Is it normal that the coolant gets low in time?
 

Hi,

I have a 2019 limited and 14000 miles. Last month I just checked some of the liquids and realized that the coolant level was at min (cold). After driving from Boston to NY the level gets close to max (is normal when the car is heated)

Today I checked before turning on (cold) and the level was way below the min. I did drive just 5 miles and it was just close to min. It’s scares me but never had this in my previous cars. I always check the ground for any leaks (coolant oil etc) and never saw a leak.

This car has been used only for my weekly Boston - NY trips and has the 14K miles. Never pushed the car and regularly drive 60-70 MPH.

I wonder if the decrease of the coolant is normal. I had my 6K and 12K Checks at the Subaru dealer and they also did not mention anything regarding this.

I can get the oem Subaru coolant and put a little in. Just wanted to ask if there is anything to worry about.

If topping it, should I add it on a heated (and after how long driving) car?

Thanks


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Would a large temperature differential between the two data points (where you observed cold coolant levels) be great enough to account for the thermal expansion?

I keep mine Just at / slightly under the full line when cold. Over time you do slowly lose some although it should not be much unless you have a leak, also if you had it checked on a hot summer day, and are now checking it and its 40 degrees colder that could also drop it a few inches down the reservoir line.
Just top it off and check it a few times before your next couple drives to see if its dropping at all.

It should never be at the full line when cold. It is an expansion tank for when it gets hot and if full when cold there is no place for it to expand to.
The coolant is a mix of water and antifreeze. The water will slowly evaporate over time and needs to be replaced periodically. If you can not see or smell it then you have no issue. Just replace the water (distilled) and carry on.

Thanks. That’s what I did in the previous cars. Putting distilled water from time to time.
I already got the oem Subaru coolant. Do you think If I add the coolant it will be ok? Or should I just replace the evaporated water.


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FYI from owners manual

"The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “F” and “L” lines on
the reservoir when the engine is cold. If the level is on or below the “L”
line, add coolant up to the “F” line.
(→P. 465)"

So it is satisfactory to be in between the F and L lines, but when filling it up it says to fill to the F line.

The reservoir has plenty of expansion space beyond the F line, if you are expanding the fluid beyond that capacity then you have other issues to worry about, like air in the system, leaks in the system, or overheating.

Although as previously stated colder weather can make it read "artificially" low, i would fill right at or just under F line at about 70 degrees, or fill about 1/3" lower per 10 degree drop but never below the L.
Or just warm coolant up to 70s and top it up to just at or under F.

Just replace the water. Keep the coolant for when it needs to be changed.

Thanks! I stand corrected.

Both the dealer and I have by mistake overfilled my coolant a few times and everything seemed to be okay, never leaked or anything. I also have never in my 6 years of ownership added distilled water. I just top it off with 50/50 toyota stuff, around 100k I do expect to do a flush. I originally planned on getting the super awesome jackson dual radiator/oil cooler, but due to other financial strains I can no longer afford that radiator :(


On a side note, does anyone know if the J02 recall involves replacing the coolant? I don't think it does but seems worth asking.

In warmer climates distilled water can be fine. (Such as cali)
However coolant has additives to both increase boiling point, decrease freezing point, and prevent corrosion. Its also pretty cheap and infrequently replaced. Lots of places to save money. Personally a coolant isn’t a place I choose.

Appreciate all the information in a such short time. Thanks


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Right, which is why I have been using the Toyota 50/50 stuff. Been using the same jug for a long time, bought it years ago and still use it to this day. Not very expensive considering how infrequently I have to top it off and how long its lasted.

If they pull the engine for it, then they would have to. Unless they have a way of pulling the radiator and heater core at the same time without disconnecting any coolant lines.

Water is going to evaporate faster, leaving more coolant than water. Need to add (distilled) water to keep it 50/50.
:thumbsup:

There ya go.- :thumbsup:

Especially since only about a cup of fluid will top it off.


humfrz

i freaked out one day because my overflow tank was completely empty. went to the dealer and paid 30 bucks for coolant only to find that a layer of dirt, dust and grime concealed the coolant in the overflow tank

Had the same thing a few days ago in the morning when the weather temp dropped dramatically. Went to the dealer and got the coolant for $3x and added it up to between min and max to the heated car. Today checked after driving 40 miles and it’s exactly at the max level.

Happy owner again :) still curious how the reservoir got to a little above the min on a heated car that I bought brand new in April 2019. (15K miles)



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:slap:


humfrz

:slap:

Did EVERYONE skip chemistry in the 6th grade?

:rolleyes:


:sigh:


humfrz

i was reading magazines.
no, not those kind of magazines!

https://echo-media.com/uploads/media...og_inserts.jpg

Riiiiiiiiiiightttttttt - :D


humfrz

I gave up answering the coolant question. I can only take so much sadness...

Maybe if the young people today would have gotten one of these as a kid, instead of video games, we wouldn't get so many questions like this? - :iono:

:sigh:


humfrz

My forum name didn't happen by chance! While the other guys were burning money chasing girls, i was comparing subwoofer specifications and picking out amplifiers!

Oh, I'll bet you did help her pick out the best record player - :party0030:


humfrz

I wonder what she looks like now, because she looked bloody good then.

On seconds thoughts, I don't want to know, reality often offends.

Oh, she is doing her best to keep up with the times - :thumbsup:


humfrz

It was so much easier before the expansion tanks showed up. Your overflow just pissed out on the road and every couple of months you took the rad cap off (when engine was cold) and checked the level. If it was low you threw some water in and that was that.

But, but ……??

* why only take the cap off when it's cold?

* how much water should I add?

* shouldn't I be adding some alcohol too?

* what do you mean to cover the core?

* what does the core look like?

* how much to add over the core?

* what if I put too much in?

Wait one - I can't find the hood release to even get started!

:confused0068:


humfrz

Valid points there Hum!


Can you imagine the chaos:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/57/ff...833dbdae7b.jpg

https://www.ericpetersautos.com/wp-c...ar-gas-cap.jpg

Ya, folks, I need some help - my 56 chevy just blew up!

Last night, I had just put some aftermarket tail lights in (DIY) and left the wires bare because I wasn't sure which way was wired right. As I took a test drive, I noticed I was low on gas. I left my lights on while I gassed up - and my car just blew up - and I don't know why - HELP - :confused0068:

:iono:

Most probably it’s the gas! Brand? Price? Outside temp? Can you give details? :))))


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It was a hot (94 degrees F), humid (103%) night in Missouri, down at Westbrook's ESSO. The gas was regular leaded, that's all they had and the price was 27.9 cents per gallon.

Any help? - :iono:


humfrz

Known problem with this car. I top off the coolant every year or so with dealership OEM coolant. No overheating problems.



To everyone suggesting that it's due to the water "evaporating". Has anyone actually use a coolant strength tester? Yes the reservoir isn't air tight but neither has any other car I've owned, and none of my previous cars have ever lost significant amounts of coolant, even in decades.

i've got a theory, bear with me for a minute.

are you stick or auto?

if you're stick, do you somewhat follow the 'eco' light, and attempt to keep revs under 2k when possible?

do you ever do rolling 2nd gear starts?

What's a "eco light"

I believe someone earlier mentioned alcohol.....

Meh

On topic: can I use blinker fluid instead of coolant, if so, do I just use the standard clear blinker fluid.

I have heard on the interwebs that the green coloured blinker fluid supplies the most gains though, 7 hpatw, there's dyno plots somewhere, although, I'm skeptical about this, science would dictate that red blinker fluid would supply the most gains, not green.

Thoughts????

:slap: - you got that ALL wrong - it's the BLUE blinker fluid that is to be used - :rolleyes:

The forum goes down for a day or two and you guys just lose all your knowledge - :iono:


humfrz

Thanks for the tip

Actually working during the day, and not trolling this forum, is not healthy for my psyche

I almost sold the 86 and purchased another Skyline because SAU australia never goes down for more than the time it takes to make a coffee.

Heaven forbid I actually have a productive day at work.

Thank Jebus I have some good drones that work hard to make me look good.

You left the same coolant in for "decades"?


The amount of loss is so miniscule it would not show on a tester.

That would depend on what kind of tester you are using - ;)

The last time I tried to use my old tester, the rubber bulb disintegrated in my hand when I squeezed it - :iono:


humfrz