Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Ultimate Subaru Message Board

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Ahh.. that coolant smell

Featured Replies

So I've been noticing that I have a coolant smell coming from my two vents in the center mostly happens when you first turn the heat on but the smell goes away in a few min then happens again the next time the car sits and all.

 

Most likely the heater core but not sure how big the leak is? can't be that big since I don't have any dripping.

Yeah I have the same thing happening to my dodge ram, Thats why I trying to get my subi back on the road , cuz a heater core job is nasty.

  • Author

haha I don't know what's harder.. me when I pulled my engine for the head gaskets or doing the heater core.

 

At least from what I saw picture-wise it did not seem all that bad.. I just don't know how much the part costs.

haha I don't know what's harder.. me when I pulled my engine for the head gaskets or doing the heater core.

 

At least from what I saw picture-wise it did not seem all that bad.. I just don't know how much the part costs.

 

I had an olds that wasn't given proper maintenance. Anyhow the cooling was "Flushed," and this helped the radiator but opened up a small hole in the heater core. It seems like the shop used some kind of liquid stop leak and this lasted the four years I used the car.

Edited by john40iowa

It sounds like a pretty small leak so far. I will not use stop leak on a car normally for fear of blocking up the heater core, but when the heater core is the problem, I figure there's nothing to lose. I have had two heater core leaks seal up using B&G brand sealer which is just fine sawdust of all things. No bad side effects with it either. That is what I would try

  • 4 weeks later...
  • Author

I think i figured out the smell looks like the tstat housing is leaking... Which will explain why I'm missing coolant.. Not a huge leak which is why it took so long to find

I think every EJ I've ever seen leaks coolant at the T stat housing. I'm about to gob Indian Head shelac all over both of mine to get them to stop.

  • Author

well at least I feel more revealed i guess it only leaks when pressure builds after the system sits for a bit.

  • Author

Well I placed the order with Subaru parts for you.. while I would hope they would say the parts are ready today.. it might not be until next week...

 

but really what dealer does not keep a T-stat housing and plug wires in stock??

 

I'd hate to make the 46 mile drive up and the stuff not ready and I need to go back up during the week.

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

Sign In Now

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.