Our 2001 Subaru outback is leaking antifreeze in small amounts creating a steam iron like smell that has very very gradually increased over the last year and now requires us to replace about a pint of antifreeze every 10 days or so. Our very much trusted mechanic tells us he can't tell where the leak is coming from and he thinks "it maybe time to trade". He thinks the leak maybe coming from behind the engine requiring a snowballing expensive repair. We wanted to keep this as our second vehicle for sometime to come. Any thoughts on this? Would a second opinion from a dealer be beneficial? :confused:

Possibly an external head gasket leak. Ask Subaru or the dealer about campaign WWP99.

If the car has less then 100,000 miles get the stop leak from subaru. i would not mention the leak. If you still have the leak then mention it. This is part oc a campaign that extends your coverage to 100,000 miles.

 

nipper

Waterpump?

 

try racing the engine while looking under the car - any drips?

This sounds a lot like the dreaded head gasket issue. By all means watch your temperature guage closely.