Coolant conditioner

[CanonLaw]

I want to hear from people on this message board about whether or not
they think the coolant conditioner works. I have read alot lately
about head gasket problems and I ABSOLUTELY cannot afford to have that
repaired if it goes bad. Even if it does, I am seriously thinking
about just cutting my losses (about $5000 w/depriciation and repairs
in only 11 months of ownershit) and getting a Toyota Matrix.

 

[Jim Stewart]

I want to hear from people on this message board about whether or not
they think the coolant conditioner works. I have read alot lately
about head gasket problems and I ABSOLUTELY cannot afford to have that
repaired if it goes bad. Even if it does, I am seriously thinking
about just cutting my losses (about $5000 w/depriciation and repairs
in only 11 months of ownershit) and getting a Toyota Matrix.

Are you a lawyer?

 

[Rick Courtright]

I want to hear from people on this message board about whether or not
they think the coolant conditioner works...

just cutting my losses (about $5000 w/depriciation and repairs
in only 11 months of ownershit) and getting a Toyota Matrix.

Hi,

What others "think" about the conditioner has nothing to do with whether
it's good, bad or indifferent. Go spend the $5 or so and try it: then
form your own opinion, as you apparently have about the car in general.

If you don't like it, get the Matrix. We'll still be here should you
start having second thoughts about how good the Subie was. I own Toyotas
(in addition to my Subie), and generally recommend them, but the talk
I've heard around the shop at my local Toyota store suggests a Matrix
won't be on my next shopping list.

Good luck either way!

Rick

 

[CanonLaw]

Hi,

What others "think" about the conditioner has nothing to do with whether
it's good, bad or indifferent. Go spend the $5 or so and try it: then
form your own opinion, as you apparently have about the car in general.

If you don't like it, get the Matrix. We'll still be here should you
start having second thoughts about how good the Subie was. I own Toyotas
(in addition to my Subie), and generally recommend them, but the talk
I've heard around the shop at my local Toyota store suggests a Matrix
won't be on my next shopping list.

Good luck either way!

Rick

Why won't the Matrix be on your shopping list?

 

[Porgy Tirebiter]

Why won't the Matrix be on your shopping list?

This "Conditioner'' crap is a band-aid approach to a KNOWN problem. It's not
a question of IF it will fail..it's WHEN.
This conditioner is nothing more than a silicon based "stop leak". When the
engine begins to develop minute leaks it jams them.
The entire line of late model Toyotas are a LOT more reliable than the late
model Subaru's.
Your 2.5L engine is a ticking time bomb..and Subaru of America is NOT your
friend.

 

[bigjim]

I agree . A "stop leak" type product is not an acceptable solution
for a known design/engineering problem. Step up Subaru and issue a
recall and install a proper head gasket. The handling of this
situation as well as the poor design/ergonomics of the new models
makes my '04 the last Subaru I will likely buy.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Why won't the Matrix be on your shopping list?

Hi,

It doesn't seem to meet the reliability of most other Toyotas... either
the real (listening to the mechanics talk) or the perceived (listening
to the owners talk.)

Rick

 

[houndman]

I want to hear from people on this message board about whether or not
they think the coolant conditioner works. I have read alot lately
about head gasket problems and I ABSOLUTELY cannot afford to have that
repaired if it goes bad. Even if it does, I am seriously thinking
about just cutting my losses (about $5000 w/depriciation and repairs
in only 11 months of ownershit) and getting a Toyota Matrix.

I've been searching for info on what is inside the WRX and 2.5i
motors to try to decide which one is the best one if I wanted to
modify them later, or if it made any difference? The top of the block
on the 2.5i is supposed to be open, with little metal connecting the
sleeves the pistons ride in to the outside of the block, and there is
a limit to how much turbo boost can be applied, because the sleeves
could vibrate and make the head gasket leak internally. On the newer
cars, the leak is said to be external. That wouldn't be as bad and
stop leak an OK fix.

I'm wondering if anyone knows where the leaks have been, and if the
cars that leaked internally were not modified but driven real hard a
lot. Maybe even without adding a turbo to the motor with the Open deck
(top) block, leaks are going inside.


VF

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I've been searching for info on what is inside the WRX and 2.5i
motors to try to decide which one is the best one if I wanted to
modify them later, or if it made any difference? The top of the block
on the 2.5i is supposed to be open, with little metal connecting the
sleeves the pistons ride in to the outside of the block, and there is
a limit to how much turbo boost can be applied, because the sleeves
could vibrate and make the head gasket leak internally. On the newer
cars, the leak is said to be external. That wouldn't be as bad and
stop leak an OK fix.

I'm wondering if anyone knows where the leaks have been, and if the
cars that leaked internally were not modified but driven real hard a
lot. Maybe even without adding a turbo to the motor with the Open deck
(top) block, leaks are going inside.


VF

I've seen some pics of the leaks at www.ultimatesubaru.org - maybe
search around /ask there. They seem to be at the bottom of the jugs.

Carl

 

[lkreh]

You should press your dealer (and get a second dealer opinion) about
the coolant conditioner based on your car's circumstances. I'm no
expert, but when I compare what I've read here with my dealer's
advice, there's differing information as to what the coolant
conditioner can fix. My dealer advises that the coolant conditioner
is aimed at external headgasket leaks on certain 2.5L engines, whereas
I've seen it recommended for internal and external hg leaks on all
2.5L engines on this Board. Basically, the conditioner is not a cure-
all.

 

[houndman]

I've seen some pics of the leaks atwww.ultimatesubaru.org- maybe
search around /ask there. They seem to be at the bottom of the jugs.

Carl

I couldn't find any pics on that site. "Bottom of the Jugs" sounds
like a VW air cooled motor.) Guess you mean the bottom side of the
heads.

Read a few leaks happened after long trips. 200mi has been
mentioned.

Sounds like there are many versions of the Sube motors. Open decks,
semi open, and closed decks. Then cast iron sleves and not.

All the questions are keeping me from buying. I'm looking to the
future when I might want to modify, or even have a motor that I don't
have to worry about, that is as good as can be expected. With the
thoughts of maybe modifing later, finding out which motor would be the
one to change to, that isn't even easy. Then what will be needed to
make it run is complicated. Give me the good old days.))

VF

 

[Bugalugs]

I couldn't find any pics on that site. "Bottom of the Jugs" sounds
like a VW air cooled motor.) Guess you mean the bottom side of the
heads.

Read a few leaks happened after long trips. 200mi has been
mentioned.

Sounds like there are many versions of the Sube motors. Open decks,
semi open, and closed decks. Then cast iron sleves and not.

All the questions are keeping me from buying. I'm looking to the
future when I might want to modify, or even have a motor that I don't
have to worry about, that is as good as can be expected. With the
thoughts of maybe modifing later, finding out which motor would be the
one to change to, that isn't even easy. Then what will be needed to
make it run is complicated. Give me the good old days.))

VF

Just go out and buy the f...ing car.

All you've been doing for the last month or so is ask all sorts of
stupid questions about minor details and using them as excuses as to why
you don't want to buy.

 

[Bob's Backfire Burrito]

Like a VW engine.....dude..it's FIRST COUSIN to a VW engine.....