farfromiowa Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 89 Subaru DL wagon 1.8L automatic. Sometimes, randomly i smell coolant after driving the soobie. Is there a mysterious place it can come from that is hard to see? I have had to top off the tank but it never takes much. It never overheats, no visible leaks on the driveway, no smell on the interior. When changing the transmission and differential fluid yesterday, I noted one drop of coolant on the bottom of the crossmember aft of the oil pan. I just cant seem to see where it is coming from. I looked everywhere using a mag light and a mirror with no luck. Thanks love this site.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Abides Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 I know where its coming from, its typical. There is a small hose behind the water pump that can leak. Everything you are describing, from where the cooland is is what happenes to mine. I believe you need to remove the ps tank in order to get to it. Others will chime in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 There is also a skinny hose that goes between the bottom of the thermostat and the top of the engine block. This one is easy to miss, and usually the first to fail. When it leaks, it puddles under the intake, and runs off the back of the engine. Check and fill the coolant at the radiator cap. don't just go by the overfill jug alone, and don't assume any coolant pushed out will suck back in. IF the coolant bottle is fuller, this means that coolant could be pushing out from other problems. Also make sure that the weep hole is not leaking on the water pump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farfromiowa Posted November 13, 2011 Author Share Posted November 13, 2011 Thanks, I looked in the Haynes book and see the items you are talking about. I will take a look tomorrow..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farfromiowa Posted November 15, 2011 Author Share Posted November 15, 2011 I looked everywhere, both of the hoses that were suggested were dry and in good shape. No weeping from the water pump. Put it on Ramps and pressure washed the entire engine compartment top and bottom to ensure no residual fluid remains. Drove it 30+ miles after that with no evidence of leakage. Time will tell. Thanks for the soobie support...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notliving Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 I had the exact problem with my '88 GL. The car basically ran okay. No overheating but I would smell coolant after driving it and the radiator level would always drop. It turned out to be a blown driver side head gasket. I crawled under the car and saw coolant on the underside of the head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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