yet again seen something that dont seem right on the scoob

topping the coolant up car was off and stone cold not started at all..

filling the coolant up and under neath the car i can see a drip coming from front passanger side a bit back from the bottom rad hose ? but once i stop topping it up etc and run the car it stops ?

its dripping from a metel heat shield sorta thing i might try and take a pic as i have no idea what it is ?

 

dripping from this ?

 

Looking at the rust marks i'd say thats been leaking for some time. You need to be looking higher up in the engine bay

 

yea does look that way... i cant see anything dripping though anywhere

 

That's the #2/#4 exhaust manifold heat shield Joe. There's no coolant circulating round or inside that. If it's dripping from there, there are two explanations: Either you spilled some and it's found its way to (and is dropping off of) the lowest convenient point, or you have a coolant leak somewhere above it. If you're sure you haven't spilt any, that only leaves a leak as an explanation.

There are a number of things that can cause coolant to drip down to the exhaust manifolds on that side of the engine. There's a coolant plug immediately above it, water pump in front and above, plus a load of distributor pipes running up and over the top of the block.

It looks from your picture as though something has been dripping down the heat shield on a pretty regular basis - and left that rusty mark.

It's also worrying that you say the leak stops after you drive the car. One possible explanation for that is that coolant is being lost until it gets below the position of the leak (and will be blown out under pressure as the engine runs). Either way, if you have a leak, your cooling system is effectively useless and you're at risk of overheating the engine.

Some context here would make it easier for us to understand what's going on. First of all what age is your car, and secondly, if you fill the header tank (the one on the inlet manifold) to the brim, does it stay brimmed, or does it drop down (either immediately or as you drive)?

 

i filled the header tank up last night to the brim and this morning went to have a look once everything sorted itself out

it was only just below the cap so never lost alot at all... i only notice the leak when im filling the header tank up and im being careful not to overfill ?

strange thing is that it never over heats only comes a little touch above half way no where near the red?

im tempted to replace all with samcos lol

i dont think its my water pump as it does it with the engine off ?

 

You need to get under there with a torch and a mirror so you can work out with authority where it's coming from - it must be coming from somewhere else in order to be able to drop onto the exhaust. Weird set of symptoms this.

Incidentally, if that rusty mark is anything to go by, your coolant doesn't look like it's in particularly good condition. Do you fill up with a proper water/coolant mix, or just water?

Don't go replacing anything at the moment until you know what's wrong. You could replace all the soft pipes with Samco, but if it's coming from one of the metal ones, you won't fix anything.

Also, some questions: When the engine is cold and you squeeze the main coolant supply and return pipes to the radiator, do they both feel squelchy and full of liquid? Secondly, if you try the same test on the upper pipe when the engine's hot, does it feel very hard and difficult to compress?

 

fill up with propa coolant m8.. one reason why i wanna change to samcos can do a flush at the same time .. just weanna get to the bottom of this lol

 

Did you clean off/up the metal gasket and reseal properly when you did the thermostat ? That would open up under heat if it's lost its bonding integrity.

 

Mr C fitted it mate..

seems to be driping when cold

 

There is a pipe just above further back from the thermostat location which could pi55/drip on that heat shield.

 

i can squeeze it mate and can hear the water moving around this is what cause's the dipping under the car "this is the upper pipe"

cant say the pipes are hard to compress as can squeeze them about having to try hard.

i pray its not a hg failure

 

I had exactly the same symptoms - only leaked when the engine was stone cold with the header tank cap off.

Turned out to be the water pump. I think the seals degrade over time - eventually you will probably end up with a constant drip, so best to get sorted soon (and keep an eye on the water in the mean time!).

It's an expensive job - the pump was about £90 (the seals can't be changed), and to access it, the drive belts need to come off. Fortunately, mine was booked in for a cam belt change at the same time!

 

it seems to stop when the cars warmed up ? but drips when cold

gonna run it to a garage tomorrow and hopefully work out what it is.. hopefully its not the water pump as i no its a big job

 

Yep, mine only dripped when cold. It confused the garage at first, because they couldn't get it to leak due to the engine being warm. I guess the warmth helps the seals expand slightly and become more flexible. After leaving it for a couple of hours, they managed to get it to leak and confirm that it was the water pump.

It could be a good time to get the cambelt changed, if it hasn't been done recently, but not cheep either way.....

 

Yeah, look at it as an oppertunity. Belt change and lightened pullys at the same time

 

just need to source parts might have to take it off the road for a month or two looks like

 

What sorta cost would i be looking at do you rekon seeing as you guys been down this road etc ?

 

Costs for??

 

just looked on extreme scoobys for cost of cambelt looking at about a grand in rekon with a few extra bits on top..

better get saving lol

 

Do tell

 

lightweight pullys
hids
cambelt

as this is a big job might as well get some extra bolted on im open for ideas nothing to crazy tho lol

 

A GRAND?? What are you looking at having fitted at the same time??

 

well if i was planning todo a big job as people are saying thought might as well make the most of it.... i dont no what to add to the car tho apart from the stuff above..

 

Well Scoobyworld will do your pully set and a belt change for £400, that leaves you £600 worth of goodies to go at. Big Grin

Brakes and suspension/handling would be my choice if not already done

 

already got brakes and coilovers lol

you got the link for the scooby world thing mate.. i cant find water pumps on there not sure were to get one of those can you get uprated ones ?

 

Scoobyworld don't seem to list them mate, Graham Goode does though @ £45, don't think you can get an uprated version AFAIK

scoobyworld

http://www.grahamgoode.com/subaru/parts.php?item=GGS122

 

Thanks for the links mate..

the scooby world one goes to fuel pumps lol

 

99% sure that'll be the thermostat housing or the little pipes connected to the back of it.
They are directly above that exhaust manifold / heat shield with the rust on.

Rust stain will lead you directly to the leak if you get your head under there and open your eyes.

 

ive seen leaks on engines loads of times were they only leak while cold and the metals have contracted,wouldnt suprise me if it were the thermostat housing as fuzz stated or the water pump mate