So I got the timing belt and water pump done and figured I'd do a coolant flush and add the Subaru conditioner since I didn't know if the previous owner had done that. The mechanic put in the Subaru Long Life coolant but he didn't use the Subaru brand conditioner. He used something by Red Line instead. Should I be concerned or will it do the same job?

 

Can't see the issue considering I run the Redline stuff in every car I have.

 

Cool. Thanks.

 

Its basically a leak stop.

 

The redline stuff acts as a lubricant for the waterpump seals, and also raises the boiling point of the existing coolant

 

So do I still have to add this stuff?

 

I...am not sure.

 

OK So the conditioner was for the years that had the head gasket leaking problem. If your car does not fall in those years, no need for that. Also if your car was in that range and had the head gaskets changed, no need. If you are in the range and have the original gaskets, you need the conditioner. It wont stop the eventual head gasket job you will need, just kicks the can down the road a bit.

I use redline water wetter additive to my coolant to help make it a little bit cooler.

 

The NA 2.5 engines seemed to be one of the main offenders, and since the car [2006 outback sport] only had 85k miles when I got it, I added the conditioner. Really weird looking stuff. So, I have the Redline and Subaru conditioners in there now.