WRX Coolant Leak - No Obvious source

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suburboturbo - 20 Jun 2008 14:10 GMT

While driving to work today (2004 WRX) had steam coming from under
hood with odor of hot coolant. Stopped to investigate but found no
evidence of fluid anywhere in engine compartment. All hoses tight,
temp gauge never rose, so couldn't have lost much. Any suggestions on
hidden connections (intercooler???) that I've got to find? Will check
fluid level when engine cools and fill for ride home, but can't afford
to have car sidelined over busy week coming up so must repair over
weekend.

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Clive - 20 Jun 2008 15:15 GMT

Check for a puncture in the rad.
It's happened to me.
You really need a pressure test to find
the leak. The good news is if that's the problem
you can get the rad fixed easily by a mobile repair
service.

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> While driving to work today (2004 WRX) had steam coming from under
> hood with odor of hot coolant. Stopped to investigate but found no
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> to have car sidelined over busy week coming up so must repair over
> weekend.

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suburboturbo - 20 Jun 2008 18:01 GMT

> Check for a puncture in the rad.
> It's happened to me.
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> - Show quoted text -

Good suggestion, but just checked and it doesn't seem to be the
issue. Radiator dry on the outside, full on the inside. Only
moisture on the ground is beneath the drip tube from the overflow
bottle, which was low, but couldn't say how much was in it yesterday.
Should mention that the short block was replaced (under warranty) in
April when it threw a connecting rod. Worst fear now is that there's
a head gasket leak. May have to go back to the dealer. Not as bad as
it sounds. They've taken good care of me, even loaned me a Jaguar S-
type when they had the WRX in the shop for 3 weeks. Should make it
home today - didn't steam until 12 miles into my 15 mile commute.
Will keep the revs down and the road speed up to moderate the temp.

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Bob Noble - 21 Jun 2008 05:21 GMT

Check on top of the engine. There are hoses that go to the heater here. They
may be metal tubes. Look for water on top of the engine and a pin hole in
the hoses or tubes. When it leaks here, the symptoms you describe fit.
You may need to warm the engine up to find it.

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Bob Noble
http://www.sonic.net/bnoble

>>Good suggestion, but just checked and it doesn't seem to be the
>>issue. Radiator dry on the outside, full on the inside. Only

moisture on the ground is beneath the drip tube from the overflow
bottle, which was low, but couldn't say how much was in it yesterday.
Should mention that the short block was replaced (under warranty) in
April when it threw a connecting rod. Worst fear now is that there's
a head gasket leak. May have to go back to the dealer. Not as bad as
it sounds. They've taken good care of me, even loaned me a Jaguar S-
type when they had the WRX in the shop for 3 weeks. Should make it
home today - didn't steam until 12 miles into my 15 mile commute.
Will keep the revs down and the road speed up to moderate the temp.

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suburboturbo - 21 Jun 2008 17:35 GMT

> Check on top of the engine. There are hoses that go to the heater here. They
> may be metal tubes. Look for water on top of the engine and a pin hole in
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> home today - didn't steam until 12 miles into my 15 mile commute.
> Will keep the revs down and the road speed up to moderate the temp.

Nope. Went over it thoroughly after driving home yesterday. By
keeping the revs down in 5th and somehow making every green light on
my trip, caught a whiff of burning coolant but no steam until after I
parked it. Leak is coming from front of engine, down below. Could be
water pump housing gasket; pump and timing belt were replaced with
short block. Going into the dealer monday morning. Just hoping it's
that simple so I won't have to drive a borrowed 1992 buick for too
long. Thanks for everyone's input.

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suburboturbo - 23 Jun 2008 14:17 GMT

> > Check on top of the engine. There are hoses that go to the heater here. They
> > may be metal tubes. Look for water on top of the engine and a pin hole in
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
>
> - Show quoted text -

Now I feel pretty lame. Just a pinhole leak in the lower rad hose.
Could have fixed that myself. While it's in the shop having the
dealer drain and refill the differentials. Know it's not critical,
but want to keep everything kosher since I've got a 6/60 B2B Subaru
warranty and want all the service records intact since I may sell the
car and transfer the last 2y/20k to someone esle.

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