Hi folks,
V2 96 WRX wagon major sarcasm chip no other mods.
I've got a slow coolant leak which only seems to happen under load, can't cause it standing still. The coolant is pooling on top of the block underneath the drivers side of the centre of the manifold.
Can I rule out the hoses to the turbo based on the location of the pooling?
I'm assuming a leak in one of the transverse hoses - any thoughts?

 

No oil in the header tank so hopefully not the Head Gasket ...

 

Maybe the crossover pipe.

 

Could be one of many locations.............

 

Mine was similar and was a head issue

 

Under load (turbo operating) does suggest head gasket but on top of the block? who knows.

 

When mine did this, it was a TINY split in the top hose. Removal and inspection showed the INside of the top hose looking like someone had slashed it repeatedly with a razor blade

Nothing came out when idling, but pressurising the system caused it to come out in a fine jet and pooled just where yours is.
If you need to replace ANY hose, PLEASE do a search for how to refill without airlocking, for the sake of your engine.

 

****! Nothing simple ... So I embark on the learning curve or cop for a garage bill of unknown proportions, time versus money, again!

 

Top hose removal and fitting new one: ten minutes, tops.
Drain and refill coolant: half an hour tops.

Not rocket science.

 

Guess I'll start with that then - I'm thinking the 'top hose' is literally that on the header to turbo? They tend to be labelled up as 'engine coolant hose A' in the shop manuals...

 

It's big, (around 40mm dia), probably black, and runs from the top left of the radiator (as you stand looking at the front of the car), to the top left of the block.
IF it's gone, it's worth having a couple of new clamps too.

 

Well it turned out to be a split in a hose hidden under the inter cooler - sorted with luck!

 

How did you find it?

 

I had exactly the same thing happen to my previous '93 WRX.

 

TBH took it to a garage

They pressurised the coolant system using a pump attached to the header tank filler and could hear it leaking onto the floor - he couldn't see the leak on the visible hoses so ended up removing the intercooler and found it there.

Then replaced it using some stock hose I think.