HG gone?
 

Took the old bug out for a run today and it appears that the new radiator cap has not fixed my coolant issue so I think it could be a bit more sinister! What do you guys think?

Spec:
Forged 2.5 with cometic gaskets & ARP head studs, AVCS heads. MD321x turbo (T+) running 1.5/6 bar 440bhp
Symptoms:
Coolant in overflow rising after driving and not returning to original level on cooling.
Bubbles in coolant overflow tank when running (warm) and after driving for a few minutes.
Expansion tank level fallen once cooled - no loss of coolant it's all the the overflow just displaced by air.
No obvious exhaust smell in coolant, coolant looks slightly dirty but no oil film/ residue.
No obvious contamination of oil.
Possible slightly excessive moisture/steam from exhaust but car has been standing for over 2 months.
Car runs perfectly.

The bubbling seems to be the most consistent symptom of Subaru engines with HG failure from all the threads I have seen on it.

The other "classic" symptoms seem to sometimes materialise, but not consistently.

Two months standing!? What's the point in having it?

Thought you knew it was hg?

Sniff test?

Not commenting as you do the opposite any way !

To be fair if I had a Legacy Spec B on the drive i'd get in that all the time and use my bugeye even less than I do now as well!

Can't help you with the HG question mate as i'm no expert, but hope it doesn't work out too much of a pig to fix!

What do you reckon though Chris time to pull the engine and have it checked?

I just haven't had the chance to use the car over the past few moths what with the kids etc. also the Legacy is a hell of a capable car so I've not actually missed the performance that much, even though the impreza is significantly faster in comparison!

I swapped the Rad cap for a higher pressure one and it appeared to cure the symptoms must have just been a coincidence.

you can test the head gasket with test kit brent at smd can do it

Littlehampton might be a bit far for a head gasket test by Brent in newhaven!!! :fool:

I'm going to get a sniff test done locally then will decide on what to do based on the results! Should be ok to drive to Brent to get the work done but I can get a sniff test done around the corner!

Yes exactly :roll: