Ok so here is the story, i have had my 2002 wrx for a few months now and has recently started to burn coolant through the exhaust, its most noticeable if it sits and idles for awhile then when i take off it has a syrup smell to it. it does not smoke all the time just a little here and there. i also noticed there was buildup of coolant on the plastic peice under the radiator and a lil around the top of it where its plastic. i didnt know if that could be from the overflow tank. my car does not overheat at all and seams to drive normal like it should. oh i have not done a compression test yet either. what do you guys think it could be? thanks.
I highly doubt you are burning it. The radiators suck on the WRX and STi, and most of them will blow the upper core seal. They start out just seeping, and then they will actually leak. You are just smelling the hot coolant burning on the front manifold or just stinking up the place by sitting on the radiator fins. Find a new radiator, and degrease it really well. The smell will go away.
I'm no help but just thought I would say I want pancakes now!! AJ we need to all go to a random Dennys outing soon..fml...oh and I hope you liked my ricer fly by on the interestate i went fast =) wee! lol...
^ yeah we should... anyways yeah i seen it through the exhaust a few times but im hoping its the radiator the car only has 88,XXX miles on it. the last few nights i have been driving around have not seen and smoke. could there be a way where the coolant could come through the exhaust even if the radiator is crap?
I was with one night. The car smoked out a parking lot at idle sitting still. The white smoke appeared to be coming out of the tail pipe/rear of the car. The night this happened the car was very low on coolant. I will talk to you tonight about a way to see if your coolant resivor is leaking tonight. I would get your coolant system pressure tested, and from there a compression test. Bring it to Subaru or Tintmasters.
