Subaru Cooling System Conditioner

[Silver04WRX]

I got my 30K done at Smart Service a few weeks ago. I haven't had any issues with leaking coolant, but I read about the conditioner in the other threads (like the Cooling FAQ) and everyone says you HAVE to use this even if you don't have a recall vehicle.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=504002

I've talked to Smart Service, Carter, Chaplins, and SOA and they all said it wasn't necessary.

I'm not really sure what to do. It's like $1 something for the conditioner, so why not? But at the same time, I don't want to have something go wrong and have the dealers say its my fault for adding it - I heard it has to be added directly to the radiator? I'm not really familiar with the cooling system.

Thanks for any help.

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[Unsung Boxer]

it is 'said'

the coolant conditioner is essentially "stop leak." It is a quick fix to keep the headgaskets from leaking on the effected years/models. More specificially, the headgasket leaks at the left rear of the head. Subaru uses the stop-leak MAYBE to keep from having to pay for new headgaskets.

If your car does not fall under the recall, the conditioner is not necessary, in fact, its not recommended. This stuff reacts to air to become gooy. When it comes in contact with a leak, it will plug it up. This has ill-effects as well. It 'could' potentially cause other componants of your vehicle to clog, like the radiator or the heater core.

Its not recommended to use this stuff unless your vehicle is under recall.

So why are they putting this conditioner in your cooling system? Because headgaskets are prone to leak externally. WHY? its not certain, but there are theories that they weren't tightening down the headbolts enough at the factory.

Annonymous

This is all just what is said on the inter-web.

-(unsung)

[Silver04WRX]

Unsung-

Thanks, that's what I was looking for. The regional forum always seems to be more helpful.