WWP-99 Service Campaign - Cooling System Conditioner

[dugrant153]

Originally posted by Siper2
Yes bad things can happen to any car, but this is pretty consistent across the board. It could just be a faulty this or that, but .... What do you guys think?

-S2-

I dunno. I hope it's not consistent, but it seems to be.
Maybe it's because of mods? But even Legacys are getting this problem too??

Are we into the Phase 3 engine now? Or still using Phase 2 in the 2004s?

Hmm... maybe it's the fact that people are using aftermarket coolant instead of the Subaru OEM one??

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[Jon [in CT]]

Originally posted by Andrew Bacon
I went to my local dealer today to get one of their nifty $15 radiator caps, and some of that "Subaru" coolant and conditioner. The guy behind the counter didn't know what fluids I was talking about. That doesn't mean much though, as IMO that dealer sucks in SO many ways in ALL departments. *shrug*

I try never to show up at the parts counter "unarmed" (i.e. without a part number). In this case, you should be asking for Subaru P/N SOA635071 — Subaru Genuine Cooling System Conditioner.

BTW, here's an image of an updated page from the 2004 Impreza Service Manual which mentions it:

[fkmnlvm]

i have a 99 L wagon 2.2L. should i worry about this issue or does this ONLY apply to the 2.5s.

[RChampion]

what if I bought my car used... will I still get the letter?

[Matt]

Originally posted by bigbobchamp
what if I bought my car used... will I still get the letter?

Its possible you may not. I'd contact Subaru and the customer service folks should be able to tell you if you're eligible just by your VIN.

[granteeton]

that campaign is mostly for foresters anyway.

[North Ursalia]

You couldn't be more wrong, but believe whatever you wish . It affects ALL 99-04 2.5L Imprezas and Foresters and ALL 2000-2004 2.5L Legacies . They made a hell of a lot more Outbacks than Foresters sparky .


Brian

[Andrew Bacon]

Originally posted by North Ursalia
Free STi crate motors! PM me for one (no emails)!

Cute

[rallyblues]

Should this dissuade me from buying a new legacy or outback. I mean are we likely to run in to same problems when i go over 60K. I like my cars to last trouble free at least 100K.
I was spoiled by toyotas.

[SubaruImpreza_power]

maybe I better get an older model...

[Rally-RS]

Anyone had this done to their car yet?

I am aksing because I want to know if they replace the coolant at the same time at no charge, or just add the stop leak stuff?

[Opie]

Originally posted by Rally-RS
Anyone had this done to their car yet?

I am aksing because I want to know if they replace the coolant at the same time at no charge, or just add the stop leak stuff?

They are just adding the conditioner, and it is compatable with any coolant, including Dex-cool according to the Subaru Customer Service folks. You will not get your fluid flushed and refilled unless you want them to do that at your cost. The key is to remember to add this conditioner each time you have the coolant flushed from now on. Or at least till 100,000 miles when the new "additional" warranty expires.

2000 RS - 82k & no coolant / headgasket issues
2003 Legacy - 15k & smells like coolant everythime you drive it!

[Brad Pittiful]

i received my recall notice today

[hoodwho]

I wonder if we could get a sticky on the 98 2.5 I know everyone I've talked to has blown HG's at least once...

maybe if there's enough of us we can get them to do something about it..?

[OMAHA2.5RS]

I'm sure Subaru does not make it's own coolant. Does anyone know what brand of coolant Subaru is relabeling for people who
change it themselves?

[Deznuts05]

I've read the first page and it seems like i've already solved it with a bolt of blue devil aka stop leak... my question is that... ppl were getting their cars repaired under warrenty... I bought an extended warrenty for 65k miles but i've added a few mods ie headers, cat-back CAI and under drive pully...

now can the dealer ship consider my mods to be the cause of the HG leaking?

[Hondaslayer]

Just an FYI

This stuff works great.


Tw cars we have been using as "experiments"

91 Legacy,blown headgaskets.Compression type leak. 230k. Overheats every two days. Added SOA stop leak almost three weeks and 1500 miles ago. Zero loss of coolant.


96 Chevy Beretta. Pretty much the same except it would go 4 days before overheating.


Conclusion. Even if it only slows the leak down,at a $1.39 a bottle it can't be beat.


Ben,

[JOHN16V]

I also got a letter from subaru but is for my 00's RS.......But should I bring my 98's RS in too for the coolant conditioner.
I don't mind paying for if it will help my 98's RS....(car is 120,000mile with no sign of HG problem bought it used with 79,000)

So guys? Should I bring my 98RS in?? How much is the conditioner???

thx
J

[North Ursalia]

Originally posted by JOHN16V
So guys? Should I bring my 98RS in?? How much is the conditioner?

$1.39


Brian

[cookr]

changed the head gaskets in. I got a nice letter to come in and get goop and they say they are going to cover the gasket job I had done.
I have sent the origional dealer recipt to them and will let you guys know when I hear back.

[deadbolt]

I have been driving Subaru cars since my first car. I have owned over 20, I currently have 3 sitting in my driveway. I am in a rather unique position, as I have actually seen how the company as a whole works from the inside.

I am very disappointed in SOA for doing this, add stop leak to a car with a blown head gasket, in other words, put a band-aid on a third degree burn.

I am beginning to think it is time for a new brand. Hmm... the GTO looks nice.

[dugrant153]

But not all Subaru's have this problem, right?
There are still quite a few out there without problems?

[dingo dave]

Does anyone have a percentage for # of these 2.5 ltr engines that have actaully had to have their gaskets replaced? I mean, are we talking 1 in 20, 1 in 4, 1 in 2?


So, the ideal situation would be to:
1) take car to the dealer and get goop dumped into coolant
2) hope gasket gets blown before 100k miles
3) have newly engineered gaskets replace the faulty ones for free


If this is so, is there any way to accelerate the failure of the gaskets?

If not, should i seriously consider selling my '00? It has 61K miles on it.

[nathansvt]

The primary reason SOA made this a recall rather than TSB (probably) is that it has the potential to affect vehicle emissions. If your vehicle is out of the normal warranty period, you should still be able to get this fix done free of charge if you are still in the original vehicle's emission warranty period and have not modified your emissions controlls.

[obyone]

Did you guys get a recall letter from Subaru? I just got one saying...and I quote:

This letter is sent to you in the interest of continued customer satisfaction. As a precautionary measure, SOA is recommending that a special conditioner be added to the engine cooling system of certain 99 through 2002 model year Subaru vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines. This recommendation, which applies to your Subaru vehicle, is made to prevent a possible external coolant leak at your vehicle's engine cylinder head gasgets.

There's more to it but I'm not about to type the whole thing out.

It does go on to say that the coolant system is a liquid coolant/anti-freeze system and that over time, it's possible for small external leaks to develop at the engine cylinder head gasgets. Supposedly, it's a result from normal expansion and contraction of the components from heating and cooling of the parts. They say a special coolant conditioner should be added to keep this from happening.

Now here's the kicker, I think my ish is already leaking. Last time I went to remove my header, I saw a small pool of coolant around my control arms yet I couldn't find out where it was leaking from. Everything looked dry. I guess now I know.