esxboy1

Hi guys scratching my head a bit, water flowing out the overflow tank at an alarming rate, heaters are hot, does not overheat until water has depleted enough, fans kick in ok. When car gets up to temperature and watch overflow tank it's bubbling like a goodun like air/water is leaking past rad cap on tickover!
The rad pipes don't seem to be over pressurised ie not rock hard, am thinking/hoping dodgy rad cap , just wondered if there has been other experiences with this,
Cheers in advance

esxboy1

93 jdm wrx bye the way

peter zippy reid

iTrader: (25)

Bubbling in the overflow does that mean hg on the way out

esxboy1

Trying to think possative lol,

Myles

iTrader: (40)

Get it sniff tested to be sure.

esxboy1

I've heard sniff test doesn't allways show up, is a engine compression test not a better way to find shot hg !?!

abgsaf

its the headgasket.....sorry

esxboy1

I don't think u can just assume hg, if water is by passing rad cap but rad pipes still feel relatively soft then to me that's say weak spring, why do people allways assume the worst lol

morandpeter

iTrader: (5)

at least try a cap first. i have a spare 0.9 bar calsonic cap. want it? free just pay for post and packaging

esxboy1

Cheers for offer bud , but I just ordered a 1.3 bar cap, I'll give that a go if not I got a cheap wrx for sale

Martin typeR

I had the same as you described and did turn out to be head gasket

I took it to my local garage for a sniffer test and they said it come back ok but when stripped down by a specialist the failure was clear to see.

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

Always worth trying a cap first but what you describe is usually HG failure. An expensive job to do properly. Often the sniff test does not work on a Scooby,I wouldn't bother.
Good luck with the cap.

esxboy1

How much did it cost you for the whole job?

esxboy1

What about compression test would that show hg

Martin typeR

I got the whole engine rebuilt in the end but was quoted around 1k for just head gasket if i remember rightly as it was a few years ago now.

eclipse performance

iTrader: (5)

Head gasket should cost around £700. Try the cap first though as the failed head gasket usually causes the pipes to go hard due to the engine gasses pressurising the coolant system. Fingers crossed!!

Martin typeR

That was the local subaru stealers that quoted me that hence why i went to a scoob specialist.

esxboy1

Update, drove 20 miles to work fine popped bonnet , overflow bubblein but also noticed the top of the header tank was wet aspecially in the front two corners and under the metal trim around the tank, if there is a leak there would this be a suspect ?

Darc174

iTrader: (13)

im not sure mate

but if you need a new header tank i got a MY00 Header tank and im in essex worth a try

Pm me if your interested

darcy

tom-r33

iTrader: (2)

same symptoms as mine had. did sniff test and instantly showed combustion gasses in with the water. fingers crossed for you tho chap, was a sad day for me when it was confirmed

removing the engine isn't too hard tbh, lifts straight up and out and nothing was too hard to get at or off apart from exhaust nuts and bolts

Turbotits

iTrader: (2)

Check one of the pipes on top the header tank hasnt cracked where they join the tank lid. Ive had this happen twice

esxboy1

Just an update new cap , thermostat , temp switch ,full coolant flush n everything spot on,should never assume hg all you scaremungerers lol, cheers for advise tho once again you can always rely on scoobynetters