Subaru Forester Water Drip and Coolant Reservoir Low

• 

  MS Paint on 23/12/2022 - 12:49

  +2

  Checked the coolant reservoir, and it's about 2cm lower than my mark.

  That level will vary depending on multiple factors. I assume you are looking at the expansion/overflow reservoir.

  If it's above MIN you will be fine. The car manual will advise what the levels should roughly be when cold or hot.

  I'm guessing it's AC bi-product. Go for a drive without the AC and see if there are any leaks.

• 

  ESEMCE on 23/12/2022 - 12:59

  +4

  short errand of a few minutes.

  Short drive = relatively cold engine = less expansion in your coolant = more coolant in your radiator and less in your overflow.

  I don't think there's any problem.

  Check the level tomorrow morning when the engine is fully cold.

• 

  Nugs on 23/12/2022 - 13:15

  +1

  If you do need to keep it topped up until sorted a cup or two of water won't dilute too much. most cooling systems are over 5 litres, many approach 10
  .

• 

  Drakesy on 23/12/2022 - 13:50

  +1

  My thought would be air-con, i had an Audi and it dripped quite profusely in the same place and thought it was spewing coolant.

  Turns out it was just condensation from the air-con condenser.

  If it's clear, smells like water, tastes like water
  Then it's probably water.

  Maybe give you coolant a bit of a top up in the process.

  • 

    pegaxs on 23/12/2022 - 23:35

    +1

    Your condenser should not be dripping water. Your evaporator should.

    The condenser is the one at the front of the car near the radiator and is the hot side of the aircon.

    The evaporator is the one under the dash and the one that drops water, as it’s the cold side.

    • 

      Drakesy on 24/12/2022 - 12:45

      Yep
      That one
      Bingo

• 

  Euphemistic on 23/12/2022 - 14:04

  +1

  Most likely AC condensation if its clear. It’s a bit humid this time of year, it’ll drip more in humid weather.

  If concerned just keep an eye on the temp gauge/light and check your coolant level according to the manufacturer manual until you can get back to a mechanic.

• 

  jizmo on 23/12/2022 - 15:24

  +2

  If he's changed the coolant without bleeding the head space. The air slowly getting pumped out of the head would be sucking up from the reservoir to make up for the small void.

  if not here are some things to look out for.

  Common symptoms that your 2013 Subaru Forester needs a coolant flush are:

  Your temperature gauge will learn well above instinctive with the engine on for various minutes.
  Your heater may stop working
  Sometimes, albeit unlikely, you'll be able to smell an odd burning odor coming from under the hood.
  Unusual grinding noises can come from the engine*
  Coolant will frequently leak out when the engine is running. Check the ground when you park.
  Steam will come from the radiator or hood
  Sediment or rust will be conspicuous in the coolant
  Your check engine light may turn on.
  

  .

• 

  Worf on 23/12/2022 - 21:20

  +1

  If coolant reservoir is above min, then, you will be fine.

  Father in law had a 2010 forester and that used blue coolant.

  Yes, adding distilled water will dilute, but not a big deal, and much better than not having anything and overheating the engine. (If you’re concerned about this, then buy concentrate and add one part concentrate to equivalent amount of already added distilled water).

  Maybe check/top up coolant when engine is completely cold… then re-check when completely cold.

  I wouldn’t stress at this stage as there is insufficient information. (Check re-check when completely cold to first establish if coolant is reliably reducing). Similar to above comments

• 

  Worf on 23/12/2022 - 21:24

  +1

  …also, re whitish powder… you could wipe it clean and see if any new powder forms within a week or several drives. Hopefully nothing new appears (and it’s simply old buildup)

• 

  Worf on 23/12/2022 - 21:39

  +1

  …if there is a coolant leak, then I guess your course of action (wait vs go to someone else) depends on:
  1. the rate of leakage
  2. how much driving you’ll be doing,
  3. whether the original mechanic did anything to the coolant system (in which case they might fix it for free, e.g., if it’s simply a hose clamp which needs to be tightened)
  4. Your relationship with this mechanic (does he know your car well, do you trust him, would you prefer to stay with them, etc)

  …may not necessarily be urgent and might be worth waiting (while topping up).

• 

  kiitos on 26/12/2022 - 12:39

  +1

  Thank you very much everyone. I (clearly) didn't know that the coolant reservoir level can go up as well as down. After reading the comments I checked the levels over 2 mornings after the car was sitting overnight, and the level is consistent at about 1cm above the "low" line". So good that it doesn't appear to be leaking, a tad unsettling that this level is lower than I thought you'd aim for. But the comments have reassured me.

  We do plan to go away for a few days this week to the Snowies (hence my alarm at the car potentially having a problem), and so if we do I'll take something to top up the reservoir just in case.

  As for the dripping, I drove around for some trips with the AC off and sure enough, the dripping was more or less non-existent.

  Thanks again!