Antifreeze Leak anyone?

[Joaquin Rosario]

I recently noticed an antifreeze leak on my 2000 Legacy GT, and I will
be taking it to my trusty mechanic for inspection.

Hence I'm curious to hear if anyone with a Legacy sedan (2000) experienced
an antifreeze leak? I could be a leak in a hose or the radiator itself,
however it's hard to inspect without lifting the car and doing a leak
search. Could people comment on their experiences with leaks of this
nature.

 

[TG]

Probably a hose clamp needs to be repositioned, also check the small bypass
hose near the thermostat. You didn't mention your mileage or how bad the
leak was but it could be the water pump as well. TG

 

[Joaquin Rosario]

The car has about 45,000 miles.

It's mostly highway miles. My wife puts about 80 miles a day on it (I95
traffic VA coridor).

I did a visual inspection on the car today and it looks like the leak is
not comming from the radiator. The drip is exiting by the protective plastic
plate that covers the oil filter and most of the front inner workings. I
would say that the leak forms a pudle the size of 6 inches in diameter.

 

[TG]

My car doesn't have this, is it a skid plate or the triangular plate on each
side? if it can be safely removed that might help with your diagnosis. TG

 

[Joaquin Rosario]

I just checked the miles on my car and out of waranty (52,000 miles).
Now that you mention it, the leak only occurs when the car is turned off.
While it's on, I have never noticed the leak. It's the momement you turn it
off.
Also, how much did those repairs set you back?

--Joaquin

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Perhaps there is an issue with the hose from the overflow bottle and/or
the radiator cap?


Carl
1 Lucky Texan

 

[donald rarer]

warranty is 5yrs or 60,000

 

[Edward Hayes]

Bumper to bumper warranty is 3y/36,000 on my 2000 Forester. eddie

 

[Joaquin Rosario]

Update:

I put the car on a ramp, removed the plastic under-cariage protector on
Saturday and inspected the radiator as well as the lines and they all looked
good. I went through every line that connected to with the radiator and I
could not find any moisture. I had the car running for 30 minutes (while on
the ramp) and nothing leaked. The area where there was an accumulation of
antifreeze was right under an internal fan area. I looked and looked and I
could see anything leaking. It was strange, my feeling is that it's
something within the confines of the engine.

Furthermore, I ran the car the entire weekend, and not a drop. I even
placed a big newspaper under the car to trace the leak, and there was
nothing.

However today in the moring it started leaking again. The only things the
comes to mind is that I parked it a driveway with an incline and that this
morning it was in the 60s. Also, maybe it was antifreeze that had
accumulated between Saturday and Sunday.

--Joaquin

 

[D H]

I just checked the miles on my car and out of waranty (52,000 miles).
Now that you mention it, the leak only occurs when the car is turned off.
While it's on, I have never noticed the leak. It's the momement you turn it
off.
Also, how much did those repairs set you back?

--Joaquin

Sorry couldn't answer sooner. I'm afraid these were free for me because
still under warranty. The first time was in the first 12000 miles, and then
later on we had several reoccurences of leaks where they tightened the hose
clamp. Eventually they replaced the hose at 38000 and they covered it under
"good will" due to previous problems I had with it. Hope you figure out
where it's coming from.

 

[donald rarer]

waterpump is part of engine.covered by 5/60

 

[Joaquin Rosario]

Update:

Just got the car back from the mechanic. The mechanic ran the pressure test
and said the car has a leak via the left front engine gasket. Just like the
post in 6-13-2003 by DYM. I still have 8000 miles before my limited
Powertrain waranty expires so I schedule an appointment with "Don Beyer
Subaru of Alexandria" for a waranty repair.

They are also going to do the recall service job that I got on the mail.
This repair job has to be covered becuase the waranty reads as follows:

Powertrain Limited Warranty
Powertrain coverage for all models is five years or 60,000 miles,
whichever comes first. It covers the major powertrain components listed
below:*

Engine block and all internal parts
Cylinder heads and valve trains
Oil pump, oil pan
Timing belts or gears and covers
Water pump
Flywheel
Intake manifold
Oil seals and gaskets
Torque converter
Electronic transmission control unit
Transaxle seals and gaskets

Axle shafts and constant velocity joints (except boots)**

Propeller shaft

Therefore either the "Engine block and all internal parts" or "Oil seals and
gaskets" clause should cover it. Right?

--Joaquin

I have had most of my Subaru coolant leaks show up in the morning to begin
with and then get worse. I don't think the incline had anything to do with
it.
Stop worrying until it gets worse or have a pressure test done. TG

Update:

I put the car on a ramp, removed the plastic under-cariage protector on
Saturday and inspected the radiator as well as the lines and they all looked
good. I went through every line that connected to with the radiator and I
could not find any moisture. I had the car running for 30 minutes

(while

on
the ramp) and nothing leaked. The area where there was an accumulation of
antifreeze was right under an internal fan area. I looked and looked

and

I
could see anything leaking. It was strange, my feeling is that it's
something within the confines of the engine.

Furthermore, I ran the car the entire weekend, and not a drop. I even
placed a big newspaper under the car to trace the leak, and there was
nothing.

However today in the moring it started leaking again. The only things the
comes to mind is that I parked it a driveway with an incline and that this
morning it was in the 60s. Also, maybe it was antifreeze that had
accumulated between Saturday and Sunday.

--Joaquin

plate

 

[Todd H.]

Update:

Just got the car back from the mechanic. The mechanic ran the pressure test
and said the car has a leak via the left front engine gasket. Just like the
post in 6-13-2003 by DYM. I still have 8000 miles before my limited
Powertrain waranty expires so I schedule an appointment with "Don Beyer
Subaru of Alexandria" for a waranty repair.

They are also going to do the recall service job that I got on the mail.
This repair job has to be covered becuase the waranty reads as follows:

Powertrain Limited Warranty
Powertrain coverage for all models is five years or 60,000 miles,
whichever comes first. It covers the major powertrain components listed
below:*

Engine block and all internal parts
Cylinder heads and valve trains
Oil pump, oil pan
Timing belts or gears and covers
Water pump
Flywheel
Intake manifold
Oil seals and gaskets
Torque converter
Electronic transmission control unit
Transaxle seals and gaskets

Axle shafts and constant velocity joints (except boots)**

Propeller shaft

Therefore either the "Engine block and all internal parts" or "Oil seals and
gaskets" clause should cover it. Right?

I would certainly hope so! I imagine it's not unreasonable to ask
the dealer that prior to coming in. After all, if it's not covered,
you've got some budget items to work in!