Hello All,

 

I have Subaru Outback 1997 2.5L engine with automatic transmission.

when i start the engine in cold weather (< -5c) I see small amount of coolant leaking from the front side of the engine, it's only small amount and it stops when engine get hot and never leak again while driving.

 

i dont knwo why is that...... , is it normal

 

any clue......please advice....

Thanks

not normal.

might be a waterpump. they have that symptom when failing sometimes.

 

might want to check out the NEW gen fourm;)

my 86 fwd sedan does that ,only when it is 0 or below , and just a few times, and i had a a new oem water pump put on 2,000mi ago , it could be the water pump gasket or 0 ring ,

I have found a couple posts about this issue and have now run into it myself. The first time it got really cold here (< 15 F) a slight drip developed from the end of the top radiator hose where it connects to the engine block. It smelled in the car so I wanted it fixed. My mechanic had done the HGs (yep, I got bit) and agreed to look at this. I am not thinking they were related, but he did it anyway.

 

He replaced the clamps and refitted, but then a small leak developed on the other end where the hose connects to the radiator. He then replaced with a better GoodYear hose and double-clamped each end. No leaks at 25 F, but now at 2 F in the morning it drips and can occasionally be bad enough to leave a few drops on the driveway. This seems crazy! Is there a solution or does one just live with it?

what is your anti freeze mix??

You need some of this. http://www.midwayautosupply.com/p-14211-permatex-indian-head-gasket-shellac-compound-2-oz-bottle-20539.aspx

 

Stuff works wonders for small leaks, and keeps the hoses from drying out and cracking at the ends.

" This seems crazy":)

 

I have an old shingle roof I haven't fixed yet. I've patched, and patched...but, cold weather it seeps a bit.

 

Warm it doesn't, it seals right up, even with a monsoon.

 

Thermal contraction and expansion huh?

what is your anti freeze mix??

 

I always add at 50:50, but I cannot say what mix the initial fill on last flush was done at. However, an over-the-counter temp tester for coolant says it is OK.

<<This seems crazy! Is there a solution or does one just live with it?>>

 

maybe use a OEM hose?

<<This seems crazy! Is there a solution or does one just live with it?>>

 

maybe use a OEM hose?

 

agreed I have never had a issue with stock hoses sealing 20 years old or brand new. NO ISSUES!

 

Also could be the thermostat gasket.

Thanks folks. We are going to replace with a Subaru hose tomorrow and also replace the thermostat housing. Will report back. So far it's Subaru coolant leak 4, Us 0.

So duh, the thermostat is on the bottom so just doing the upper hose and new clamps, and maybe a sealant. Someone mentioned the thermostat gasket, but I don't see how that would help a leak on the top hose.

Sorry thought it was the bottom.

Just reporting back...

 

New stock Subaru top radiator hose and double clamps on both ends. Three days so far and no leak whatsoever. BUT, temperatures have been near freezing or above the whole time, so no check in super-cold weather yet. Will report back when temperatures return to normal teens and twenties. Hoping we have it nipped, but I can't for the life of me figure out why the hose itself would be the culprit here. Called the local dealership and the fella said "no way it's the hose, shouldn't matter". Then of course he explained why it would cost hundreds of dollars to diagnose...

15 degrees F this morning and no sign of a leak on startup. Will assume that the Subaru hose fixed the problem! Will only report back if I find out otherwise in the future.