Hi,

Started my car yesterday and it sounded like it was running on three. Checked a few things and everything seemed fine apart from it has used some water ! Recently had cambelt done so rad was off and water refilled don't know if there is a connection.

Anyway took the car for a run and still seemed like it was on 3 ish. Not been far but seems to be getting worse and drinking fuel at a huge rate.

Have re-set ECU and that didn't help.

Could this be a burnt out valve or something like that ?

Clive

 

have u checked the coils and the spark plugs ?

 

No have not as the water issue was there, could it just be a coil pack?

 

Continuing withthe water "issue". What is the exhaust smoke like? Is it white, or seems to be carry ing a lot of water vapour, that does nt clear as it gets warmer?
this could lead to surmising a head gasket failure.

 

I was thinking maybe the same thing, but the fact that the car continues to run rough seems strange. If water was getting in would it not clear after a while?

But to answer your question white smoke is there.

Clive

 

Are you sure the rad was removed? It isn't usual when just changing the belt. Also, having topped it up again (I assue) is it still going down? If it is a gasket (dropped valve shouldn't cause loss of water) and running permanently on 3, it should be drinking water.

Graham

 

Rad was definately removed and water re-filled. Could just the gasket gone cause the car to run like it was on three and clear after a few miles?

 

Basically, yes. Leaking gaskets normally cause the cooling system to be over-pressurised which blows water out of the reservoir when running. When switched off as the engine cools it draws water into the cylinder. On start-up the water fouls the plug so it doesn't fire until the heat from the engine evaporates it off.

 

Sounds like could be just the be gasket then, had to drive the car 10 miles to work this morning and it seems to be running worse than yesterday.

What sort of costs am I going to be looking at ?

Clive

 

Not a clue, sorry. I wouldn't give up on the coilpack theory until proved otherwise, though. How low did it go on water? Having asked that, I am not sure how prone Subarus are to gasket damage when the water runs low.

Graham

 

The header was empty but the temp gauge has never moved above or below normal. I put about 1 litre in to re-fill. I was hoping it was just a leek last week when I first noticed the water as car was running fine. This week it needed about half a litre, been okay through the week that's why I assumed just a small leak.

 

Doesn't sound good, does it. If it is the gasket, and it is down to the rad being underfilled after refitting, you should have a claim against whoever did the work. Unless it was a mate, that is. I only drained mine once, and found refilling was a long process because of airlocks in the system.

 

Was done by a garage, but was a 'cash' job. Has done several things for me before with no probs whatsoever, has a scoob himself. Really hope it's not the under-filling that's done it. But I will question him on this.

Thanks for your help.

Any other comments would be appreciated as I want to be fully armed before going to the garage.

Clive

 

UPDATE.

I am now unsure on the head gasket, I think I may have a small water leak and it is just a coincidence that the car is not running right.

Can someone explain what the symptons are when a coil pack plays up ?

Clive