Antifreeze Leak anyone?

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

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.

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

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

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

Carl

Joaqu> I just checked the miles on my car and out of waranty (52,000 miles).

warranty is 5yrs or 60,000

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

dealership.

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.

waterpump is part of engine.covered by 5/60

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 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!

-- Todd H.