Spend $60 on coolant leaking check?

[swzhao]

Hi there,
My forester 2001 now has an annoying coolant leak. I know the recall
on head gasket problem so I just did a coolant flush about one and
half months ago and asked the dealer to add the subaru conditioner.
However, now it's still same as before. I even wonders whether they
forgot to add conditioner for me. But another possible cause might be
the accident I had in Jan. this year. The dealer asked $60 to do a
check. Is it fair?
How could I identify the possible cause by myself? There is no
overheating or abnormal color in engine oil. Maybe it's not a big deal
if I just put some extra coolant periodly. But if it's caused by the
infamous head gasket, I believe it's still in the extended warranty.

What're you guys' suggestions?
Thank you in advance!

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Hi there,
My forester 2001 now has an annoying coolant leak. I know the recall
on head gasket problem so I just did a coolant flush about one and
half months ago and asked the dealer to add the subaru conditioner.
However, now it's still same as before. I even wonders whether they
forgot to add conditioner for me. But another possible cause might be
the accident I had in Jan. this year. The dealer asked $60 to do a
check. Is it fair?
How could I identify the possible cause by myself? There is no
overheating or abnormal color in engine oil. Maybe it's not a big deal
if I just put some extra coolant periodly. But if it's caused by the
infamous head gasket, I believe it's still in the extended warranty.

What're you guys' suggestions?
Thank you in advance!

If you haven't narrowed it down by now(looked above a puddle, or seen
another obvious signs under the hood somewhere, etc.), I'd that's a fair
price and probably a good idea.

Carl

 

[mulder]

Hi there,
My forester 2001 now has an annoying coolant leak. I know the recall
on head gasket problem so I just did a coolant flush about one and
half months ago and asked the dealer to add the subaru conditioner.
However, now it's still same as before. I even wonders whether they
forgot to add conditioner for me. But another possible cause might be
the accident I had in Jan. this year. The dealer asked $60 to do a
check. Is it fair?
How could I identify the possible cause by myself? There is no
overheating or abnormal color in engine oil. Maybe it's not a big deal
if I just put some extra coolant periodly. But if it's caused by the
infamous head gasket, I believe it's still in the extended warranty.

What're you guys' suggestions?
Thank you in advance!

The dealer is presumably quoting you for an hour of labor to diagnose
the problem, which is standard practice. Once they find it there would
be additional labor and parts charges for the actual repair.
What they will probably do is connect a pressure tester to the system,
which will pressurize it without the engine running and any external
leaks should then become apparent. If you had access to a pressure
tester you could do this yourself. Note that if the pressure tester
shows a pressure drop but there is no obvious visible leak, then
further diagnosis is needed as it could be an internal engine problem
(head gasket, cracked head) or leaking heater core. You'd probably
know if it was the heater core because you'd smell it and the
windshield would fog up with a slimy film when you used defrost.

 

[swzhao]

Thanks!
My doubt is whether it's worth or necessary to check since I haven't
seen overheating or other problems? Any signs I should check? Would it
cause potential damage if I just ignore it now?

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Thanks!
My doubt is whether it's worth or necessary to check since I haven't
seen overheating or other problems? Any signs I should check? Would it
cause potential damage if I just ignore it now?

You mentioned an extended warranty - if there is coolant loss, why would
you have to pay $60? - is that towards a deductible?
It's hard to imagine a failure with your symptoms not being covered
under a warranty. If there is no dripping or puddles under the car -
even dripping from a rearward postion from 'blowback' under the car, it
likely is leaving through the combustion chamber. Sometimes, pulling the
plugs out and comparing will show one with a distinctly different look.
That cylinder may be blowing out coolant.

I dunno


Carl