white crystal deposits on the expansion tank inlet hose?

[Monkey]

Hi all, looking for some advice

My parents are looking at buying a Liberty H6 spec B today, but I'm concerned about white crystal deposits on the expansion tank inlet hose. The car has a full service history (last service within 6 months) and last week had both a RWC and RACV pre-purchase inspection done - yet I was the only one who picked up on this - nothing in any reports.

Unfortunately I didn't get a pic of the expansion tank, but here's mine with annotations showing where it has these deposits.

exp_tank3.jpg (72.46 KiB) Viewed 2008 times

I did however get 2 pics of the inside of the tank which shows white/green crystals, and the contents looks quite dark.

exp_tank.jpg (87.01 KiB) Viewed 2008 times

exp_tank2.jpg (61.87 KiB) Viewed 2008 times

I know H6 engines aren't as prone as the 4 cylinders to HG failure, but this is still a concern. I assume the crystals are the result of incompatible and/or mixing coolant, coupled with overheating. The dark coloured coolant may be the result of a deteriorating inlet hose lining as I experienced the same and rectified with a hose replacement & full flush. There was no indication of overheating on a test drive however (temp was 30c+ at the time, 3 in the car & A/C on)

Any advice would be appreciated.

[zch91]

Have seen it on a few subis now, including mine when I first got it. No idea what would cause it though!

[Monkey]

Cheers, so did you change the hose, flush coolant, and no further issues?

[zch91]

To be honest, I just wiped it off and haven't seen it again.. This was 25,000kms ago

[Brunsy3.0]

I just wiped it off and haven't seen it again

+1

[BUDDAH]

Its crack !

[Monkey]

Thanks all

[sti_stig]

factory option... extra 10kw.

[UniqueRS]

The glycol coolant (standard subaru) seeps through the rubber over time, just about any car with glycol will do it, even through silicon hoses.