I have a my97 WRX and I've noticed a leaking in my passenger foot well (see pics). The fluid is greenish and smells like coolant, so I'm pretty sure it's coolant.

Has this happened to anyone before? Any common causes of this?

Any help is much appreciated.


As image IMG_1053.jpg shows - I've removed the inter cooler and looking at those two hoses, I'm pretty sure they are the heater hoses. The yellow line is the new hose I'll put in to bypass the heater. Does this make sense? Thoughts?

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Heater core.

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What TJ said. Without a doubt.

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[COLOR=Black]Liberty GT Spec B tuned 240 HP & 372 Nm at the hubs.[/COLOR] "Instead of banning high performance cars - ban low performance drivers"

Now summer so you can bypass the heater core by joining the two hoses that go through your firewall, very easy fix but not nice in winter and HUGE job to fix (dash off)

Did you notice a running water or "waterfall" noise before the coolant showed up?

Its coolant.

You've got a collapsed heater core.
Problem is, it's a dash-out job to get to it.


I would bypass those hoses asap.

No can't say I did hear any running water/waterfall noise before the coolant showed up.

Yea I was worried that it would require the whole dash out to get to sort it out properly. Bypassing those hoses sounds like the best way for now.

Is the car still OK to drive around?

As long as you bypass and bleed the system, yes.

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& if you don't do this^^^ its likely you'll overheat it & damage your head gasket

When last at Stechnic a heater core is around $500-$600 to purchase PLUS fitting (which take long time).

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[COLOR=Black]Liberty GT Spec B tuned 240 HP & 372 Nm at the hubs.[/COLOR] "Instead of banning high performance cars - ban low performance drivers"

Bypass the heater and top up the coolant. Be sure to use the same coolant as what is already in your system as different brands etc can react with one another.

I have done a few heater core replacements and dash swaps on gc8s so if you need any tips or advice send me a pm.