low coolant
 

Anyone having issues with low coolant levels? I popped it off this summer but its low again. I suggest everyone to take a peak. so many theories going around, but would b nice if someone has a real answer to this issue.


Mine is 1/4 in below the low line in the reservoir tank after diving for 20min. will check when engine is cold.

Lol

If there is coolant in the bottle every time you check you're fine. The bottle is just a reservoir. Nothing more. It isn't even needed if your coolant level is perfect, in theory. The bottle is there so it CAN be a 1/4in low.

Hence the 'Lol' in @ramiram1984 post. I figured I'd be a little nicer.

Mine looses coolant slowly as well, I'm pretty sure it is just due to the water in the mixture gradually evaporating out with how hot our cars tend to run. I've looked pretty closely at mine and do not see evidence of coolant leaking anywhere.

Yep, check it cold and report back .... ;)

If it is below the "low" mark, and it makes you feel better, you could bring it up to above the low mark by adding the blue Toyota/Subaru coolant or, since you're in Oregon, a bit of distilled water.

humfrz

I didn't mean to be rude or make it sound like that. Honestly, it's bc I wondered the same thing when I 1st purchased my vehicle last march

Just checked after the engine cooled. Coolant reservoir is completely empty now. I will add 50/50 coolant tomorrow so it will be inbetween full/low line. This will be the 2nd time filling up the coolant with a total of 18k mile on the odometer.

There seems to be numerous members on this forum that has similar issues, FI or N/A, bone stock etc.

I'd check your coolant levels.

Yep, if the coolant is not showing up in the tank, I'd add some also. Be sure what you add is the "right stuff" .... the blue stuff doesn't get along with just any old anti-freeze.

I check mine from time to time and it pretty well stays about an inch above the low mark (when cold).

Ain't automobile ownership fun ..... ;)

humfrz

Cuz turbo.

No problem with my coolant levels.

I don't smell the coolant leakage nor visible evidence, but it does seem to get low pretty quickly compared to other cars I have owned. Today I was able to get the factory coolant from the dealership, and they recommended using the "super blue" instead of a universal 50/50 coolant from an autoparts store.

Upon doing more research, there are multiple theories on this forum:
Water evaporating since our engines run hot, and the reservoir cap is not air-tight.
Head gasket leakage
Radiator leakage
White smoke from exhaust after shutting car off indicates a possible radiator fluid leak, possible pump failure
low pressure cylinder head causing a leak (not exactly sure how this affects coolant)

The last 4 situation sounds a bit scary, while I was reading the 10 page coolant issue on this forum. I really hope its situation #1.

Did you have this issue before you went turbo? i've been DD my car and have not coolant issues whatsoever.

Well if it makes you feel any better, I'd say its unlikely a head gasket issue. Mine looses some coolant, so I sent used oil in to blackstone for analysis. It came back with no coolant or water in the oil.

Yea my coolant was going quick before turbo. Although my car has been through about 8 Auto-X events, a road trip to Vegas in 115F desert heat, a few late night drift sessions, and a few passes at the drag strip.

Now that I have a good reservoir fill, it will be interesting to see if the turbo makes any difference.

When I fill the coolant, its always like such a short pour though. So not much is lost perhaps, just looks scary when its below the "low" or the reservoir is bone dry!