Previously, I posted about a coolant leak on an '02 Subaru Imprezia Outback Sport. Here's what I wrote in December: ---
During the prolonged cold spell here in the northern plains, I started noticing the sweet smell of burning coolant briefly when running the cabin heat at idle. Underway, the smell disappears. This was of great concern since the last Subaru I owned (an '85) cracked a head and oil infiltrated the coolant system. The symptoms were similar -- except this time there was no oil visible in the reservoir.
I started checking under the car and noticed a small spot of coolant, perhaps about 50 ml of coolant, directly under the engine after it sat overnight. Thinking pump failure, I took it into the mechanic who said the pump needed to be replaced.
The car is a 2002 Subaru Imprezia Outback Sport -- the mini Outback wagon. I've only got about 36k miles on it. Has anyone else had issues with their water pump on this model? It seemed quite premature for the pump to crap out like that.