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Conflicting Mechanic advice on coolant leak


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Hey everybody! Thought I'd come to people of experience on this. It's not so much mechanical as it is advice on how to deal with used car dealers/mechanics. 

I bought a 2009 Impreza and I've been loving it. However, I decided (after 2 weeks) to check on the fluid levels. The coolant was low in the res and after much research and debate, I decided to fill it with green (not blue) because that's what it had in it already. The color thing really bothered me but that's not the issue.

My local Subaru dealership forwarded me to their Chevy branch. Those guys told me a coolant flush wasn't in order, but the head gasket was leaking. I called the dealer I bought it from, and he urged me to bring it in right away so his mechanic could look at it.

That mechanic looked at it (after the leak was wiped away) and guessed it was most likely the water pump. Well I set out cardboard and in the morning it looked like the leak was to the back right, not the front.

I sent the pictures to the dealer's mechanic and no word yet. But it sounds like they will have to do the head gaskets after all. Should I bother with a third opinion? Or give them a little more time and more or less demand it be fixed or I return it? 

IMG_1091lo.jpg

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The overflow reservoir does not get filled. It should be about 1/3 to 1/2 depending on system pressure. 

Head gaskets on that model leak oil, not coolant. 

It's really not a matter of if, but when they start leaking. Had you done your research before buying you would know that. 

The dealership is THE WORST place you can have the gaskets done. You can expect them to leak again in 20-30k. They use the wrong gasket and insufficient cleaning / surface prep. 

You are likely stuck with it, unless you are able to return it, or pay a proper Subaru specialist to do it right with the turbo model gaskets. 

GD

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On the EJ25 engine the water pump is above where the thermostat housing is. The lower radiator hose is attached to the water pump.  The water pump is driven by the timing belt.  It's located on the front of the engine behind the timing belt cover.  The problem with leaks on the Subaru is that they often get blown back onto the engine and can collect and then drip off somewhere unrelated.  Getting a knowledgeable independent Subaru specialist is a good idea to evaluate it.   

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Edited by Mike104
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1 hour ago, Mike104 said:

 

 
2

Thank you!! That part about them getting blown back onto other parts of the engine is useful. It hasn't (yet) exhibited the symptoms of a head gasket leak so perhaps this mechanic is right.  My strategy is to let them replace the water pump for free and see if that works.  While at the same time, trying to drive it as little as possible.

Edited by bluevelvet77
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6 hours ago, brus brother said:

You might consider paying a little extra to have the timing belt replaced while they are doing the work. They will be removing and reinstalling your current belt so no issue other than the cost of the belt.

Not sure if the belt is compromised by the antifreeze  solution?

Glad you brought this up.  I'm wondering if they (the dealer who sold it) will pay for that too, but I doubt it.  Worth mentioning.  Thanks

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  • 2 weeks later...

Just a little update, for those who might find this thread later..

It was the head gasket that was leaking.  I also had them do the water pump/timing belt because I had no idea when it was last done.  So I paid for that myself.

Except now the car has a strange "clanking" sound near the dashboard that I'm a little concerned about. It's there on startup but quickly goes away.
I've also noticed minor performance issues that I still can't tell if they are in my head or not.  It feels like a stutter/loss of power here and there, maybe a slight delay when I accelerate.

 

Don't know if I should go back to the same garage, have the dealer pay for a specialist, or just return it.  Bummed.

Edited by bluevelvet77
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5 hours ago, bluevelvet77 said:

oh okay....

do you have any suggestions ?

Well, you already had the HGs done on their dime and if there is no leak, I don't think you can fault them (for now at least, time will tell).

As GD suggested, it is a prickly little job that should include having the heads resurfaced and a multi layered HG. Not a big deal for an experienced Subaru mechanic.

The problem with issues like this is suddenly your ears are already perked up and forecasting disaster.

If you didn't hear the sound before, I would certainly raise the issue with the dealer.

Let the car sit in his lot and then start it cold to reproduce the sound.

Pitch a bitch if you have to since so far all you would lose is the price of the water pump and timing belt if you can get out. It is an 11 year old car so you can't expect "like new" condition.

Was there any warranty on the sale?

 

 

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22 hours ago, bluevelvet77 said:

oh okay....

do you have any suggestions ?

Never get into a situation where you are returning a vehicle you have bought to a used car dealer for "repair". Even if they "fix" it, they will do the absolute cheapest job possible since every dime they spend on the repair is lost profit. The worst thing you can have is a botched head gasket replacement - that's worse than just letting them leak and dealing with the smell, etc. We have seen them blow out and overheat, we have seen them strip the heads on the block, use the wrong parts, put the head bolts in the wrong holes, etc, etc. It's a bad situation to be in. Sounds like they did a crap job with crap parts. 

GD

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On 9/27/2020 at 11:14 AM, bluevelvet77 said:

Just a little update, for those who might find this thread later..

It was the head gasket that was leaking.  I also had them do the water pump/timing belt because I had no idea when it was last done.  So I paid for that myself.

Except now the car has a strange "clanking" sound near the dashboard that I'm a little concerned about. It's there on startup but quickly goes away.
I've also noticed minor performance issues that I still can't tell if they are in my head or not.  It feels like a stutter/loss of power here and there, maybe a slight delay when I accelerate.

 

Don't know if I should go back to the same garage, have the dealer pay for a specialist, or just return it.  Bummed.

Clanking - if it’s piston slap, ignore it. Wont be fixing that and it’s benign. 

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Thanks everybody.

I had it taken in and the clanking turned out to be a rusted exhaust shield.  Apparently, it is coming apart and they are suggesting I replace it at some point (OEM part is 200+ dollars)
The sound has died down a bit over time and I guess I can deal with it (for now).

Found no leaks so I'm guessing it was just residual from the work they did on it?  I can confirm because the last time I laid cardboard out... nothing.

Only thing that's been nagging at me...
When I'm on the highway for awhile (20-30 minutes) and I slow down once I get into town.. almost feel like there is a misfire/loss of power/stutter when I let off the gas, and gently press it back in.  Hiccups twice.  Could that just be an awkward gear change?  I mean to try this with the sport shift and see if it's still there.  It isn't evident anywhere or any other time in the drive.

It's only got me paranoid because I had a similar problem with my VW at the end of it's life.  

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