the incorrect torque sequence or the head surface wasn't smooth.

mattjk · 12-31-2003, 05:40 AM

I agree with mr2guru.

Just in case though, have you recently used any type of radiator flush products? I had a similar problem with an older Toyota I used to own. Same exact problems as a bad head gasket... bubbles, overheating, over flowing... turns out the system needed the "flush product" cleansed out more thoroughly. After about 4 flushings with pure water, it returned back to normal.

If not, head gasket.

You can go to an auto shop and have a test done to see if you have exhaust in your coolant system.

12-31-2003, 01:01 AM	#1
haszlan Scooby Newbie Member#: 51616 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Brunei Vehicle: 2002 WRX STi V.7 Rally Blue	where does my coolant leak from? Hi there everyone. This is my 1st post here. Got a little problem needs solving. I have a Subaru WRX STi Version 3. After driving when I open the hood up I can see that the coolant is boiling/ bubbling from the coolant reservoir. And when the car is cold enough when I open up the radiator tank cap the coolant level has dropped. How come it is throwing coolant away? I have already replaced a radiator tank, thermostat, and radiator cap now and it still isn't working. Anyone can point me in the right direction? Thank you. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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12-31-2003, 01:06 AM	#2
cnk Scooby Guru Member#: 10757 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NJ Vehicle: 2013 BRZ Limited 6MT DGM	You don't measure coolant like that. Coolant will read higher when it's hot and lower when it's cold. If you really want to see if you are losing coolant, measure at the same time/conditions. For example, look at it in the morning before you start it up and again the next day at the same time. That will tell you if you are losing coolant or not. Plus, you should be able to see it pooling under your car if you're leaking. Calvin

12-31-2003, 01:21 AM	#3
haszlan Scooby Newbie Member#: 51616 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Brunei Vehicle: 2002 WRX STi V.7 Rally Blue	that is what i meant. i check up my car every morning and my coolant (radiator tank) level has dropped (only if i had driven or started the car the day before). and there isn't any puddles of water from under the car. what i have noticed is water been thrown out from the the small coolant tank (water is boiling and bubbling).

12-31-2003, 01:24 AM	#4
cnk Scooby Guru Member#: 10757 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NJ Vehicle: 2013 BRZ Limited 6MT DGM	Does it consistently drop each day? When's the last time you flushed your coolant? Calvin

12-31-2003, 01:28 AM	#5
haszlan Scooby Newbie Member#: 51616 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Brunei Vehicle: 2002 WRX STi V.7 Rally Blue	I had an overheat problem with my car 3 weeks ago. and after that it had this problem. just got new coolant on my car. if you read carefully i got a New Thermostat, New Radiator and New Radiator cap install after that incident.

12-31-2003, 01:33 AM	#6
mr2guru Scooby Specialist Member#: 10334 Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: St. Louis Vehicle: 91 RX7 LSx swap '09 CC 3.6 4motion	head gasket is leaking...garanteed

12-31-2003, 01:45 AM	#7
haszlan Scooby Newbie Member#: 51616 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Brunei Vehicle: 2002 WRX STi V.7 Rally Blue	thanks mr2guru. i do suspect it to be the head gasket as well. just wants a comfirmation before doing a top overhaul on my car. you ever come with this problem as well? water coming out of plastic reservoir bottle? just wondering.....

12-31-2003, 03:37 AM	#10
CirrusWRX Scooby Guru Member#: 17439 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Yardley, PA Vehicle: 2002 x2 Silver WRX Sedan, White WRX Wagon	You could do a compression test on each cylinder to gather more information, but disappearing coolant without puddles on the ground means a leak INSIDE, or as was stated above, probably a head gasket

12-31-2003, 05:40 AM	#12
mattjk * Banned * Member#: 16615 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Huntington Beach Vehicle: I ♥ my TE51 2009 Nissan 370z	I agree with mr2guru. Just in case though, have you recently used any type of radiator flush products? I had a similar problem with an older Toyota I used to own. Same exact problems as a bad head gasket... bubbles, overheating, over flowing... turns out the system needed the "flush product" cleansed out more thoroughly. After about 4 flushings with pure water, it returned back to normal. If not, head gasket. You can go to an auto shop and have a test done to see if you have exhaust in your coolant system.