2007 forester coolant problem

Jun 17, 2008 3 Replies

Last year, my daughter bought a 2007 Forester (still under factory warranty). We noticed the coolant was very low last year (overflow container was completely empty when hot), and took it down for service. They said the radiator cap was bad and replaced it.



We are still having the same problem. She took it down again, and they drove it on the interstate, and pressure tested it, and said they could not find any trace of a leak -- pressure test was OK. They suggested she was overfilling the overflow container.



When it is warm, I can smell antifreeze. The last time she filled it, she had to not only add coolant to the overflow container, but also an little to the radiator.



Would a problem with the head gasket show up during pressure test? It runs at normal temp -- no overheating problem.



I remember J.C. Whitney used to sell kits that you could add a dye that would show up under black light, where it is leaking. Maybe I could find a private garage that could do that?



Suggestions?



Jim


Could be any number of things; head gasket, the cross-over thing below the intake, a heater core, _any_ of the radiator/heater hoses, or the thermostat cover (check for leaks here first).

That said, I'd suggest you dump the problem firmly into the dealers lap; why risk blowing your warranty? Besides, if you do somehow toast the motor, and you're on record as having coolant issues (which _they_ failed to resolve), it's still their problem.

If the nice-guy approach isn't working, try pitching a fit in the showroom while potential customers are milling about; guaranteed results ;-)

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB Laboratory Manager Microelectronics Research University of Colorado (719) 262-3101

Hi, Does she watch temp. gauge carefully? It can give a clue.

Try a different dealer. Still under warranty, right?

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