Shades-sti

Just purchased my first impreza 2 days ago, a 1998 sti version 5 type-r.

When got home and parked it up I noticed it was dripping coolant/water. But I had driven in 50miles and no problem.

It seems now that it does not do it all the time, just sometimes. But drives fine and the temperature/thermostat is bang where it should be.

On close inspection the dropping is coming from the front left of the engine (thought originally was intercooler water) where there is a black round cylinder next to the radiator, I still cannot see where exactly the leak is coming from as it’s inconsistent.

Any help I would be very very grateful

Thanks

Shades-sti

think the leak is coming from the bottom left of the radiator as you look at it, not 100% though. but all that area is very wet.

where the radiator mounts, you can see through the front bumper is wet on the mount, then very wet as i look from underneath. but can see splash marks quite far up the engine bay.

doing my head in, my first impreza and only had it a few days


ALSO, how should i top up the coolant? just simply fill up the bottle behind the passenger headlight to the `F` ?? sorry for being a dumbass!

legacytt

i usually fill it inbetween the l and f mark as for your leak whats the hoses like does sound like a cracked rad keep an eye on it if unsure get a garage to have a look dont want that going it wouldnt be long in emptying.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Hence why I always take a new car to the garage and get it checked over/serviced so you dont have serious issues with things like this
Now budget for a new rad, chances are its that or the piping thats going/gone, not uncommon on a 11 year old car

Tony

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

The radiator end tank will be split (look down the black plastic end tank from the front and you should see it)

You should fill the coolant (when cold obviously) in the header tank (aatatched to the inlet manifold)

Shades-sti

confused, is there two ways to top up the coolant?

thanks

legacytt

if you are doing a full coolant change you fill up from the header tank,im sure you just need to top up the reservoir have a look in the header tank and see if its level with the top.

Shades-sti

so the header tanks needs to be full to the brim?

and then top up the coolant at the thin bottle with yellow cap to the `F` mark???


is this correct?


thanks guys

legacytt

basically as the reservoir will lose some coolant as it will fill up the header tank if its down on some if header tank is fine just watch reservoir as its that extra coolant that helps cool the engine down never let it run dry

Shades-sti

here is my engine

so the header tanks needs to be full to the brim?

and then top up the coolant at the thin bottle with yellow cap to the `F` mark???

is this correct?

Shades-sti

is it worth, firstly topping up the coolant, then checking all hose etc BUT THEN trying RADWELD to repair radiator leaks etc.

will this work???

thanks

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

As I said in my post above, it's more than likely the end tank for the radiator split. It could ofcoarse be something like a hose etc, but the most common cause of coolant leaking there is a split on the plastic end tank of the rad.

Don't mess around with rad wld etc, a new rad is about £100.

You need to make sure the header tank (metal one) is full up to the top and also that the coolant res on right is within it's marks.

Shades-sti

Thanks for all the help guys, all sorted now. been playing with it for the lasy hour and it was a disconnected hose from black round cylinder next to the radiator.

reconnected it with a jubilee clip and topped up the coolant, been for a run. seems ok

Mark

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

If you're talking about the cylinder behind the drivers side head light then that's a carbon cannistor. Nothing in that location that fits that description is to do with the coolant system (unless I'm having brain fade)

I'd keep a close eye on it and have a good visual check (when it's hot) in the daylight paying close attention to the end of the rad (view down from front)

Shades-sti

HELP AGAIN - ITS STILL LEAKING - BADLY

thought i had sorted the problem with a disconnected hose. seems not. got back from work today and it was p*ssing out.

it is defo coming from the left hand side of radiator,

do i need a new rad or can i use something like radweld??

here are some pics, you can see the coolant dripping

legacytt

radweld is just a temporary fix plus it also goes through the coolant system which could block other things best to buy a new rad and then its done properly its an easy job just held on with the two top bolts undo bottom and top hoses use a basin or something that will go under the car to collect the coolant remember to top coolant up slowly when refilling through header tank stops air getting in

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

Are my posts invisible?

stistussy

new radiator only £43.75+£13.75postage on ebay,just fitted one myself.lifetime warranty.looked exactly the same as my original only no leak.