Can anyone tell me how much is a reasonable amount of coolant to lose?

 

We bought the WRX in LA, and since have moved to upstate NY, and hit the car with a winter here (possibly about as extreme a weather difference america has to offer) , which explained to me why we might have lost the whole load of coolant (through seals contracting or whatever).

 

I filled up again right to the max line, and not another 2 months have passed and I'm back down to the minimum line on the container again.

 

Is this usual?

 

Excuse me if I post a few times straight off.

I've a few questions...Things that have been nagging me

 

Rob.

I lost coolant in my 03 Forester during extremely cold days this winter. I took it to the dealer and they found faulty coolant hose clamps. The contraction that takes place during very cold temperatures was enough to have the coolant leak.

Well my reply was irrelevant, and it seems there is no way to delete a post?

Couldn't ever find any fluids on the garage floor to verify an actual leak...

 

It's going in next week to have the cruise control swapped out (recall), so I'll ask them about it.

 

Many thank

 

Rob.

When you stated you lost the whole load of coolant and mean that the coolant was almost totally gone then you have a real problem. If you mean the coolant stays at the minimum line in the resevoir then I would not be too concerned.

 

You may have a faulty radiator cap or a loose hose clamp that is leaking under pressure while the car is running. These kind of leaks are hard to spot. I think shop can use a die in the coolant that shows up under UV light to help spot these kind of leaks. I would definately have this followed up on.

When you stated you lost the whole load of coolant and mean that the coolant was almost totally gone then you have a real problem. If you mean the coolant stays at the minimum line in the resevoir then I would not be too concerned.

 

You may have a faulty radiator cap or a loose hose clamp that is leaking under pressure while the car is running. These kind of leaks are hard to spot. I think shop can use a die in the coolant that shows up under UV light to help spot these kind of leaks. I would definately have this followed up on.

you can get a garage to test the pressure that a rad can hold, as well as the cap. subsequently, it also finds leaks in the rad. if they do that and nothing's wrong, i'd imagine it wouldn't cost anything.