Dibble34

Hi all I have a impreza blob eye 2003 ppp

I am not 100% sure both happened at the same time, but something worrying happened on the way home tonight. I noticed the temperature gauge was halfway, but the heating was still cold. I then started to crawl in traffic and the gauge went up to 3 quarters. At this point I pulled over, the radiator fans were on and the engine started to cool, however the heaters were still cold as was the water in the plastic overflow tank. Once happy it would not overheat completely I drove on and a few minutes later the heaters became hot almost instantly. The gauge was fluctuating between half and 3 quarters still. I then noticed that the boost seems down, no smoke or weird noises, just doesn't seem anywhere near how it was a day or two ago. When I got home I checked the radiator which felt hot, but the plastic overflow tank water was still cold. Also the metal area on the left of the engine where you add water was gurgling a little.

I have only had a week and panicking a little so any advice gratefully received

Previous owner did mention it has had a radiator recently, I wondered if there may be air trapped in the system, but not sure how that would affect the boost issue

Cheers in advance

Dave

Emmaroids

iTrader: (2)

its either an airlock or head gasket issues.

if its had a new radiator id burp the system first.

when the car is cold, take off the header tank cap (next to intercooler) and start the car with heaters on hot and fan on full.

air bubbles will bubble up out the tank, leave it running for 15 mins so its up to full temp and top up the header tank if required after the bubbles have stopped.

dont rev it or water will overflow the tank.

Dibble34

Thanks I will try that tomorrow, please don't be the head gasket

Do you think an air lock would affect the turbo boost?

Emmaroids

iTrader: (2)

it may just be heat related issues causing the loss of boost.

i.e. heat soak through the top mount.

Dibble34

Ok cheers, off to try this now

Dibble34

Just took header cap off and it was pretty much empty in there, even though overflow plastic tank has water in!

Tony Harrington

iTrader: (8)

It happened to mine last week mate, overflow level was fine yet put about a litre in header, some bubbles & been ok thankfully because it is not pleasant driving in this weather with no heater!

Dibble34

Right left it to run with cap off for 15 mins and then put header cap on. Then went for a blast and temp gauge didn't move. Car also seemed to be boosting normally again. Checked under the bonnet when I got back and all seems ok, although I didn't take the header tank lid off for obvious reasons! It's going to subaru4you next Friday for a service so will ask them to check coolant system and boost to be on safe side. Now have everything crossed that the lack of water wasn't the start of a head gasket issue.

Thanks for the fast replies

Dibble34

Ok, went for a longer run today and then checked the water level,and it had gone down. There appears to be water below the radiator in the tray immediately above the top pipe, but the top pipe is 100% dry. Any other ideas where it's coming from?

Also I took the cap off that's on the radiator when the engine was still hot and water erupted out, I know I am stupid, but is that normal for there to be pressure in there?

Cheers

Dave

Turbotits

iTrader: (2)

Yes normal for boiling water to blow out a pressurized system when the caps removed. Sounds like the rad end cap has cracked

Dibble34

Phew! Is the end cap the plug at the bottom? Radiator was replaced recently the last owner said

Turbotits

iTrader: (2)

No its the plastic end on the radiator. If its had a rad check the hoses are tight.

Dibble34

Will do, plan to run it up tomorrow and watch what happens

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

If it's had a new rad, it may be airlocked.
Only true way to stop it is to drain and refill after checking how to on here

Dibble34

Cheers and yes I have done some reading and that seems the way forward. The bottom hose looks pretty old and I suspect it is leaking a little where it connects to the rad. Not very easy to check from above or underneath with the tray on, but looks wet down there and jubilee clip looks rusty. Its going to subaru4you next Friday for a service so I think I will leave it parked up till then, just hope the hose doesn't blow off on the way to them

Dibble34

Thought I should update this thread after going to subaru4you today. The radiator cap was the wrong one so couldn't cope with the system pressure and was releasing water. With the new correct cap on all seemed ok at the garage, but unfortunately once I got home it was clear there is still a leak. With the engine running it is now dripping out of the plastic neck that the radiator cap goes on

Still at least it is clear where the problem is now, just seems poor that a newish radiator has failed so soon. Being replaced by subaru4you next Tuesday. Fingers crossd there no underlying reason why it has blow a newish radiator!

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Hang on..your rad has a cap on it?

Dibble34

Yep, I have a cap on the radiator and header tank. You can see it here one the diagram
http://www.subaru4you.co.uk/cooling/...ptm03-07.shtml

Think it is only on 03 or later, I assume to try and help with bleeding the system?

Dibble34

Hi all, still loosing coolant after fitting the new rad cap there was a small leak from an overflow pipe. This was secured and all looked good, however after about 250 miles I have used around 200ml of water. I gave it a bit of stick on the way home today and it is now leaking around the bottoms hose. Temp gauge is perfect and car runs fine. The top hose is pretty hard, assume that is Normal as system is pressurised? What I am worried about is that the system is over pressurising and I will just chase leaks round the engine!

Could it be the dreaded hg?

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Possibly, get a sniff test done to confirm, or otherwise.

If it is, go from there.

If not, it could just be tired parts.

When you refill, how do you?

Dibble34

I fill header tank, but pretty sure no airlock as last topped up by subaru4you. Is it normal for top hose to be hard?