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HoneyBerry
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car problem - need some advice
I was cleaning my car today. Normally I don't open the hood, but I did today, to clean the leaves from the air conditioner. While I was doing that, I noticed that the coolant cap was off. I looked closer and the coolant level is at the LOW mark. I take my car in for regular servicing and so I think they were getting ready to but then forgot to add coolant the last time I was there. I need to go to work in the morning, and the place that services my car is closed. The owner's manual says to use the genuine Subaru coolant, not just any coolant. I don't have any Subaru coolant handy. I do have some unused coolant in the garage - it's from the auto supply store and is not the Subaru brand. It's old, like really old, at least 10 years old. Does coolant expire or is it still good after all that time? What should I do? Should I add the non-Subaru coolant? Or should I wait and call the service dept tomorrow morning? Would adding plain water get me by? The check engine light has not come on yet. I am lucky that I noticed it, just in the nick of time. I don't know much about cars, so it doesn't take much to stump me.
If your car wasn't running hot before you found the cap being off, I'd just add a bit of water to bring it back to top level, put the cap back on it and then take care of it.
As for using ONLY Subaru coolant, I think that is a load of horse hockey. I'd be more worried about using the correct transmission fluid if an automatic, or correct brake fluid since not all brake fluids are the same, but something like coolant is pretty generic, like motor oil as long as the same viscosity.
As for using ONLY Subaru coolant, I think that is a load of horse hockey. I'd be more worried about using the correct transmission fluid if an automatic, or correct brake fluid since not all brake fluids are the same, but something like coolant is pretty generic, like motor oil as long as the same viscosity.
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HoneyBerry
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That's what I was thinking, but there is so mich that I don't know when it comes to cars, and things have changed over the years. I was thinking about adding water, but then I thought what if your not supposed to use water at all, just coolant only. Well, I'm going to fill it to the full line with water. And then call them tomorrow and see if they will flush it free of charge, since whoever worked on it last let me down. I'm going to check the air filter and if it's full of durt, they are going to have some explaining to do. Affer all, I paid good money for the service work.
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HoneyBerry
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I overfilled it. I used the hose. It figures. It didn't take much water to overfill the reservoir. I removed some of the water-coolant so it's right at the full line now. At least my car will get me to work in the morning. Thank you for your advice. It worked out perfectly. I haven't checked the air filter yet. I'll do that tomorrow. I'm trying hard to not let this get tk me. It is a small thing. But it affects my confidence. How do I know that the work is done right?
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HoneyBerry
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Allyn
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Well, it isn't necessarily horsehockey that you have to use only a specific coolant. There are coolants specifically formulated for use in certain engines due to the metals and alloys used on engine parts and using any old coolant could not only negate the cooling efficiency of the system, it could actually case irreparable damage to your cooling system. By saying "use only certified Subaru coolant" they are relieving you of the task of hunting down an after-market coolant that has just exactly the right formula for your engine. Yes, you can use other coolants, but not any old coolant. It has to be a specific formula made with specific compounds and it is big no-no to mix coolants. Modern engines are a lot more complicated than they used to be.
Look in your owner's manual for how to fill the reservoir. It'll tell you if the car has to be running or not running. Not all cars are the same. If you overfilled it, there is probably an overflow to spit out the extra coolant. Just don't be upset if after you drive it, you come out to find a puddle of coolant under the car. It might be overflow.
Look in your owner's manual for how to fill the reservoir. It'll tell you if the car has to be running or not running. Not all cars are the same. If you overfilled it, there is probably an overflow to spit out the extra coolant. Just don't be upset if after you drive it, you come out to find a puddle of coolant under the car. It might be overflow.
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HoneyBerry
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All is good now. I will take it in and have it flushed sometime soon, but it's spring-summer so I have plenty of time.
Something else I discovered while washing my car is that whoever attached the license plates used clunky old wood screws that are not designed for a car and are way too long --- hey, this is a new car! --- and it's been a few years so the screws are super rusty by now. They look just like the screws on my old yard gate hinges. So I replaced the rusty old screws with some temporary screws that are still not the right kind of screws, but at least they are not rusty. I am going to pick up some stainless steel license plate screws soon. My plates are rusty where the old screws touched it. It's not much. I guess I'll have to live with that.
Something else I discovered while washing my car is that whoever attached the license plates used clunky old wood screws that are not designed for a car and are way too long --- hey, this is a new car! --- and it's been a few years so the screws are super rusty by now. They look just like the screws on my old yard gate hinges. So I replaced the rusty old screws with some temporary screws that are still not the right kind of screws, but at least they are not rusty. I am going to pick up some stainless steel license plate screws soon. My plates are rusty where the old screws touched it. It's not much. I guess I'll have to live with that.
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HoneyBerry
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Hondas are nice cars. I used to have a Civic. I don't have time to wash my car as often as I would like, so I had a coating put over the paint called Seal-A-Jet. It protects the paint. I like my Subaru but I feel protective of it. I don't like the way the young guys drool over it. I want something that is reliable and I don't care about what it looks like, but if it doesn't lok nice, it's probably not reliable.
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Gary350
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My son is a certified auto mechanic with all 8 certifications. He has worked for several dealers and gotten so mad at how they cheat customers, do damage to vehicles so customers return for more repair he has quit his 4th job and has no plans to do anymore auto mechanic work for anyone. He hates all the dishonest places if you work there and refuse to be part of the dishonesty you get punished or fired. It is all about making money they don't give a damn about the customer. My sons last job boss told him, we don't have anymore work for you take your tool box and go home.
I took my vehicle to get the oil changed, they wanted me to do a transmission flush and brake line flush this is a waste of time and $$$ if they do it but often you get charged for the work and they never do. I said no, so my car set in the parking lot for an hour next they wanted to do 3 other needless things to make money. I said no again, my car set for another hour in the parking lot. Next they wanted to do 2 other things to make money it pissed me off I made a big loud seen wanted my vehicle RIGHT NOW. The vehicle set for 15 minutes I was MAD I took the extra key out of my pocket want went to get my vehicle. They tried to stop me I told them to get the hell out of my face. I drove the car out they were running after me. I stopped and told them, if you want to get paid you have 1 minute to bring me the bill or I am leaving. 2 hours and 20 minutes of wasting my time trying to get me to spend more money pissed me off big time. The bill came and it had extra fees I told the guy the price he quoted does not match the bill, I handed him the correct money and told him take it or leave it. He took the money now I have been running ADs on Craigslist every day since November telling people to stay away for that place.
You can not trust anyone these days. I took my vehicle to another place called Marty's automotive to get new spark plugs and wires. They quoted me a price but the bill had a $200 diagnostic fee. I complained about the fee the owner said we always do a diagnostic on all vehicles. I walked out and asked the mechanic that did the work, he said he did no diagnostic why would I need to do that just to change spark plugs and wires. So the owner claimed he made a mistake and took $200 fee off the bill.
My son use to work 12 hours every day 6 days a week he never wanted to work on my vehicle on his day off. I can understand that. Now he is not working so he put new brakes and shocks on my vehicle. He is getting a few jobs to do at home, brakes are his favorite.
I took my vehicle to get the oil changed, they wanted me to do a transmission flush and brake line flush this is a waste of time and $$$ if they do it but often you get charged for the work and they never do. I said no, so my car set in the parking lot for an hour next they wanted to do 3 other needless things to make money. I said no again, my car set for another hour in the parking lot. Next they wanted to do 2 other things to make money it pissed me off I made a big loud seen wanted my vehicle RIGHT NOW. The vehicle set for 15 minutes I was MAD I took the extra key out of my pocket want went to get my vehicle. They tried to stop me I told them to get the hell out of my face. I drove the car out they were running after me. I stopped and told them, if you want to get paid you have 1 minute to bring me the bill or I am leaving. 2 hours and 20 minutes of wasting my time trying to get me to spend more money pissed me off big time. The bill came and it had extra fees I told the guy the price he quoted does not match the bill, I handed him the correct money and told him take it or leave it. He took the money now I have been running ADs on Craigslist every day since November telling people to stay away for that place.
You can not trust anyone these days. I took my vehicle to another place called Marty's automotive to get new spark plugs and wires. They quoted me a price but the bill had a $200 diagnostic fee. I complained about the fee the owner said we always do a diagnostic on all vehicles. I walked out and asked the mechanic that did the work, he said he did no diagnostic why would I need to do that just to change spark plugs and wires. So the owner claimed he made a mistake and took $200 fee off the bill.
My son use to work 12 hours every day 6 days a week he never wanted to work on my vehicle on his day off. I can understand that. Now he is not working so he put new brakes and shocks on my vehicle. He is getting a few jobs to do at home, brakes are his favorite.
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HoneyBerry
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That's too bad. I guess it helps to ask for the old parts but I usually don't remember to do that. One can't really ask for the old oil and fluids. That would be too messy and a hassle to recycle. I can't do the work on my car so I'm stuck with having to take it in. I just hope that I'm not getting ripped off, but I probably am.
I used to have a little Mazda truck and I took it to a little shop that seemed like a good reputable place at the time. The tire place down the street recommended it. The shop was busted and shut down a few years ago for running a meth lab and selling drugs. It was the owner's son doing the drug business behind his father's back. The shop owner lost his business because he was betrayed by his own son. Isn't that a shame? What a way to retire. I think it was a reputable place until the son got involved.
I used to have a little Mazda truck and I took it to a little shop that seemed like a good reputable place at the time. The tire place down the street recommended it. The shop was busted and shut down a few years ago for running a meth lab and selling drugs. It was the owner's son doing the drug business behind his father's back. The shop owner lost his business because he was betrayed by his own son. Isn't that a shame? What a way to retire. I think it was a reputable place until the son got involved.
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ButterflyLady29
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My hubby won't take a car to the dealer or even a JiffyLube place for an oil change. He found out they suck the oil out through the dip stick tube because it's faster and they don't risk forgetting to put the drain plug back in. The problem is that oil gets gunky (yeah, not a technical term) from all the deposits in it. Those deposits are heavier than the oil and tend to sit on the bottom, right near the drain plug. (it was designed that way for a reason) So they never get the heaviest gunk out of the oil pan.
Anyone who needs to have a diagnostic run on an engine should check at some of the auto parts stores. We have several here that will run an engine diagnosis for free. It's not always 100% accurate but it is as accurate as the auto shop or dealer.
Anyone who needs to have a diagnostic run on an engine should check at some of the auto parts stores. We have several here that will run an engine diagnosis for free. It's not always 100% accurate but it is as accurate as the auto shop or dealer.
ButterflyLady29 wrote:My hubby won't take a car to the dealer or even a JiffyLube place for an oil change. He found out they suck the oil out through the dip stick tube because it's faster and they don't risk forgetting to put the drain plug back in. The problem is that oil gets gunky (yeah, not a technical term) from all the deposits in it. Those deposits are heavier than the oil and tend to sit on the bottom, right near the drain plug. (it was designed that way for a reason) So they never get the heaviest gunk out of the oil pan.
Anyone who needs to have a diagnostic run on an engine should check at some of the auto parts stores. We have several here that will run an engine diagnosis for free. It's not always 100% accurate but it is as accurate as the auto shop or dealer.
I'm on your husbands side. I do all my own maintenance work and tune ups because I know it will be done right. Now, with newer cars and all the electronic stuff and high tech gadgets on engines, I have a guy I trust to look at it when needed and I know he will give me a fair shake on the repairs if it warrants repair.
So many things have changed in the automotive industry and the way engines now work that the old time "shade tree mechanic" is becoming a thing of the past. Damn shame too, if you pardon my French.
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Allyn
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That's partially true. Some auto parts stores have the diagnostic tool with which they can pull the fault codes for you. It's not really having a diagnostic run. It's just telling you what the last few -- maybe the last 5 -- codes that caused the Check Engine light to come on or whatever abnormality was logged. The onboard computer in your car monitors its systems and throws a code when it detects an abnormality. The code might indicate the cause of the problem or the code might indicate a secondary symptom that the initial problem is causing. It, itself, isn't a diagnostic, but the mechanic will use those codes as a starting point.ButterflyLady29 wrote:...Anyone who needs to have a diagnostic run on an engine should check at some of the auto parts stores. We have several here that will run an engine diagnosis for free. It's not always 100% accurate but it is as accurate as the auto shop or dealer.
In many cars, you don't need the tool to pull your codes. You can do what is called a "key dance" which is a certain sequence of turns of the ignition key and the codes will flash up on the dashboard. The key dance on my 2004 PT Cruiser, for example, is to turn the ignition switch from the "Off" position to the "On" position (not start but the "On" position) , then "Off", "On", "Off", "On" leaving the key in that last "On" position all within like 5 seconds and then the last 5 codes flash in sequence on the digital odometer display. Some cars don't have a key dance, and those that do might have a different 'dance,' but if your car does have a key dance, it's a quick and dirty way to get your codes.
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HoneyBerry
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I didn't know these things. It's good to be armed with knowledge. That way there is less chance of being ripped off.
I have had good experiences at the tire place. So far, they have fixed 3 flat tires for me and haven't charged me anything for fixing them. They said that hopefully someday I will buy some tires from them. I guess this is how it is for everyone. They get alot of business this way. Their tires are expensive, but they come with a 'fix-flat-tires-for-free' guarantee.
I have had good experiences at the tire place. So far, they have fixed 3 flat tires for me and haven't charged me anything for fixing them. They said that hopefully someday I will buy some tires from them. I guess this is how it is for everyone. They get alot of business this way. Their tires are expensive, but they come with a 'fix-flat-tires-for-free' guarantee.
Well, I guess I am lucky, brother and dad were mechanics. My brother died last year but the shop is now owned by my sister and the bill has the price of the parts listed separately from the labor. I usually expect labor to be as much or more than the price of the parts. But the shop usually fixes minor things for me without charge.
As a reply to the original post; if you just add water you will need to drain and add a coolant mix back in. The coolant does more than keep the engine from freezing it lubricates and prevents corrosion, the right mix of coolant and water is essential. Also coolant is basically all the same some have extra ingredients in them that is all. If there is something added or omitted in Subaru coolant I can not say but I do not think so.
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Allyn
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It's the additives in the coolants that makes them specialized. Coolants are not interchangeable anymore.tomf wrote:.... Also coolant is basically all the same some have extra ingredients in them that is all. If there is something added or omitted in Subaru coolant I can not say but I do not think so.
Here are two articles that might be helpful in explaining the differences:
Understanding Coolants
Choosing the Right Coolant
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HoneyBerry
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I was going to wait until fall, but I changed my mind after reading this. I'm going to take my car in tomorrow and have them fix things up, replace the coolant. I am also going to ask them to replace the rusty license plate screws. I think they should do it all free of charge. We'll see what happens.
Thank you for the advice.
Thank you for the advice.
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ButterflyLady29
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I did not know that. I've never had either done. Hubby has the same reader as the mechanics. Even the mechanic reader is just the beginning of the diagnosis. And not every fault affects the functionality of the engine. Hubby has fixed a few serious issues for people who have had their car at the dealer and spend several hundred $$$ only to have the same recurring problem.Allyn wrote:
That's partially true. Some auto parts stores have the diagnostic tool with which they can pull the fault codes for you. It's not really having a diagnostic run. It's just telling you what the last few -- maybe the last 5 -- codes that caused the Check Engine light to come on or whatever abnormality was logged. The onboard computer in your car monitors its systems and throws a code when it detects an abnormality. The code might indicate the cause of the problem or the code might indicate a secondary symptom that the initial problem is causing. It, itself, isn't a diagnostic, but the mechanic will use those codes as a starting point.
We once had a van that had the "check engine" light on while throwing different codes every time it was cleared. It ran fine so we ignored it after tossing a couple hundred down the hole. Light stayed on for several years and over 50,000 miles. I quit driving it right around 248,000 miles when it took 35 gallons of gas to go from Dayton to Columbus. The body was rusted real bad anyway and it had holes in the floor.