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Old 07-13-2003, 12:49 PM   #1
imprezzakc
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Question Oil spots in coolant

I have taken my car to a subaru service dept for this issue , so i am just looking for feedback . about 6 months ago I was doing a rad drain and fill ( I do it around every 6 months with a full flush once a year ) anyway when I pulled the cap off the radiator I found little oil spots in the coolant . I decided to check the overflow tank and there they were also . So I take the car to Subaru and they do a leakdown and compression test and say they find no problems and that the spots are normal . Well 6 months later and after I do a flush and thermostat swap before I put the rad cap back there they are again . I have no problems as far as overheating , and I dont see any coolant or moisture in the oil . So what gives ? I am planning a turbo kit in the next 6 months or so but i would like to resolve this issue befor then . BTW the only engine mods i have is an intake and exhaust . Castrol syntec ever 3000 then every 2500 after 50000 miles the car has 66000 right now .
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Old 07-13-2003, 02:23 PM   #2
CharT
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Did you put Redline water wetter into the cooling system?
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Old 07-13-2003, 03:10 PM   #3
ws6fiero
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Also, did you ever use WD-40 or another lubricant to slip on a hose?
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Old 07-13-2003, 06:29 PM   #4
imprezzakc
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I thought about the water wetter (which I did try ) but that was more than 18 months ago , and the oil spots happend around 6 months ago . So I did a full coolant flush plus a rad drain and fill befor the spots appeared .
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Old 07-13-2003, 06:45 PM   #5
ws6fiero
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Is there just an oily film on the top of the water, or are there actual drops of oil floating around?
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Old 07-13-2003, 08:30 PM   #6
imprezzakc
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They look like actual little drops of oil about the size of (0) .
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Old 07-14-2003, 09:27 AM   #7
Albert
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Default Re: Oil spots in coolant

Quote:
Originally posted by imprezzakc
Castrol syntec ever 3000 then every 2500 after 50000 miles the car has 66000 right now .
Sorry I can't help specifically re your oil spots, however after 30k miles it's not uncommon to get a visible oily film coating the inside of the overflow tank.

IMO, unless there are extenuating circumstances (extreme outside temps, pedal to the floor everytime you accelerate, many short distanct trips, or some serious stop and go traffic jams) you seem to be over-doing it on the oil changes especially since it seems you are using an $$ fully synthetic oil s
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Old 07-14-2003, 10:23 AM   #8
vile
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well, hate to tell ya this, but those rs's are notorious for having blown head gaskets

you could be at a very early stage, that's why your leak down and compression test came out ok

hope for the best, plan for the worst
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Old 07-16-2003, 10:57 AM   #9
Charlie-III
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Quote:
Originally posted by vile
well, hate to tell ya this, but those rs's are notorious for having blown head gaskets

you could be at a very early stage, that's why your leak down and compression test came out ok

hope for the best, plan for the worst
It is not just the RS's, it is ANY 2.5L from recent history that Subaru made.
The Phase-1 (up to 99?) blew head gaskets that leaked into the cooling system usually.
The Phase-2's (99+) blew head gaskets that usually leaked onto the ground.
This does not mean they can't leak somewhere else, but it is pretty common. From what I am seeing, the Phase-2's are starting to have problems with head gaskets as they add up the miles.
I just hope they did better with the 2.5L turbos.
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Old 07-18-2003, 07:00 PM   #10
minix42@
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Oil spots in the coolant are NOT normal. I can't believe they told you that. Especially since you're not under warranty anymore... You'd think they would at least warn you about the history of headgasket problems and tell you what to watch out for.

It took a year and a half (maybe two years) for my headgasket to progress from an unknown problem to finally killing my engine.

Hold off on the Turbo. It will only accellerate the damage. If after flushing the coolant you noticed oil spots again, bite the bullet and get your engine torn down before you need a whole new shortblock like me.

mike
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