glen9010 Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Been watching my coolant level and it appears to be going down in the overflow tank. I top it off to the high cold mark and over a few weeks, it will be almost empty. There are no leaks and I have recently changed the coolant and looked around for any possible solutions. Only has 48k miles for being a 2005. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AShoe Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Pull the engine cover and check the coolant line coming off the top of the turbo. That's where mine had a leak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compsurge Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Mine is leaking by the rubber hose that goes to the oil cooler. I noticed it when I was doing my oil change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glen9010 Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 I haven't seen any leakage on the driveway. I figured it would show itself but nothing yet. Could this be one of the head gasket issues? I hope not! Runs good. Mileage isn't real good but typical I suppose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HCF Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 When you changed the coolant, did you use Subaru coolant + Subaru coolant conditioner? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glen9010 Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 You bet I did! Didn't want to chance anything. Same as when I changed the ATF. Used ATF-HP. The coolant level dropping was doing this before the coolant change. I am wondering if I should change the plugs and see if they are really "clean", as in steam cleaned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamarocket630 Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 A slow leak often doesn't drip, it evaporate before that much builds up. Also I can tell you from experience that the Subaru coolant doesn't leave much of a residue even when it does leak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwiener2 Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 2 things might be happening you have a leak that only leaks when the system is hot and under pressure. Because it's hot, it evaporates quickly. Drive around (aggressively wouldn't hurt) and then check under the hood while things are nice and hot. You'll be sniffing it out first than looking for leaks. the other possibility is that you have a headgasket issue that overflows your overflow tank while you're out on the road. By the time you get to checking it, the coolant has all been sucked out of the overflow. My Mods List (Updated 8/22/17) 2005 Outback FMT Running on Electrons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glen9010 Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 Thanks for the tips. I'll be looking for a hot leak over the next few days. I would think if the overflow tank does overflow, I would see some indication of the "stains". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwiener2 Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 one would think that, but it's not always the case My Mods List (Updated 8/22/17) 2005 Outback FMT Running on Electrons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
450exc115 Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Check as many hose connections as you can. My wifes was leaking at the lower radiator hose and just needed a new clamp. Also look at the core to tank connection on the radiator, the plastic tanks can crack over time or leak at the seems. Lastly look near the water pump, if that starts to go it will weep out a hole in the bottom. The head gasket issue is on the older NA cars as the turbo motors have better gaskets. I put turbo gaskets on my parents 03 NA when it started to leak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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