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Old 12-09-2018, 04:57 PM   #1
sibanez
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Camp Hill, PA
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2006 Impreza WRX
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Default P0483 in stock 2007 WRX, told it's the headgaset?

Took my stock, 2007 WRX into the dealer after a check engine light for P0483. They are saying the head gasket needs to be replaced. There's no coolant in the oil and the coolant overflow tank looks clear. Service rep said, "coolant in the combustion chamber", but it doesn't even appear they pulled plugs.

I went to pick up a EJ255 and the shop I stopped at questioned if it was really the headgasket, he said it is really rare in the newer EJ255s.

Now that I have some time and can diagnose the car, what next steps do you recommend? I pulled the plugs and they all look the same, none have the signs of a headgasket leak .
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Old 12-09-2018, 05:20 PM   #2
viper_crazy
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I doubt it's headgasket.... I'd check cooling fan fuses, relays, connectors/plugs, wiring, etc. This code has more to do with the fans than anything else.
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Old 12-10-2018, 08:39 AM   #3
sibanez
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Quote:
Originally Posted by viper_crazy View Post
I doubt it's headgasket.... I'd check cooling fan fuses, relays, connectors/plugs, wiring, etc. This code has more to do with the fans than anything else.
Thanks, the shop didn't say how they determined there was coolant in the combustion chamber. I haven't been able to trigger the check engine light, but it hasn't been above 35, either.

I'm doing the timing belt and water pump, will replace the thermostat and radiator while I'm in there.
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Old 12-10-2018, 09:50 AM   #4
Charlie-III
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Location: USA, North NJ, 07456
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Silver Sleeper BK, 5MT

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Your profile states 2002 WRX, your thread title states 2007 WRX.....typo?

As to bad Subaru HG's, I have yet to see mixing of oil and coolant and I have seen quite a few bad HG's (2.2 NA, 2.5NA, 2.2 turbo and 2.5 turbo).

You can open hood, start car, cabin heat off (increases heat load through radiator) and run it while watching fans and temp gauge. Fans should cycle at some point.

How many miles on engine?
Last tuneup?
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Old 12-10-2018, 10:25 AM   #5
sibanez
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie-III View Post
Your profile states 2002 WRX, your thread title states 2007 WRX.....typo?

As to bad Subaru HG's, I have yet to see mixing of oil and coolant and I have seen quite a few bad HG's (2.2 NA, 2.5NA, 2.2 turbo and 2.5 turbo).

You can open hood, start car, cabin heat off (increases heat load through radiator) and run it while watching fans and temp gauge. Fans should cycle at some point.

How many miles on engine?
Last tuneup?
Thanks, the 2002 was many Subarus ago. I've owned a few more since then

The 2007 was purchased recently, with the understanding that it may need a new motor. I have a EJ255 from a 2006 WRX wagon that I can swap, but if it doesn't need the new motor, I'd be happier.

I've run the it like you suggested and the fans came on as expected . . . pressure testing the system this evening.

Maintenance was up-to-date, with everything being done at a local Subaru dealership. One-owner car, no tunes or abuse.
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Old 12-14-2018, 07:11 PM   #6
sibanez
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WRB blue

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie-III View Post
Your profile states 2002 WRX, your thread title states 2007 WRX.....typo?

As to bad Subaru HG's, I have yet to see mixing of oil and coolant and I have seen quite a few bad HG's (2.2 NA, 2.5NA, 2.2 turbo and 2.5 turbo).

You can open hood, start car, cabin heat off (increases heat load through radiator) and run it while watching fans and temp gauge. Fans should cycle at some point.

How many miles on engine?
Last tuneup?
So, I've confirmed that the water pump is leaking, so that's a start.

Did a combustion chemical test, and the liquid didn't change colors.

I'm still not seeing it overheat. WRX has 152K miles, water pump and TB were done at 90K. Oil changes every 3-5K, only blue Subaru coolant is used.

I called the dealer that diagnosed it and they didn't help. "Tech reported signs of HG and coolant in the combustion chamber". I asked if they checked the exhaust or plugs and was told that it's been too long.

So what's next?
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Old 12-15-2018, 03:22 PM   #7
blue wrench
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Internal headgasket failures can vary in severity. It can range from being so bad that (with the rad cap off) coolant will shoot out of the rad, to a small failure from a single cylinder that may not show up until the engine is warmed up and under load.

How did you find the water pump leaking? That would make sense, I've seen that code appear mostly from a low coolant level in the radiator (not just the overflow) because of a failure elsewhere. Meaning, topping off the coolant will likely make the code go away but not fix the problem.
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Old 12-15-2018, 03:43 PM   #8
sibanez
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blue wrench View Post
Internal headgasket failures can vary in severity. It can range from being so bad that (with the rad cap off) coolant will shoot out of the rad, to a small failure from a single cylinder that may not show up until the engine is warmed up and under load.

How did you find the water pump leaking? That would make sense, I've seen that code appear mostly from a low coolant level in the radiator (not just the overflow) because of a failure elsewhere. Meaning, topping off the coolant will likely make the code go away but not fix the problem.
I smelled coolant, and started tracking down where . . . as stupid as that sounds. I jacked the car up, pulled the undertray and stated pulling parts until I found it . . .definitely a leak, debating whether to pull the motor and replace the entire thing, or to put on a new waterpump and see if the code comes back.
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