Righty then , noticed an issue with my hawkeye spec d ! Well not entirely sure if it's an issue as yet but wondering if anyone else has the same symptoms

Car runs and drives lovely makes good boost, doesn't overheat , temp gauge never really moves from above a third ! Fans come in and then cut out ! Doesn't use any coolant !

When I go for a good blast and drive hard and get it hot I notice the radiator overflow bottle has risen and when running has small bubbles . When I stop the engine bubbles continue for a while and then stop . Now sometimes the following day the coolant will filter back down and into system but sometimes I doesnt and I have to removes the bottle and pour in back into the expansion tank but I never have to add any coolant ! Now I can drive it all day long all week to work and it's all good , no bubbles etc .

Thermostat changed and still the same issue and both rad caps changed also !
I did use the search and see a few of the same issues and one even for a couple years with no bother ! Anyone else ?

Cheers maz

 

Sounds like the start of head gaskets going mate. Especially as it only does it after a blast.

Go and have a sniff test done on your coolant. Also temp gauges dont move from about a third unless its overheating so doesnt tell you whether its running hotter or not.( All modern cars are the same which makes the gauges bloody useless tbh)

 

I have sniffed it and just smells of coolant ! Should I just leave it as it doesn't use coolant and the oil hasn't mixed !

 

He means go to a garage and have the sniff test done!

 

Almost certainly HG on the way out!

 

 

But surely it would overheat or coolant and oil mix ?

 

No mate not on a Subaru. This is what they do. Compression gasses are being forced into the coolant waterways causing the bubbles and the raised levels.

Its not going to get any better. You could stick your head in the sand and live with it, but that may cost more in the long run. Sorry mate life sucks.

The 2.5's are known for it i'm afraid.

 

Even with cosworth gaskets and 14mm studs ?

 

What, you have had the work done then?

 

I thought the standard 2.5,s did this as people ran more boost and the head bolts stretched causing the issue ?

 

Pistons, rods , bearings , liners , gaskets etc ! Turbo , headers , catch can , injectors etc !

 

How long ago and who did the work?

 

Also did you change the thermostat to cure it or did it start since you changed it?

 

Had the stat changed to see if it cured the symptom and block was brought separately and mated to my heads about 18 months or so and at time 14mm studs was fitted along with gaskets ! Been fine up until last month when noticed the overflow ! It has had a good few sessions on dyno running meth and 1.8 bar lol !

I'll keep an eye on it and see what happens !

 

get a sniffer test done to be sure, then go from there

 

I'm having exactly the same problem. I only had cosworth head gaskets and an engine rebuild just over a year ago and the car has been off the road a lot due to losing 3rd gear. It's only when I bost that it kicks it all into the expansion tank. Will be keeping an eye on this thread as If it is head gaskets then the garage will be getting car back again!!

 

If not head gasket after sniff test check for an air lock in the system, ie drop coolant and refill properly.

 

As above....and if it were MY car, I'd be getting the sniff test done sooner, rather than later

 

You don't necessarily have a head gasket problem - check this Subaru technical manual and it explains why you get bubbling and why your fans are activating.

http://ken-gilbert.com/wrx/STi_Manual/index.htm

Go to main section 8 - Mechanism and Function
Then sub-section 17 (not 7!) - Cooling
Then check sub-sub section 2 - Cooling Circuits bullet point 3 and page 2
Also useful is sub-sub section 6 - Radiator Fan page 3
And sub-sub sections 7 and 8 - Radiator Cap and Relief Valve Cap (make sure they're the right way round on your car.

I've checked with a Prodrive Subaru engineer who used to work on their rally cars and what you describe is normal. It is also backed up by the above technical manual. The coolant should be about the minimum when cold and about maximum when hot.

A sniff test would put your mind at rest though.

 

TBH, not sure he knows what a sniff test is..........

 

Instead of belittling him or trying to make out everyone should know everything about everything, why not explain to him what it is or point him in the right direction.

 

Holy thread revival batman.

Anyway, why would I? Does his search function not work? Google not working?

FAR too many people just ask without looking, do YOU not think that folk like me get fed up of typing the same stuff, week in, week out? Or maybe you think we are here for that?

 

Sadly sounds like the start of hg failure, might pass a sniff test unless you've hooned it just before, but I've had this several times on my spec d. As mentioned 2.5 are notorious for it!

 

Oops yeah what a plank, the mobile app automatically links to similar posts which this was never even noticed the date lol.

I completely understand that but rather than mock just stay silent.

 

Who mocked?

I made a comment. If the guy DID know, he could have said so. if he didn't, maybe he Googled or Searched it.
he didn't ask, so no more was said.

I sometimes ask questions about 'puters on here. Despite asking for asnwers in basic English, I sometimes end up confused...in which case I ask for clarification, or Google the terms used.

Not rocket science, is it?

Yret you would be surprised at how many times I've had a stroppy response to a suggestion to use the search, even pointing out where to start, so as to avoid having to either search myself, or type my previous response out again, and again, and again...

It does get boring, and I do have better things to do.

 

That PDF from mistermexican is very useful and interesting.
Worthy of a holy thread revival Batman!