Flat4x4-again

iTrader: (1)

Bought an old GR hatch as a winter car for local runs.

Driving ok but there is definitely coolant loss and when its hot I can see the occasional drop of water fizz on the hot exhaust at the front between the o2 and air fuel sensors.

I am assuming head gasket is getting suspect - unless something else could leak and drip down there. The oil all looks ok (no mixing, yet) so is it worth trying some Steel Seal or K Seal ? I've read they sometimes work when its just a coolant channel part of the gasket that's weak ?

Any experience or suggestions as I dont have the money to justify big repairs to it.

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Vxr2010

subaru coolant additive was “bars “ stop leak , you can add a bit , is it definitely coolant you sound uncertain , if it is coolant is a hose or cap rad leaking , probably do a bit more investigation first , is it loosing coolant from the reservoir ?

Flat4x4-again

iTrader: (1)

Coolant in reservoir is definitely going down and its definitely not oil that is bubbling on the exhaust near the o2

Vxr2010

sounds like a head gasket i’m afraid , try putting some in and see if it solves it , the only downside to adding it will it block other water channels , if it’s not done then it will continue to leak , option 2 is keep monitoring it and keep topping up the coolant , i expect gasket is just going with age

Flat4x4-again

iTrader: (1)

Yes that's what I suspect as well. Have booked it into Subaru just to confirm where its leaking.

I will probably trade it in in the Spring, but it would be good to get 1000 winter (maybe some snow?) miles out of it first !

I have read that Steel seal might work but who knows ?

John 37

I had similar on my MY2000 classic. There was a pinhole leak in the top hose spraying a fine jet that was very difficult to spot. It's quite common according to my local agent.

Flat4x4-again

iTrader: (1)

I hope so. My classic is safely in the garage.

Ben_r1

Several people on the YouTube have seen surprising success with these head gasket sealers of late, I was always skeptical to say the least but some manufacturers even claim the repair will be stronger than the original gasket.

Check out Sam Crac on YouTube with Range Rover repair for example.

Vxr2010

Any luck using it ?

Flat4x4-again

iTrader: (1)

Took it to dealer who immediately suspected head gasket failure as well. BUT, took off under-tray while I waited and found a pin hole split on the side of a hose which when hot was dripping across the hose along the bottom edge of engine and out in front of the O2 sensor, bubbling off on exhaust !

Hose was tight and you couldn't see the leak until it was on a ramp and all exposed. Result ! New Subaru hose and coolant next week.

I would try that Steel Seal though if it came to it as there are more positive reviews than bad ones and the logic of how it works makes more sense that the other types.

Vxr2010

well that’s a cheap result , i did question hose lol , a fairly easy fix then

Flat4x4-again

iTrader: (1)

Yes thanks. Before the Subaru dealer put the car on the ramp, removed the undertray and shone a torch up from underneath they were saying it sounded like head gasket from where it was bubbling. Water does find its way into strange places!

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

Glad it was a simple fix.

Flat4x4-again

iTrader: (1)

Er ... Subaru replaced the hose and drained / replaced the coolant. Now:-

1) Coolant reservoir has dropped below minimum
2) Morning cold start stumbles and stutters then finds its cold idle revs (all sensors already done)
3) Think there is more visible water at exhaust tail pipe

So I'm thinking about adding Steel Seal but I'm worried about it reacting with Subaru dealer's standard green coolant and going like jelly etc.

If it should be ok though, I've nothing to lose have I ?

Vxr2010

if you think hg has gone then i agree nothing to loose , as it either cures the problem or makes no difference , known to block water channels that was bars stop leak but if engine has had hg go or going then give it a try

Smithys STI

iTrader: (1)

I've used steel seal a quite few times when customers dont want to fork out on a head gasket repairs.
The first few times it was used with positive results but in the last few years I've used it a few times and it has blocked the radiator and heater matrix on a forester (not mine)and an outback so we dont use it anymore, if it was my car I wouldn't risk it.

Flat4x4-again

iTrader: (1)

That's exactly what I don't want. Is there any way of knowing which type of coolants react and which don't !?
(I think the colour is irrelevant as thats just the dye)

Vxr2010

The best thing is sort the actual issue , if it’s a 2 litre you can probably just do the hg depending on mileage , if it’s a 2.5 turbo best route is a full rebuild as the bottom end is very likely to fail soon after doing the hg , Bars was basically what subaru said to add when coolant was changed but i think it’s effect was minimal

Flat4x4-again

iTrader: (1)

That's the reason for the thread really - its just a 1.5 so its not worth spending upwards of £500...1000 labour on it to replace the head gasket when I don't have the know-how to do it. I'd rather spend the money on my late classic in the spring. The car drives surprisingly well (with rubbish power obviously) but its sharp and chuckable which makes you more Zen-like when driving it to smoothly maintain the momentum !

gpssti4

iTrader: (6)

I used Kseal on my VW Passat for 40,000 miles with good results.

Flat4x4-again

iTrader: (1)

Interestingly I got a reply back from Steel Seal's distributor and they have recommended just doing with water alone to avoid any risk while it cures, then adding the coolant back afterwards. Presumably as they can't be sure either. Will get a local garage to do it for me !