so I recently replaced the water pump after it went bad and started leaking on me. Afterwards, car runs great again. This morning I take the car for a drive to a friends house, after getting back home i start to smell coolant again as when the water pump was leaking. my initial suspicion was that the new pump crapped out on me already, (maybe I have installed it wrong, or didnt seal properly) luckily it was under LT warranty, so not a huge deal.

after looking under the car I trace the leak back to the area near the rear of the block, specifically the rear portion of the driver side head. no where near the water pump. doesnt look good at all. not sure if that area is the source, or may be dripping from some other location... can't really tell. I have posted some photos, perhaps this is something someone else has seen? any help is appreciated!

 

1. Head gasket is leaking water

2. Water pipe on top of the head is leaking and running down

3. Leak near or in the expansion tank.

 

1 & 2 I've considered. 1 being worse case scenario.


from what I can see the expansion tank seems ok. (i am assuming you are referring to what I typically call the "overflow tank", which is attached to the radiator. and has a line running from the cap neck.)

 

no the expansion tank has coolant 3 hoses on the top and one on the bottom with a radiator cap on the top.

 

nevermind you said the drivers side. the expansion tank is on the passenger side.

 

Unfortunately, it's a classic head gasket leak, no question. We do these practically on a weekly basis.

Fortunately, it's repairable and under some circumstances is covered under warranty by SOA, such as being under 100k miles and have been running the mandated Subaru Coolant Conditioner.

Most if not all 2.5 SOHC motors suffer from this. It's not a matter of if, but when.

My $.02
-Adam

 

you're 100% sure on this? if so I'm very saddened.

I've done a number of rebuilds/HG jobs myself so it's something I can handle OK. (fully stocked garage) I was just really hoping it wouldn't come down to something so drastic.

 

I'd say that if you're anywhere around 100-120k miles or there after without doubt.

It should be leaking oil and coolant. It starts out as an oil leak which becomes a nuisance, usually running down the crossmember and getting on the exhaust. Then eventually will begin leaking coolant as well, not enough to make the engine overheat, unless left unnoticed for a very long time.

So the answer, Yes 100%

Once apart it will be very obvious where the HG deteriorated and could no longer seal.

Sorry again, hope it helped.

-Adam

 

you've been a big help. thanks a lot!

its shy a handful of miles to 130k. would you recommend a HG job on both heads? will i run the risk of having this occur on the passenger side as well?

 

DISCLAIMER: ofcourse rule everything else out first

If or when you do the job, I suggest doing both heads, then they will have equal mileage and should be good for another 100+k miles. No sense doing just one and then have to do the other shortly after.

 

I was short on daylight when I discovered the issue. some tomorrow after work I'll dig in a little more to see exactly what's going on. it seems from what I felt that there was a dark oily goop forming under there, and it has recently started excreting coolant. along the lines of what you describe, and evident from the photos.