HI All
advice needed, I have noticed that the water in the Plastic expansion bottle is slowly going down !! cant spot any leak or damp patches on the floor.


(Car is a 04 uk STI impreza)


This is worrying me as I am thinking then it must be leaking into the engine.
The oil is clean so it not getting in there.


I am guessing head gasket and its burning the water off.


Any thoughts please


and any idea of the cost of getting the head gaskets done by a garage.


Regards
ian

 

Most probably just a leak. Doesn't sound like typical HG symptoms to me. Get it pressure tested as that'll show up any leaks.

 

check the rad on the L/H top corner, there is a small pipe that tends to crack and can weep.

 

HI


Thanks for the advice


I will look to see if the pipe is cracked when I get home, if not I will get it pressure tested 'great advice' I never thought of that and I would of just booked it in to have gaskets done.


Regards
Ian

 

4k for an engine rebuild it a tad extream without check a few cheap things first lol

 

4K !! Putting it that way I see the point not that simple.


New to performance cars my history is of old fords where It was a simple few bolts to take manifold, carb and head off (all singular) with engine still in car and change over the head gasket.


Still learning


Regards
Ian

 

Nope headgasket on a subaru is basicly a full rebuild unless you wanna risk the crank bearings failing as soon as its back on the road.

 

If its just plastic expansion bottle changing level i wouldn't worry,this is supposed to do this as your car will suck water from there when car is turned off and is cooling down (its to do with expansion in the system,hence name,expansion bottle). If radiator or header tank loose coolant then i would worry. If you didn't have expansion bottle,then top radiator hose would collapse when car was off and cooling down

 

What he said^^^^

 

Again Thanks for all the advice.


I have been checking the expansion bottle level in the mornings before I start the car.


The level has dropped from top level mark to just above lower level mark over a period of about two weeks.


I will be booking it in shortly for a pressure test somewhere and see what they say.


Thanks again
Ian

 

does the level ever go back up or always down ?

 

HI unfortunately when I check it in the mornings (cold) the level just seems to be lowering slowly, Hasn't emptied yet (topped it up) but the radiator and header tank has never been low (all ways full)when checked


Regards
Ian

 

ok, my water level rises and drops about an inch or so, but never carries on dropping.

 

This is fine,you're car is supposed to do this!!

 

The water level seems to be dopping quicker,


is it worth replacing the two radiator caps ? if so where is the best place to get them !


on another note, I read a comment some where saying you should never remove the cap on the radiator itself only the header tank !!
I have removed both caps to check levels (not at the same time)
Have I done some thing Bad ?


regards
ian

 

thats more a saftey thing, if engine is up to temp thge coolant will be very hjot and be kept form boiling by pressure, release it and out comes scalding water

 

Aye, never remove from a hot engine: the water is above boiling point and pressurised. release the pressure, it will boil VERY quickly and almost explode out as scalding steam.

NOT good

 

[QUO TE=porkster0;11699256]The water level seems to be dopping quicker,


is it worth replacing the two radiator caps ? if so where is the best place to get them !


on another note, I read a comment some where saying you should never remove the cap on the radiator itself only the header tank !!
I have removed both caps to check levels (not at the same time)
Have I done some thing Bad ?


regards
ian[/QUOTE]

If there is water/coolant in the header tank,then you're ok as this is the highest point (like mentioned,obviously check it when engines cold).
i often remove my caps both at the same time to inspect and it doesn't cause problems,although i do always refit the radiator cap before the header tank,so as not to trap air,like you would if you put your finger on top of a straw.
If you can move the parts of the radiator caps freely then they're probably fine,i left mine to soak in descaler for a while and They came up like new.
Does your car overheat or does temperature gauge fluctuate at all?

 

if you have no leaks, get a sniff test done before you start spending . . . . . . . .

 

Hi all
thanks for all the replys, manged to get deeper look into it this weekend after leaving the car stood still for a few days.

Upon inspection the offside bottom of the radiator is wet with a trail down the car panel under the radiator corner. also the plastic expansion bottle was empty down to the bottom of the rubber tube.

I am going to replace the radiator what would you recommend a standard subaru radiator or an upgrade ? car just has normal road use

Regards
Ian

 

Thanks for all the advice


Ended up ordering an all alloy Mishimoto rad with top/bottom hoses all from Amber Performance as they did me a good deal.


Cant wait for it to arrive so I can get it fitted and the car back on the road.


Regards
Ian