Went to get an oil filter today to do maintenance and smelled coolant after getting out of the parts store. Turns out the top of my expansion tank is leaking at the filler neck. In need of one that doesn't leak ASAP. Doesn't need to look pretty, just needs to work. For a 2004 WRX, I believe I can use one from 2002-2004. Reply here, or PM. It all notifies me on my phone. I'm located in Andover but willing to drive to get this today or tomorrow as I can't have downtime for repairs during the week.
Do you think JB Weld would hold until you get the expansion tank replaced? The coolant system's not that highly pressurized...
I figured that if I do go the route of repairing the tank, I'll just get some brazing rod and clean it and then braze the seam that it's leaking at. On the same concept it would be faster to just change out the current tank with one that doesn't leak, then repair the leaky tank and have a spare.
Yeah, I was just thinking of alternatives in case you couldn't track one down soon enough, and if you're comfortable brazing that's the way to go - lots of folks aren't necessarily, that's why I mentioned JB Weld! Good luck. @phi11 seems to have lots of parts, maybe he has one?
I was also going to bug you to see what a new one costs from subaru. I've seen online prices around $80 which isn't horrible, but about twice what I want to spend, especially when brazing rods are cheap and I have mapp gas which can get just warm enough to sod the job. Thanks for paging @phi11 for me
Thanks for getting back to me. It's okay though because I'm attempting to braze the holes now. I am going to however keep an eye out for another one just in case.
Found the crack! It was along the inside of the cap neck, bad spot. The rust was pushing up on it allowing the crack to form after repeated heating/cooling cycles. Brazing failed and I actually burned a hole through the neck still need that part ASAP if anyone has one.
Looks like I'm going with the newer composite replacement tank from Morries Minnetonka Subaru. It'll be here Wednesday which is ok since I've been having the wife drive me around like Miss Daisy I'd still be interested in picking up a spare steel/aluminum one to practice welding on it and maybe a pretty project though.
