The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

I routinely check all fluids in our 2021 Outback at the end of each month, and when I did that this morning I noticed for the first time that the level of fluid in the cooling system expansion tank was low.

So after removing the radiator cap I noticed that it was full to the top of the neck with GREEN coloured coolant.

Subaru specifies BLUE coloured coolant additive, and as our Outback was purchased new, and hasn't been maintained or serviced by anyone other than those people at our Dealership's Service Centre, I suspect that the incorrect coolant additive was used either ex-factory in Japan, or at pre-delivery when it came off the boat.

I've informed our Dealership Service Centre, who wants to inspect the vehicle next week, but still, I can't help but wonder what if any consequences have already, or will in future arise from this error by Subaru?

Any insights will be greatly appreciated.

I'd take photo's of the green fluid in the radiator, and photo's of all the signed & stamped Service pages, that way your have evidence.

Where did you get the info about the blue coolant?

I thought this coolant came into use in the Gen4 or Gen5 Subarus. AFAIK the Gen3 still used the green coolant from factory.

Coolant is coolant so long as it meets the needs of where you live and what metals are in your cooling system. Eg aluminium vs aluminium with copper brass components.

The coolant colour won’t be why your over flow bottle seems a bit low. Some of the over flow may have evaporated off from heat, or you have a small leak in the cooling system. Or worst case scenario you have the dodgy factory head gaskets and they’ve started leaking coolant externally, although that seems like a speedy drop in coolant level when this happens. Easy to visually inspect for. Look for a coral/fungi like thing around the head gaskets. That’s the leak.

Swap for MLS head gaskets as used in the WRXs and STIs. Do not use the factory part number for replacement head gaskets otherwise it will happen again. I found out the hard way years ago.

Cheers

Bennie