Service Bulletin WWP-99: Coolant Conditioner Additive = Head Gasket leak??

speedway7414 · 04-23-2004, 10:40 AM

Head gasket problem?

See:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...nt+conditioner

A month ago, my Suby started running really hot. I checked the antifreeze levels and ended up pouring 3/4 gallon into the radiator- a lot.

Recently, I received this Service Bulletin for a conditioner to be added to the coolant system to avoid head gasket leaks.

Since I believe my head gasket has already been leaking, I am concerned that only adding a conditioner is a band aid measure. I do not want to have the problem resurface once I am out of warranty, or have this existing leak reduce the long term reliability. My 2000 Suby has 48k on it, and I have an extended warranty to 100k or 2006. I expect to get 200k+ miles out of the engine.

*** Any experts out there willing to offer some advice/insight on importance of getting the gasket replaced, and ideas on how to negotiate this?

Thank you in advance for you assistance

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

wayoutwest · 04-23-2004, 01:20 PM

Bump for this too ... I've had to top off my resovior a couple times and I have 4000 miles left on the warranty.

heffergm · 04-23-2004, 01:23 PM

Adding conditioner to an already leaking head gasket isn't going to fix the leak.

If your head gasket really is leaking, you need to bring the car in and make them fix it.

North Ursalia · 04-23-2004, 01:32 PM

Actually, you are quite mistaken. It does fix many of the leaks, but just external ones.

Brian

vvk · 04-23-2004, 04:14 PM

I don't understand: if your car is still under warranty, why don't you just take it to the local dealer and have it fixed?

Coolant conditioner is a prophylactic measure. It's not going to fix an existing problem. If your head gasket is leaking, you need to get it replaced before you fry your engine.

MCGOO · 04-25-2004, 12:58 AM

The rules state that the dealer adds the conditioner, even to an engine that is seeping (not gushing). If it continues to leak it needs gaskets.

If you are out of warranty & your dealer says not covered, call Suabru head office & ask for assistance (don't demand it), & they just might help you.

No promises

McGoo

Charlie-III · 04-25-2004, 02:01 AM

key is to get the "fix" done while under warranty. Make sure the service ticket mentions that you already have a leak.

Then, if it continues/gets worse, it is documented while under warranty.

speedway7414 · 04-29-2004, 04:08 AM

Appreciate all your comments!

for more see http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...5&pagenumber=1

NRTmotorsports · 04-29-2004, 03:00 PM

I am a technician at Subaru and if a car is under warranty the conditioner is added and the leaks continue Subaru will replace the head gaskets under warranty. I have an interesting tech. bulletin I will try to find and post for you.

Psydotek · 04-29-2004, 03:04 PM

I've read it's mostly the EJ25 models, but has it ever happened to any WRXs?

[i just put a bottle of subaru coolant conditioner (little 125mL blue bottle)in my radiator yesterday, but i'm not sure if it's the same stuff as mentioned above...]

NRTmotorsports · 04-29-2004, 09:31 PM

The recall is only on the EJ25 not on the WRX or any other models, just the naturally aspirated 2.5. As for the conditioner its just a little bottle of "stop leak", nothing special, im sure you could even go into the parts department at a dealer and by one for a couple bucks, but why do that when the recall pays for it, but like many other people besides me, I dont like other people working on my car.

Tim Sanderson · 04-30-2004, 07:08 PM

Ya, I got this notice about 2 months after I did my head gaskets. Oh well, I got it fixed and it cost me 50 bucks. Also gave me the opportunity to drop in a new clutch and my lightened flywheel.

speedway7414 · 05-11-2004, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by NRTmotorsports
I am a technician at Subaru and if a car is under warranty the conditioner is added and the leaks continue Subaru will replace the head gaskets under warranty. I have an interesting tech. bulletin I will try to find and post for you.

I do look forward to any related Tech Bullentin you may be able to dig up!

04-23-2004, 10:40 AM	#1
speedway7414 Scooby Newbie Member#: 60253 Join Date: Apr 2004	Service Bulletin WWP-99: Coolant Conditioner Additive = Head Gasket leak?? Head gasket problem? See: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...nt+conditioner A month ago, my Suby started running really hot. I checked the antifreeze levels and ended up pouring 3/4 gallon into the radiator- a lot. Recently, I received this Service Bulletin for a conditioner to be added to the coolant system to avoid head gasket leaks. Since I believe my head gasket has already been leaking, I am concerned that only adding a conditioner is a band aid measure. I do not want to have the problem resurface once I am out of warranty, or have this existing leak reduce the long term reliability. My 2000 Suby has 48k on it, and I have an extended warranty to 100k or 2006. I expect to get 200k+ miles out of the engine. *** Any experts out there willing to offer some advice/insight on importance of getting the gasket replaced, and ideas on how to negotiate this? Thank you in advance for you assistance * Registered users of the site do not see these ads. Last edited by speedway7414; 04-23-2004 at 09:58 PM.

04-23-2004, 04:14 PM	#5
vvk Scooby Newbie Member#: 6436 Join Date: May 2001 Location: Holland, PA Vehicle: 1998 Impreza 2.5RS BDP	warranty? I don't understand: if your car is still under warranty, why don't you just take it to the local dealer and have it fixed? Coolant conditioner is a prophylactic measure. It's not going to fix an existing problem. If your head gasket is leaking, you need to get it replaced before you fry your engine.

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04-23-2004, 01:20 PM	#2
wayoutwest Scooby Specialist Member#: 14379 Join Date: Jan 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: www.greenroom.net Vehicle: 2018 Civic Type R Championship White	Bump for this too ... I've had to top off my resovior a couple times and I have 4000 miles left on the warranty.

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heffergm Scooby Specialist Member#: 34672 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northern VA Vehicle: 2003 wrx WR Blue Pearl	Adding conditioner to an already leaking head gasket isn't going to fix the leak. If your head gasket really is leaking, you need to bring the car in and make them fix it.

04-23-2004, 01:32 PM	#4
North Ursalia Miss You Mom Oct 1940 - Feb 2008 Super Moderator Member#: 809 Join Date: Jan 2000 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: NH, Land Of Many Trees Vehicle: 2000 2.5 RS, '14 For 92 5MT SVX	Actually, you are quite mistaken. It does fix many of the leaks, but just external ones. Brian

04-25-2004, 12:58 AM	#6
MCGOO Scooby Newbie Member#: 47874 Join Date: Nov 2003 Chapter/Region: W. Canada Location: North of 49 Vehicle: 2015 Impreza Deep Blue	The rules state that the dealer adds the conditioner, even to an engine that is seeping (not gushing). If it continues to leak it needs gaskets. If you are out of warranty & your dealer says not covered, call Suabru head office & ask for assistance (don't demand it), & they just might help you. No promises McGoo

04-25-2004, 02:01 AM	#7
Charlie-III Scooby Guru Member#: 30669 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: USA, North NJ, 07456 Vehicle: 1998 Legacy 2.5GT Silver Sleeper BK, 5MT	key is to get the "fix" done while under warranty. Make sure the service ticket mentions that you already have a leak. Then, if it continues/gets worse, it is documented while under warranty.

04-29-2004, 04:08 AM	#8
speedway7414 Scooby Newbie Member#: 60253 Join Date: Apr 2004	Appreciate all your comments! for more see http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...5&pagenumber=1

04-29-2004, 03:00 PM	#9
NRTmotorsports Scooby Specialist Member#: 16517 Join Date: Mar 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Weymouth, MA Vehicle: '13 BRZ	I am a technician at Subaru and if a car is under warranty the conditioner is added and the leaks continue Subaru will replace the head gaskets under warranty. I have an interesting tech. bulletin I will try to find and post for you.

04-29-2004, 03:04 PM	#10
Psydotek Scooby Guru Member#: 44168 Join Date: Sep 2003 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: In your pant[ie]s. Vehicle: 2017 Silver Forester with not enough lights...	I've read it's mostly the EJ25 models, but has it ever happened to any WRXs? [i just put a bottle of subaru coolant conditioner (little 125mL blue bottle)in my radiator yesterday, but i'm not sure if it's the same stuff as mentioned above...]

04-29-2004, 09:31 PM	#11
NRTmotorsports Scooby Specialist Member#: 16517 Join Date: Mar 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Weymouth, MA Vehicle: '13 BRZ	The recall is only on the EJ25 not on the WRX or any other models, just the naturally aspirated 2.5. As for the conditioner its just a little bottle of "stop leak", nothing special, im sure you could even go into the parts department at a dealer and by one for a couple bucks, but why do that when the recall pays for it, but like many other people besides me, I dont like other people working on my car.

04-30-2004, 07:08 PM	#12
Tim Sanderson Scooby Guru Member#: 6486 Join Date: May 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: S.E. wisconsin Vehicle: 00 Impreza 2.5 RS Blue Ridge Pearl	Ya, I got this notice about 2 months after I did my head gaskets. Oh well, I got it fixed and it cost me 50 bucks. Also gave me the opportunity to drop in a new clutch and my lightened flywheel.