2010 Forester with 20,000 miles on it.

 

Was alerted by a burnt coolant smell. Checked the level in the morning (when the engine is cold) and sure enough: the coolant level is below "low" level. Since the car is still under warranty I took it to the dealer. According to them the system pressure test showed no leaks, but the radiator cap did not pass the test and they replaced it.

 

I do not really trust the dealer. Could they just added coolant conditioner to avoid future problems? I realize that they suppose to get authorization from Subaru for that, but there is everything possible in our world.

 

Can anybody have an answer for me?

 

Thanks,

Sam

based on the info - probably never know.

 

Did the work order/receipt show use of conditioner or just coolant? Any work/maintenance/wrecks just before the smell happened? Was the smell present only the one time or ongoing? Was there dripping under the car? where? Was there any wet areas in the engine compartment? Any unusual temperature readings or conditions when the smell occured?

weird. not very normal for radiator caps to fail, particularly at such an oddly low age/mileage.

 

if you smelled it there could be (would be if it wasn't tampered with) evidence of an external leak or an attempt to clean it up - i would go look for it. we are very well versed in Subaru's but we can't look at the engine.

 

i can't imagine them being too anal about this repair/clean up.

Regardless of what they did, you should have a detailed list of the services performed; whether it's warantee or not. Go back and insist on the paperwork for your records.

You bought the car new? Any other cooling work done previously?

They are supposed to add coolant conditioner. Last I heard it was required for any Subaru made after 2000. That could just be for certain engines, but it was specifically because of coolant leaks in the 2.5 engines that they started using the conditioner in the first place.

based on the info - probably never know.

 

Did the work order/receipt show use of conditioner or just coolant? Any work/maintenance/wrecks just before the smell happened? Was the smell present only the one time or ongoing? Was there dripping under the car? where? Was there any wet areas in the engine compartment? Any unusual temperature readings or conditions when the smell occured?

There is only coolant mentioned in the work order.

The answers to the rest of your questions are negative: no wrecks, no unusual sounds. The bottom of the engine is bone dry. I am the only owner of the vehicle so the history of it is clean. The only work I have done is oil change, new air and cabin filter.

After the tech worked on the car I can see a white residue around the neck where he spilled some coolant. It had not been there before: I would see it. I still can smell the coolant, but I hope it is from the spill and it will soon go away.

It was mentioned in Google groups discussions that Subaru now recommends adding conditioner to all vehicles in question. I would still prefer to know that it was done to my vehicle though.

I hope that I will have nothing else to report…

 

Sam

Dealerships are pretty good about getting money from you so, if they didn't list it, I doubt they installed it. Sure, could have been an oversight and it was left off the receipt. And, is there a dealership somewhere that does install it across all years? certainly possible. But, info about 'all soobs get it' or 'Subaru's new OEM coolant already has it mixed in' are all speculative in my opinion.

 

maybe someone else knows more about this.

Seems to me that the only one who can answer the question is the dealership. Why not call them and ask?!!

I agree with Gross that cap failure at that age is unusual. However, cap failure isn't that seldom...from 5 years onward, it's something to keep an eye on, or just replace before failure.

 

Anyway, if the cap seal leaked, that would be consistent with your symptoms. Not only the lost fluid, but also a smell that doesn't go away overnight.

 

The leaking seal means no pressure in the cooling system, and the coolant expands and overflows in the reservoir, which has a small weep hole, that faces the radiator: That's the source of the smell. It will fade.

 

I would say, take it easy, don't worry about it, enjoy the ride, and in a week or two, pop the hood again. If the coolant level is normal, all is well :-)