Ruby - the red Subaru - has been having difficulties lately. Leaking radiator fluid, slowly but surely, running low on coolant after a few days. Deb noticed it was steaming by the time she got to the school the other night for band practice, so since it was dark outside, we just poured more coolant in and called it good.
Today I came home for lunch to meet her as she was getting ready to head off to her college class and took a look at the situation. Ran the engine for awhile but didn't see anything ... until just before she had to go. Bit of a leak on the passenger side. Suddenly. Where'd that come from?
Met her at the bus stop when she got back from school and followed her home. Sure enough, it was steaming by the time she got home. Most all the fluid had leaked out. Filled it up with water and didn't even have to start it up before it was leaking into the tub I'd put under the engine. Pretty steady now. Not sure what happened, but suspect the radiator was weakened before and running it close to empty caused extra pressure from the steam and blew out the weak spot.
Time for a new radiator. Nice thing about the NAPA near work is I can go on the web and reserve the part (which they have) and then pick it up at lunchtime.
Unfortunately, I won't have time to actually install it tomorrow, as we have a game and I'll be running straight from work to the school to get the equipment set up.
Today I came home for lunch to meet her as she was getting ready to head off to her college class and took a look at the situation. Ran the engine for awhile but didn't see anything ... until just before she had to go. Bit of a leak on the passenger side. Suddenly. Where'd that come from?
Met her at the bus stop when she got back from school and followed her home. Sure enough, it was steaming by the time she got home. Most all the fluid had leaked out. Filled it up with water and didn't even have to start it up before it was leaking into the tub I'd put under the engine. Pretty steady now. Not sure what happened, but suspect the radiator was weakened before and running it close to empty caused extra pressure from the steam and blew out the weak spot.
Time for a new radiator. Nice thing about the NAPA near work is I can go on the web and reserve the part (which they have) and then pick it up at lunchtime.
Unfortunately, I won't have time to actually install it tomorrow, as we have a game and I'll be running straight from work to the school to get the equipment set up.
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