When checking the coolant level on an Impreza what level should it be at in the header tank? Right at the brim or about 1/2" below?

Ta

 

to the brim, but its the overflow bottle where u check the level.
Jay

 

I was told the over flow was not a level check just a over flow that does not need to be topped up??

 

My understanding is header tank to be full to the brim and overflow bottle to the top mark so that if header tank loses a bit of coolant it can get it from the overflow tank

 

Nope, it keeps the cooling system full or allows coolant to flow back when the system expands
When hot, when the car cools down the overflow bottle returns the coolant back to the cooling system,Think of it as a reservoir, that is the bit you fill the car from, the header tank only needs filling when filling the full system back up from empty or running too low from the overflow bottle.
Jay

 

Many thanks jay

 

My overflow is always empty.

 

To clarify, it's an expansion bottle not an overflow. It has to be there for the expanded coolant when it's hot. The min and max levels are on the side of that and should be maintained. I used to check mine when cold and so made sure it was ok. If you check it when hot it may well go over the max mark, but that is ok, it is an expansion bottle and is meant to do that. At no time should it be empty.

 

Well I used to top it up (on all cars, not just the Scoob) and next time I check it`ll be empty so I just leave them empty. Never caused a problem

 

You will be playing lucky dip with your head gasket, would you run your car with no oil on the dipstick, its the same thing it should be at least on
Min cold.
Jay