Hi, my radiator is leaking, there is a green substance all around the top of the radiator that is wet after every drive and smells. It does not seem to loose that much if any fluid to talk of but i am sure its the rad that has gone :-(

My question is does anyone have experience of using a non genuine WRX radiator? Subaru want £300 for one where as the likes of flebay have loads for £100-£150ish that are alloy and look like they will do the job just fine.. ie this one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ALLOY-RACING-R...item53e3fc2be3

Any advice appriciated as i dont want to spend £300 on one from subaru!

cheers

Leon

 

funny, iv got exactly the same thing at the moment - iv got a blobeye, and along the very top when you open the bonnet theres a slight bit of dampness all the way along and its a little bit green, as if its the coolant dried out....but im not convinced of yet, im not really losing any coolant so im just keeping an eye on it for now.....ever noticed it until we had this cold weather.

 

The bond breaks along the edge of the rad so the water is forced out under pressure when hot, then dries leaving the antifreeze residue. You will be using water but not loads. Mine was the same for a long time before I changed it. Had mine done through RCM so not sure what was used. I will check my receipt and post back later. Even now it is all done it still 'loses' about 3/4 inch of water over about 4 to 5 weeks.

 

I wonder if this is a common problem, my previous Subaru needed a new Radiator so for me thats 2 subarus and 2 radiators!. The only other issue i had with my previous one was the Gearbox so i hope that trend does not follow! However i had done 98k where as mine is still only on 36k :-)

Yes on mine it also dries out but is clearly a green fluid all aroud the top.... hopefully someone can offer some advice.

 

presumably your running green coolant yeh?
Im not overly worried about mine at the moment, as im not really losing hardly any coolant, but i will be keeping an eye on it - and tbh i check my coolant and oil about 3 or 4 times a week anyway lol.
Mine is only a little bit damp along the top, if it was leaking badly it would have run over the edge as well.
Those alloy rads do look nice tho and much cheaper than other iv seen, would be interested to know if anyone else has used them as well!

 

one other thing the aircon pipe seal leaks next to the rad on the right as if you looking at the engine bay from the front , just have a little check there to ....

 

Mines doing exactly the same thing at the moment

 

off topic - But woop another colchester member on here

 

 

I have just bought one of the above radiators (but went for the 42mm one) so hope they are ok.

What happens about the overflow bottle.... can't see a take-off for it in the pictures.

 

My girlfriend's 2005 STi had the same problem. Water level dropping and dried coolant on the battery box and surrounding area. Was like that for a few months before we got it replaced. Just kept topping up the coolant.

Its worth checking your top hose at the same time. It had swollen and had to be replaced. The mechanic told me he had seen a few like that. If allowed to continue swelling the fan blades would start to hit the hose and eventually wear through it.

 

You will have to let me know how that goes, I will get one if they are good quality.

 

exact same problem here.

 

How did the Rad turn out? I have since seen the 42mm version, mine is still going at the min and survived a 350mile round trip to North Yorkshire over xmas! Its not actually loosing any coolant by the looks.

 

Exactly same issue on my rad too How did you get on with yours Gary?
Its either get a second hand one for approx £60 & risk it happening again or spend double & get a new all alloy one with no rubbish plastic top & bottom ends.

I'm looking at this one below, its to go on my 2005 JDM Blob, any advice on below product or similar, appreciated.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SUBARU-IMPREZA...#ht_2418wt_905
or
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SUBARU-IMPREZA...#ht_3079wt_994

 

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