O
Oscar_Lives
So, what is in the magic Subaru Coolant Conditioner? is it really needed?
T
Todd H.
Oscar_Lives said:
Depends if you want your head gasket warranty to be honored.
Since they took the time and expense to issue a recall on the issue,
and print new manual pages including instructions to use it, my guess
is "yes."
Good news is that's it's not expensive stuff.
S
Steve Parker
There is a problem with coolant leaks in some Subys. Seems like a smallOscar_Lives said:
investment for peace of mind. Check with a dealer for the need in your
particular application.
Sparky
D
DK
Yes, it is needed if your car fits the recall. All signs are that it is Holts Radweld:
Subaru magic conditioner:
http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/at...a7695c6930b2b8&attachmentid=2230&d=1077312572
(notice "Holts" on the bottle).
Radweld:
http://images.hemalhemsat.com/_upload/200611/890471001142339048873872_0_0.jpg
E
Edward Hayes
Subaru state that the "coolant conditioner" must be used in all models
every time the coolant is changed. Cost is $2.50 for a 125ml bottle
but, my dealer gave one to me free of charge.
every time the coolant is changed. Cost is $2.50 for a 125ml bottle
but, my dealer gave one to me free of charge.
M
M.J.
That would likely mean they didn't fix the problem with the 2.5l engine.
My speculation is that the displacement is too big for the size of the
engine block, and the head gasket fails as there is too little mass in
crucial areas- tiny air bubbles in the cooling system are enough to
initialize overheating and damage the gasket.
I guess I won't be buying a Subaru for some time, unless I spring up
for the 3.0L six engine, which supposedly is prone to hesitation, not likely
to happen
Well the the new Mitsu looks nice.M.J.
E
Edward Hayes
I wouldn't over react to the coolant conditioner since most
manufactures install it at the factory and also add it when the
coolant is changed.
manufactures install it at the factory and also add it when the
coolant is changed.
M
M.J.
Please, I am not overreacting to the conditioner, just recognizing
a long time problem Subaru has had with the 2.5l engine. I believe
their approach has been to try and put a super strong headgasket,
plus the conditioner, without addressing the source of the problem.
I believe that the displacement is too large for the egnine size block,
which leads to the engine being sensitive to overheating in low mass
areas which then causes these notorious head gasket failures.
People have been saying for a long time that its the air trapped in
the cooling system that causes the overheating. Well, i don't know,
Subaru stays mum which leads me to believe in my theory, plus the
2.2L engine never had any of these problems, so go figure.
M.J.
N
nobody >
Todd said:
IIRC, the 8 oz. container is less than $5.
O
Oscar_Lives
THANKS
M.J. said:That would likely mean they didn't fix the problem with the 2.5l engine.
My speculation is that the displacement is too big for the size of the
engine block, and the head gasket fails as there is too little mass in
crucial areas- tiny air bubbles in the cooling system are enough to
initialize overheating and damage the gasket.
I guess I won't be buying a Subaru for some time, unless I spring up
for the 3.0L six engine, which supposedly is prone to hesitation, not
likely
to happen
M.J.
D
DK
Where does it say it? When the original recall was issued, I checked
online and MySubaru stated that there is no recall on my Forester 2002.
I also checked with dealer and confirmed that. I just went to MySubaru
and downloaded Owners' Manual to see if it is updated but now, it's
an old document last modified in the fall of 2001.
DK
B
Bill Bradley
Is this needed for ALL 2.5 L engines, including turbo and 2007 models?
R
Rick Courtright
Bill said:
Hi,
I don't know if it's "needed" but is probably not a bad idea. It's
certainly cheap enough insurance. Water-cooled boxer engines, by their
very design (talk to a VW mechanic about their adventures w/ the
Wasserboxer if you think Subies are bad!), seem to be hard on head
gaskets... so what's to hurt?
Rick
E
Edward Hayes
The recall to have the conditioner was not for all model years.
Subaru's recommendation is to use the conditioner in all 2.5L engines
whenever the coolant is changed. The factory added the conditioner
starting in the year 2002. The TSB or Subaru factory TIPS said it will
be reflected in the owners/service manuals to add the conditioner at
each coolant change.
Subaru's recommendation is to use the conditioner in all 2.5L engines
whenever the coolant is changed. The factory added the conditioner
starting in the year 2002. The TSB or Subaru factory TIPS said it will
be reflected in the owners/service manuals to add the conditioner at
each coolant change.
C
CompUser
news.ops.worldnet.att.net>,
(e-mail address removed) says...
I'm pretty sure SOA or Subaru is now specifying
coolant conditioner for ALL their engines...last
coupla three years or so.
(e-mail address removed) says...
I'm pretty sure SOA or Subaru is now specifying
coolant conditioner for ALL their engines...last
coupla three years or so.
K
Kevin Hall
As near as I can figure it the magic conditioner is little more than a 'Rad
Stop-Leak' deal which is being used to ease those engines past their
warranty period before they inevitably digest their head gaskets.
As one who has had the head gaskets done twice under warranty, the second
time resulting in the replacement of the entire short block, and once after
that at a non-Suby garage I can attest to the fact that there is indeed a
problem with the 2.5 head gaskets, and that Subaru dealers have been less
than forthcoming about it.
Once I had the job done by my own garage using aftermarket gaskets rather
than the Suby ones, the problem stopped. My mechanic tells me that every
Suby on which he used o.e.m. gaskets developed leaks again, and every one
on which he used aftermarket gaskets has not.
Neither of the two Subaru dealerships which did the job on our ' 99 Forester
did a proper job at it. Both claimed to have had the heads magnafluxed and
skimmed to ensure flatness, but when measured after that the heads were
still stock thickness, clearly indicating that service managers at both
dealerships lied through their dentures.
The heads and block deck were scratched in a manner to suggest that someone
removed the residue from previous gaskets using a piece of 80 grit sandpaper
artistically wrapped around an index finger.
If I were in the position of the original poster I would use the conditioner
as prescribed as a term for warranty validity, and as I neared the cut-off
date for warranty work I would have the engine leak-down tested on a regular
basis in order to try to spot gasket failure before the buggers can legally
deny you the job.
I love the Suby, but their service in this part of Canada is the pits, to
be kind. The scarcity of dealerships here also poses a logistic problem
for warranty service. Trips of 100 miles each way to the nearest dealer do
not improve ones' attitude once he gets to where he is about to be lied to.
KH
Stop-Leak' deal which is being used to ease those engines past their
warranty period before they inevitably digest their head gaskets.
As one who has had the head gaskets done twice under warranty, the second
time resulting in the replacement of the entire short block, and once after
that at a non-Suby garage I can attest to the fact that there is indeed a
problem with the 2.5 head gaskets, and that Subaru dealers have been less
than forthcoming about it.
Once I had the job done by my own garage using aftermarket gaskets rather
than the Suby ones, the problem stopped. My mechanic tells me that every
Suby on which he used o.e.m. gaskets developed leaks again, and every one
on which he used aftermarket gaskets has not.
Neither of the two Subaru dealerships which did the job on our ' 99 Forester
did a proper job at it. Both claimed to have had the heads magnafluxed and
skimmed to ensure flatness, but when measured after that the heads were
still stock thickness, clearly indicating that service managers at both
dealerships lied through their dentures.
The heads and block deck were scratched in a manner to suggest that someone
removed the residue from previous gaskets using a piece of 80 grit sandpaper
artistically wrapped around an index finger.
If I were in the position of the original poster I would use the conditioner
as prescribed as a term for warranty validity, and as I neared the cut-off
date for warranty work I would have the engine leak-down tested on a regular
basis in order to try to spot gasket failure before the buggers can legally
deny you the job.
I love the Suby, but their service in this part of Canada is the pits, to
be kind. The scarcity of dealerships here also poses a logistic problem
for warranty service. Trips of 100 miles each way to the nearest dealer do
not improve ones' attitude once he gets to where he is about to be lied to.
KH
J
Jeff
Can you add it between antifreeze changes for just when you flush and change
the system? I didn't add it on the last change because my 02 wasn't part of
the recall. Jeff
the system? I didn't add it on the last change because my 02 wasn't part of
the recall. Jeff
S
strchild
Yes, and the instructions are right on the back of the cute, plastic, little
blue bottle the stuff comes in. It basically says to remove an equal part
fluid then replace with the conditioner, so nothing world shattering.
~Brian
blue bottle the stuff comes in. It basically says to remove an equal part
fluid then replace with the conditioner, so nothing world shattering.
~Brian
O
Oscar_Lives
I hear all the talk about the 2.5 engine. What about the H6 3.0 liter?
My manual '07 Outback LL Bean says to use this stuff with each coolant
change, and the coolant needs to be changed every 30,000 miles (one a year,
the way we drive). This seems a little excessive compared to the other car
manufacturers....
My manual '07 Outback LL Bean says to use this stuff with each coolant
change, and the coolant needs to be changed every 30,000 miles (one a year,
the way we drive). This seems a little excessive compared to the other car
manufacturers....
S
strchild
I hear all the talk about the 2.5 engine. What about the H6 3.0 liter?
The 2.5 is a 4 cyl. and the 3.0 is a 6. Larger engine block so will have
different dynamics for heat dissipation. I haven't heard anything about the
3.0. Anybody else hear anything about it? I thought they eventually
overcame the problems with the 2.5, but I'm not sure which year. Thought it
was around 03'. Be I mistaken?
~Brian
The 2.5 is a 4 cyl. and the 3.0 is a 6. Larger engine block so will have
different dynamics for heat dissipation. I haven't heard anything about the
3.0. Anybody else hear anything about it? I thought they eventually
overcame the problems with the 2.5, but I'm not sure which year. Thought it
was around 03'. Be I mistaken?
~Brian