Coolant Leak Conundrum

[surikov]

Hello all, I'm new here and just acquired a 1990 Loyale. I bought it as a winter beater so I wouldn't ruin my other car during the brutal midwest winter. I'm starting to enjoy driving it and wish to make it mechanically sound.

 

I discovered a coolant leak after a small puddle formed in my driveway. I topped off the coolant and ran the car for a while and didn't see anything so I gave up and went inside. This morning when I came out the puddle was there and some coolant was puddled up on the LH cylinder head in a spark plug hole. Not very much, just enough to take notice. It drips off the head and onto the aft part of the engine then makes its way to the ground bringing grime from underneath the car with it. It seems minor but I can't quite figure out where it's leaking from.

 

Here's where it puddles in the spark plug hole.

 

 

Here is where I think it is coming from. It doesn't make sense considering it's part of the intake system. Does coolant run through or around it?

 

 

Here is where it pools up below the starter. Extra gross down there.

 

 

Thanks for any help I get. I imagine it is some hose I'm just passing over or I can't see.

 

If anyone can recommend a good shop manual that would be great too.

[mountaingoatgruff]

there's a coolant crossover in the intake manifold and its not uncommon for those intake gaskets to seep coolant, even into the head.

 

replace with OE Subaru gaskets from the dealership only (i pay $4.40 each) - aftermarket knockoffs are junk and notorious for failing.

[MilesFox]

first thing to look at is the tiny little coolant hose that runs from the bottom of the thermostat housing to the top of the block. its about 6 inches long. of this leaks it can run down either side or the back of the engine.

 

otherwise it can be the intake gasket. there is a coolant passege through the intake itself. the intake can be removed as an entire assembly. you can take up the intake just by unbolting it and moving it away enough to change the gaskets. or you can undo the throttle cable, the fuel hoses and the harness connectors to remove it completely.

 

if you have to go that far, you can leave the throttle body, the intake boots and the charcoal canister connected to the intake.

 

this isn't white wagon with blue interior you have, is it?

[surikov]

I'll have a look at that hose. Sounds like it may be the culprit. I'll post my findings. It probably wouldn't hurt to replace all the coolant hoses for some extra peace of mind. I will most definitely take a look at the intake too.

 

this isn't white wagon with blue interior you have, is it?

 

No it's a red Loyale I picked up from southern Indiana last week. It just so happens that a neighbor that lives about a block away has a white 1992 Legacy in blue and white that I really wanted but his price was astronomical and he would not come down even though I offered him a more than fair price for it. The tires were horribly worn and it had rust holes I could stick my fist through.

It was also an automatic.

[Ricearu]

from the pic it looks as if the intake gaskets are degraded aftermarkets, might look at changing those critters.

[surikov]

After doing some general maintenance on the car yesterday afternoon (Seafoam, air filter, PCV) I decided that I'll change both the tiny coolant hose and the gaskets for the intake. Then, it's on to the oil leaks.

 

As a side note, I've never had a vehicle undergo a Seafoam treatment and change this drastically!

[mountaingoatgruff]

'90 Loyale oughta be SPFI - there's a small coolant hose between the pipe on the back of the manifold and the throttle body that you might consider replacing in addition to the little one between the t-stat housing and the block. iirc, i used 1/4" hose for both.

 

also, when i replace hoses i also try to replace the podunk factory Subaru hose clamps with better stainless ones. the sleek ones on Subaru EFI fuel lines are stainless and work perfect for those little coolant hoses.

Edited January 7, 2010 by mountaingoatgruff