2.2L Legacy with headgasket issues?

[SQ]

1998 Subaru Legacy, 2.2L, 147,000 miles

I see some coolant on top of the engine. If the car seats for a week
and then runs, white, sweet-smelling smoke comes out from the engine
bay area. It looks like coolant drips into the Y-pipe and burns.

However, no smoke from the tailpipe so the leak appears to be
external. It's minimal and in day to day driving not obvious.

The engine does not overheat nor does the temp fluctuate. The heat is
slightly on the warm side (versus hot) but does get hot eventually,
after 20 mins of driving.

I know that Subarus of that vintage are well known for head gasket
issues, but I thought that 2.2L was fairly bulletproof.

I looked at the radiator hoses but cannot find the source of the leak.
It's on the passenger's side of the engine.

http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

1998 Subaru Legacy, 2.2L, 147,000 miles

I see some coolant on top of the engine. If the car seats for a week
and then runs, white, sweet-smelling smoke comes out from the engine
bay area. It looks like coolant drips into the Y-pipe and burns.

However, no smoke from the tailpipe so the leak appears to be
external. It's minimal and in day to day driving not obvious.

The engine does not overheat nor does the temp fluctuate. The heat is
slightly on the warm side (versus hot) but does get hot eventually,
after 20 mins of driving.

I know that Subarus of that vintage are well known for head gasket
issues, but I thought that 2.2L was fairly bulletproof.

I looked at the radiator hoses but cannot find the source of the leak.
It's on the passenger's side of the engine.

http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/

I and my daughter have both had cars with pinhole leakes that would
spray under pressure. usually, other components underhood are wet . You
might observe under the hood after the car is at operating temp. Or
maybe a shop could pressure test it.

hope it isn't the HG, but seems probable.

Carl

 

[johninky]

1998 Subaru Legacy, 2.2L, 147,000 miles>

However, no smoke from the tailpipe so the leak appears to be
external. It's minimal and in day to day driving not obvious.

The engine does not overheat nor does the temp fluctuate. The heat is
slightly on the warm side (versus hot) but does get hot eventually,
after 20 mins of driving.>

It's on the passenger's side of the engine.

This has heater hoses and/or heater core written all over it.

 

[jim shooz]

I and my daughter have both had cars with pinhole leakes that would
spray under pressure. usually, other components underhood are wet . You
might observe under the hood after the car is at operating temp. Or
maybe a shop could pressure test it.

hope it isn't the HG, but seems probable.

Carl

On some models of that era the separate header tank which housed the
radiator pressure cap were 'plastic' which was prone to splitting. Only
showed up when under pressure and would leak coolant onto the manifold.
When you went into a wrecker and mentioned Subaru radiator they knew
exactly which part you wanted.

 

[SQ]

This has heater hoses and/or heater core written all over it.

I will check these, thanks.