Ok.

Had a "Proper Drive" up to and home from Old Trafford in the scoob yesterday to watch that shower of **** draw 1-1 with us.

Anyway, on the return I find that after driving hard (I was having to follow and keep up with Mark Khan) that apon stopping my heaters were blowing cold, and my temp guage soared.

So, stopped the car switched her off and let her cool down. It appears that the overflow where the coolant is put had pissed this green (I presume anti-freeze) inside the engine bay. Now, I opened the water resevoir after it had cooled off and it was empty. I squeezed the pipe going to the rad and this was making noises suggesting no water....so..I filled it up, started the car, and the temp guage dropped back down.

So, there is no white spots in the oil cap (suggesting head problems in my experience?) and there is no visable or any strange noises, but I lost a fair bit of water...no visable leaks but the coolant filling bit was right up at the top...whats happened? Lost water and got an air lock by chance?

I would appreciate anyones help with this, especially all you engine xperts!

Kind Regards
Ronnie

 

Had the same problem with my Legacy Turbo earlier this year. It turned out to be the radiator core had gone.

£150 later, and a second hand rad from Grade A Subaru breakers (over £300 from Subaru)no more problems.

I suggest you get it pressure tested, and take it from there. It could be as simple as the rubber gasket in the cap needs replacing, but get it checked any way.

James

 

sounds like it could be new head gasket and head skim time,

 

Thanks guys....

I have checked the water before, obviously...to no harm.

As for the head gasket, I have been told that this is not the case if the oil is showing no sign of water in it...?

R

 

it won't show signs of oil in it because the water is going in to the cylinder not the oil ways thus you lose water and compression gasses make it in to the cooling system pressurising the coolant and blowing it out of the rad . although it is more common with 2.5 legacys i have done some turbos.
also you could try smelling the antifreeze to see if it smells burnt.

 

Hi Ron mate,

As much as it pains me to have to agree with Scoobyboy,it does sound like your head gasket has gone.Have done a few Twin Turbo Legacys recently with the same problems.Get a pressure check on the cooling system ASAP.If nothing shows up be prepared for engine out time.

Steve

P.S call me

 

Just a long shot, but it would be worth getting the rad' cap checked. They have a double seal, and if the centre one is releasing pressure early, water will vent to the expansion bottle, and then overflow.

Check and see if the area around the expansion bottle is wet, after a blast.

Mark.

 

Cheers Lads.

Steve, thanks for the info...

Mark- i think this might well be the case, because it pissed fluid out of the expansion bottle overflow thingy and when I turned the engine off the level was right at the top on that side (not much left in the rad filling tank), it had pissed a merky minging green coolant coloured water in the engine bay...is this sounding like rad cap? (trying to get one today)

R

 

RonaldoH
IMHO
I would still get the system pressure tested, it only takes a few minutes most garages or rad specialists can do it. The cap/seal may have gone due to excessive pressure build up.

Better safe than sorry.

Paul

 

Merci Paul

Been busy today, so may try to get her looked at tommorow. Poor old thing.

R

 

I agree with Paul, get it checked. It may have vented out because you overfilled it, to compensate for the "leak", or boiled and vented becase the water was too low.

Mark.