Coolant slight bubbling

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Coolant slight bubbling

Postby et2428 » Mon May 01, 2017 8:14 pm

Hi,

Just got the radiator changed and bled, however I was told that there was still a slight bubbling whilst the car is running in the bleeding funnel. Is this definitely a head gasket issue?

I have never seen over heating and I changed radiator due to a crack in the OEM plastic. Car also had a rocker cover leak, no smoke from exhaust (Except slight puffs of black under boost).

I've been told it could be a water pump cavitation, but wanted to hear your opinions, has anyone else had that? 145000km

Thanks in advance.
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Re: Coolant slight bubbling

Postby norbs » Mon May 01, 2017 10:54 pm

Unless excessive I say normal.
'05 Lib GT with a few mods :-)
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Re: Coolant slight bubbling

Postby Surge » Tue May 02, 2017 6:30 am

Normal because every subaru has a slight headgasket leak :lol:

I'd start planning for when it eventually gets worse.
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Re: Coolant slight bubbling

Postby et2428 » Tue May 02, 2017 5:49 pm

Slight head gasket leak? I thought they either blew or werent blown, did not know there was an intermittent point. Should I be super worried at this point or just start researching?
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Re: Coolant slight bubbling

Postby Surge » Tue May 02, 2017 7:07 pm

A headgasket is like any gasket, eventually they can leak.
Yours is leaking and so allowing a small amount of combustion gasses into the coolant.

You can buy a test for the coolant to check for the presence of combustion gasses.

When it's "blown", it just means the leak is so bad it's really obvious that there is an issue.


I wouldnt be super worried.

But one day you might find on a long drive the bubbles build up and stop venting through the radiator cap.

Then the old plastic on the top of the radiator blows, leaving you on the side of the road.

Wait that probably already happened and that's maybe why you have had the radiator replaced ?

Now would be a good time to get roadside assistance, just in case.

If you keep an eye on the coolant levels. Youd probably drive like this for many months without anything going too badly.
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Re: Coolant slight bubbling

Postby et2428 » Thu May 04, 2017 4:23 pm

Hi Surge,

I found the radiator crack just as it was seeping so luckily I was not on the road at the time, I dont think it would of warped heads or anything as it did not over heat, I am surprised when you say it should last a few months though? I thought from this point on wards it would just fail any day now?

I only ask so many questions as I am either contemplating a full rebuild or driving it till it starts to over heat then get a full rebuild.
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Re: Coolant slight bubbling

Postby Lane » Fri May 05, 2017 8:23 am

Who bled it and how?

May still be hidden air trapped within system escaping.

I would continue to monitor after a few heat cycles.
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Re: Coolant slight bubbling

Postby et2428 » Fri May 05, 2017 1:38 pm

just had a pressure test and chem test, came back negative to HG, perhaps cavitating water pump is the issue then, going to just drive and monitor the situation.
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