Thermostat Seal Leak on RS 03 Imprezza
 

Hi i had my car serviced tuesday and they have noted that i have a problem with the thermostat seal causing a leak. However i have never seen any coolant on the ground or engine bay? and have monitored my coolant on a weekly basis so I decided to leave this and not get it fixed.

Does anyone know if this crystallises? Just wondering by me leaving this will it have a costly $$ effect in the next few months if i dont get it fixed?

Can anyone do a second opinion test on my car for a free inspection?

How much approx would someone charge for me to fix it?

I purchased 2 seals last week and was provided a light brown seal ( made from FPM ) Brown.

The old seal I think was made from EPDM ( black ) and this was / has been an issue for subaru hence the change to FPM ( Vition )

The FPM seal looks to be out of the same mould as the EPDM each measure the same.

i got a leak issue too, just came back from the shops about 50m up the road, noticed on the way back that the temp shot up to max. coolant was empty but also have a leak somewhere that i cant find.. not sure if it's a thermostat thing or a busted pipe, loose hose etc..

anyone wanna come by joondalup to have a look? ;)

dont wanna make another thread --- sorry for the hijack.

The thermostat seal is not a comon cause of leaks in that area on a 2.5 RS Impreza. Headgaskets leak coolant externally on them and sometimes run down to the thermostat area, also the waterpump has a bypass hole near the thermostat that lets water out if the internal seal fails. Coolant will not drip on the ground unless the leak is major or unless the undertray has been left off at some stage. keep monitoring the level and get it rectified next time the coolant is due for change or if it gets any worse would be my advice.

I have always used the brown seals never used a black on although many other cars thermostat seals are black. I'd get it check and fixed asap not worth the risk of overheating it. I sent you a msg reconus