Stephen Cole

Hello
Havent been on here for a long time but now have an issue and need advice
1996 (manufactured 1994) Subaru WRX (import)
Rarely use it these days, but occasionally take it for a short spin to keep it moving

Approx 2 weeks ago took for a longer run than normal.
All running fine
Did a more spirited run home than normal
and heard an unexpected change in the turbo whine [not sure if this is relevant]
But still running fine and inspection when home didn’t notice anything

This weekend took for it for usual short spin
All sounded normal
But when back there was steam from a water drip onto the exhaust
and the coolant header tank was weaping from the top joint area
pictures to follow
No sign of any expansion into the other plastic header overflow reservoir
nor of any bubbling in that reservoir

Letting it cool down for short period, then restarted car, and all ok for a minute or so, then when gets hotter again the leak reoccurs
Too dangerous to remove pressure cap when hot

Next day (when cold)
level in overflow reservoir had gone down about 1cm
(and less than I feared)

No sign of water in oil or oil in water, nor of white smoke on starting

Started from cold, with pressure cap off
could see some bubbling inside
which was worse when rev-ing it
(and level rose due to normal expansion, normal pumping, AND this extra bubbling)

So, what do you think ?

Sounds like head gasket ? (or could it be a seal in the turbo [not sure if pressure there can leak into coolant channels])

Still strange that with the pressure cap on, we don’t see venting to the overflow reservoir
and instead pressure gets high enough to damage and leak from the header tank
(maybe those tanks get old and tend to leak? anyone know? But just replacing that wont overcome the real cause)

Might try to look at each of the spark plugs next, to see if any signs of anything unusual

I was also thinking of selling the vehicle some time, but this now messes up those plans!
Anyone know what its worth both in its current suspect state and if fixed?
<details removed in case violates rules>

Stephen Cole

Stephen Cole

Apologies for the last part of the text above that mentions I might be selling it at some point.
Dont want to violate any forum rules
Was just after an idea of how much it might be worth

stockcar

he early header tanks are well known to split at the seam so that is far more likely than a head gasket issue unless it it actually pressurising, etc

Stephen Cole

Thanks
That would match with the pressure cap not showing any venting
as would be easier to escape through the seam

Now to see where I can get one

Can anyone confirm that with the cap off, some 'bubbling' is normal
A certain amount could be normal due to the pumping action

Stephen Cole

Yes, looks like it was just a leaky header tank.
The bubbling inside was just normal pumping action.