I’m a little late to comments but I do work a Subaru dealer (8 years in the parts dept) and I will tell you that anytime we have to replace the coolant we still use those conditioners (right up to 2020 model years. It’s right there in the bulletins/service manuals. More info on the conditioner can be found in the MSDS. The main component of the stuff is phosphorous which also gives it the reddish color. That helps combat electrolysis in the long term, besides some “stop leak” ingredients. Just an extra FYI. Cheers.
I applied this conditioner when I did a full flush on my 2013 wrx, I forgot to shake it up and poured half of it in, when I saw two globs come out I stopped pouring it. I was able to suck a glob out but not the other. I’ll be fine right? I shook the rest of the bottle and poured the rest in with no globs.
@@yieuh6596 I would imagine it would get broken up naturally from the circulation of the coolant especially from the water pump impeller blades and the heat from normal operating temperature would help dissolve it.
I do all my own repairs on my 2008 Subaru Impreza wrx 2.5L turbo..and o just wanted to say thank you for the videos you provide to the Subaru community it’s helped me greatly in expanding my knowledge.
From my personal experience with an EJ255 that cracked a top radiator tank and dumped most of the coolant on the Highway, this stuff is magic. Because my instrument cluster is red on black and it was a bright sunny day I did not see the temp gauge rise. It was not until the air-con started blowing hot instead of cold that I realised I had a problem. And because it was on a 4 lane highway , I had to drive for another 10 minutes before I could pull over. I opened the engine bay , and there was coolant everywhere. Got it transported to my local service centre. Three days later I got the call to pick it up. I live in a regional area in Australia so 3 days is pretty good. The mechanic said to keep and eye on the coolant level , as it could have internal damage. The Forester was running OK, but was consuming a fair bit of coolant. I remembered seeing this video , so I bought the full size bottle of Holts Radweld, ,sucked out 250ml of coolant and poured in the Radweld. That was 2019 and it has not consumed any coolant since.
I searched up the Cooling System Conditioner as I’m about to do a coolant exchange on my 2006 Legacy spec.B and saw that Alldata and my owners manual both said to use the Conditioner. As soon as I saw a video from you I knew I was going to get all the answers I needed. Thank you so much for time and time again helping me learn more every video 🙏
My 1999 Outback had a blown head gasket and it cost $3000 to be repaired and was never the same again, I gave it to a junk yard when it would only go 40 mph on the freeway. The service department GAVE me several bottles of that to help me before I had the repairs done. Obviously, it didn’t work. I have had 6 Subaru’s over 22 years and that was a bad apple 🍏 but overall I love and continue to roll with Subaru’s in retirement. 02 LL BEAN OUTBACK 08 Tribeca LTD, 08 LL BEAN FORESTER current lineup.
I had success in dramtically slowing a coolant leak. I used Subaru Cooling Conditioner in my 2006 Outback. Had a coolant leak that testing showed was due to a head gasket leak. Added 2 bottles and after about 2 weeks the rate of leaking was significantly slowed. I went from adding coolant every 2-3 days to not having to add coolant for about 3 weeks.
My Mom's non turbo 2011 Impreza hatch owners manual says change coolant at 220,000 kilometers (136,000 miles) or 11 years. Im doing it now at 9 years and 46,000 miles. It's her most favorite car ever, over porsche/bmw/jag even her new BRZ.
Love your channel. Pretty much every tech at our dealer watches you. Don't know if you knew this, but in the beginning the bottle didn't say HOLTS at the bottom. They didn't want people to know exactly what it was. I remember when they first put it out. We came up with different theories from...neutralizing minerals and deposits in tap water that would eat the metal head gaskets to straight up stop leak. You are right though, it never really worked. Oh, FYI, I used to stick them in a cheap little paint shaker to break up that "ginger root" solidified crap. You could shake those damned things til your arm fell off and there would still be chunks. Had that crap clog bobble valve on the thermostats before too.
I used this stuff at 130k miles a year ago and haven't had any problems with clogging or headgaskets on my 2011 Forester. The manual still recommends to use this conditioner. I noticed it actually prevented a leak on my old cracked radiator so I'm replacing that this weekend and adding this stuff again with new water pump and thermostat (did not replace it last time) now at 155k miles
I don’t like to do my own repairs; my financial situation forces me to do my own repairs lol 😂😂 Thanks for the great videos! You’ve helped me out a lot!
I have a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Lerado 4.0l which developed a heater core leak situation and was advised by a local mechanic to try using the Subaru coolant conditioner in an effort to avoid a $500 heated core replacement. I purchased the coolant conditioner and installed it as per directions obtained on TH-cam videos. I seemed to have a rather bad leak in the heater core which kept leaking out in my driveway requiring additional coolant added to the system every 2 or three days. I did the initial warmup and 20 to 30 minute drive around town and came home to find the system was still leaking. Day two went thru the same drive process and came home and parked and the system was just slightly leaking. Day three went out for a highway test drive for 2 hours and came home to find no leak at all. Checked my reservoir and it was still full. I have now been driving my Jeep for over a year and no more leaks no more coolant added to the system. $9 for two bottles of the conditioner verses $500 heated core replacement. NOT A BAD TRADE OFF IN MY BOOK.!
Ali Toroganan Try www.japperformanceparts.co.uk These guys are local to me and have done work on my bugeye. They import cars from Japan and sell them and also strip them down and sell the parts. I’ve checked for you and they will ship worldwide. Let me know if this helps you out.
I'm always skeptical of anything with the word "conditioner" for vehicles. It just immediately makes me think it's going to make my metal and plastic bits soft, pliable, and voluminous.
I had it put in when I got the letter. No issues. Just had to replace the radiator due to the plastic cracking. I took the plastic off and at 19 years the radiator inside looked like new. Not a spec of corrosion. And no leaks. Now I will after saying that.
you engage in logical fallacy. I also know people who never changed their coolant in 150,000 miles and change their oil every 30,000 miles instead of 5-10,000 miles. the issue is increased risk of not doing recommended service -- not total failure of every engine where it is not done
Very informative video, especially the comparison vs holts. FA20's also have the conditioner listed in the service manual, but doesn't specifically call out it's necessary. But I think we know what Subaru is thinking ;) SOA345001, which I believe is just a pack of 12. Subaru: Quality Driven Service Also Subaru: Let's try to add stop leak so coolant systems can be band-aided together until they're outside of the 60k warranty period.
Subaru should've just switched to mls turbo ej gaskets and their reputation wouldnt be so tarnished, but i guess it was "better" to just get half solutions.
highvoltagefeathers, don’t know if your asking a question or making a statement, but yes, I worked at a Subaru dealership and it was just Subaru’s that I have used this product on.
@@NYPATRIOTBX What do you recommend given that some of the reviews on Amazon claim that use of this product gummed up their cooling system and resulted in a gunked up radiator? At issue is that even though this coolant conditioner isn't incorporated into the official maintenance schedule, it is apparently a requirement in the 2016s and even newer model years as well as the ones that were made in the early-mid 2000s. So if I'm gauging this right, basically ANY Subaru vehicle that's still on the road or has been sold in recent years is going to need this product at some point. I'm at a loss to explain why SOA wouldn't just throw it into the maintenance schedule so that there could be no doubt that the conditioner, if not regular HG inspection from ~80K forward, is required. (On the 2016 Outback this "required conditioner" is saved for a fine-print footnote!)
News View , To be honest what we found when we were replacing head gaskets is that the torque procedure was one of the main problems, the service manual required the outer head bolts to be tighter than the center bolts in the head. When we torqued all of the head bolts to the same spec we rarely ever saw a comeback. And to be honest that stuff is made primarily to coagulate any potential leaks in a head gasket and as a side effect it will gather up in a radiator like a blood clot. I would avoid using it and stick to draining and refilling the coolant at its recommended interval. If you do have to replace your head gaskets, make sure you use new bolts and torque all of the bolts evenly.
I may or may not work at a Subaru dealership, and I have yet to see a tech use this stuff. A master tech has almost two dozen unused bottles of this stuff sitting under a bench.
This is the best explanation I’ve seen on this topic. Of course so much of it is word-of-mouth there’s no real testing that I can find. In 2010 I purchased a 2004 STI and had a local Subaru tech who just returned from Japan to study STI do a full inspection. Not only did himself but the rest of the Subaru dealership told me not to use that in the EJ257 due to clogged decks . They showed me a picture of a block that had that brownish crap all up in the coolant passages of the decks. I never used it since and have flushed and drained almost 5 times since then and I’m still on the stock head gasket and my coolant is Bright Green.
I have a 2003 Subaru Legacy L wagon , I had a water pump go bad so I did a whole timing belt pulleys and tensioner ,water pump, thermostat replacement , it probably had a leaking head gasket at that time but I didn't know so after I fixed the water pump and stuff I refilled the coolant and started driving it within a couple days car was still losing coolant and getting warm , I could run the heat and keep temp in the normal range, so I figured I had a blown head gasket and was gonna cost 1500 to put gaskets and seals on it. But I heard about this Subaru coolant conditioner and so I figured I'd give it a try , I used 1 bottle and now it is not leaking any coolant and my temps are actually cooler than normal with no heat on at all I can run AC so this stuff is magic , yes I understand it's just a temporary fix for now but its awesome and it could really help someone that dont have the money to fix it or want to put that much money into a older car
Bought a 2009 Impreza hatch 2.5i last spring with 87000km. Had the dealer give it an inspection when they completed the takata airbag and brake line corrosion recall. They informed me that my driver side head gasket was starting to go. Bought some Blue Devil thinking it would prolong the necessity to do the job; big mistake, had to replace my entire cooling system minus the water pump as it clogged up the rad, thermostat and heater core. Replaced all parts in question and was stupid enough to use the Subaru coolant conditioner; it gummed up my brand new heater core. I was lucky enough that a few reverse flushes with boiling water cleared it up, but I certainly won't be using any kind of sealer again. Bottom line is if a gasket is breached, replace it!
I had a headgasket go on my EZ30D at around 174,000 miles and had it replaced and resurfaced through the Subaru dealership. I've been putting a bottle of this in the coolant ever since to be on the safe side, I guess.
Wrx and sti's or any Turbo version of these engines use multilayered steel headgaskets and do not suffer from these issues nearly as much as the naturally aspirated engines. I have 189k on a all original wrx turbo 2.5 with no external leak what so ever from the headgaskets. I am however about to try this stuff on a different car that's leaking coolant into the combusion chambers after its warmed up and shut off. Nothing to lose so we will see.
I had the head gasket leak twice. I found the problem was uneven heating of the head during operation. Determined the oil galleries on the back side were too small. Drilled them out and never had to redo it again. Engine made it to 320K before I parted with it.
@@akidim13 There was a video that covered some of the oil flow issues with that engine. It was a 1997 Subaru wagon with an EA82 block. Biggest restriction was the head gasket holes were too small and slightly misaligned. But I also drilled out the galleries an extra .030" just to be sure while I had it apart the second time.
That’s funny! I had a 2004 forester. I traded it at 14000 for a Jeep in 2005. I kept smelling coolant inside and outside. The dealer couldn’t find a leak.
Toyota has had 'stop leak' in their 'factory' radiator coolant additive for YEARS. When there's a pin-hole lead (which... their raidiator's frequently display), the 'stuff' leaks out and cristalizes (yellow-white) at the leak site... and tends to stop it. Their coolant also of course has a 'water pump lubricant' in it too. I think its a amphoteric 'buffer' solution, to keep things from going too acid. (Toyota coolant is good stuff, I use it in my Beemer). BMW stuff is good too, but not 'better' than Toyota's.
Oddly enough - this stuff is suggested in the notes for my 2025 Legacy: "to prevent cooling system leaks, always add Genuine Subaru Cooling system Conditioner whenever the coolant in replaced". Which is after 137K miles or 11 years. My plan is to use Mr. Subaru's suggestion to replace at 80K / 8 years. I'll probably forget about the conditioner by then.
This Subaru product or Bars stop leak (the powder version in a tube) both work good for external leaks. I would stay away from any of the "head gasket in a bottle" type product, they do clog stuff up. Cracked radiators, external head gasket leaks, weeping at hose connections, cracked intake manifolds, etc. All those are problems that a stop leak product can patch. There is nothing that will reliably fix a combustion chamber to coolant passage leak other than a new head gasket.
I read recently that the bars product is a replacement for the "pellets" GM Holden would add, at least for the vehicles I own (90s-2003). Never saw what the dealer product was or looked like however the only Bars stop leak I've seen in stores is a bottled liquid. I plan to use it once my new water pump, thermostat and overflow arrive. Do you know if the powder version essentially turn into the liquid form once it's poured in or does it have different properties?
@@ConceptXX It remains like a powder in solution. It looks like glitter floating. Table pepper (like the kind you put on food) is similar and can work in a pinch. I prefer the $0.99 a tube powder stop leak over anything else personally.
I have not used it in any of my 2nd gen wagons with the EJ25* after I replaced the original head gaskets with the multi-layer steel gaskets (5 of them so far). All but one had the oil leak but no compromised cylinder sealing areas, or coolant leaks. No problems here so far. I do buy the Subaru coolant.
I'm pretty confident the FA engines do not call for this, or at the very least don't need it. The problem was allegedly fully fixed in 2010 as I'm sure you know. It can't really hurt anything, but I wouldn't bother in an FA.
@@MrSubaru1387 quick question, I am about to change the coolant in my 2014 Subaru Outback FA engine 2.5 CVT transmission. Should I use Subaru Super Coolant or Subaru Long Life? Also should I use the Subaru/Holt Coolant Conditioner even if the head gaskets haven’t leaked yet? Thank you for the information and videos!!!
MrSubaru1387 thank you for the quick reply! Do you by any chance sale the Subaru Super Coolant though any of your store fronts? Thank you for the great content!
losing coolant, figured it was an external head gasket leaking, pretty bad. Tried a bottle of this stuff and well, so far, so good. seems to be working. I have 90,000 0n the 08 forester. Had the coolant changed at 30,000, I assume, they did not add this product and I was not aware Subaru recommended it on my engine. Due for another coolant change now, I'll add another bottle.
Hi, I just did a radiador flush on my 2009 Forester and found out about this conditioner, I saw you said it should be added first when doing a flush but since I didn’t know by then can I just buy it now and pour it in after the flush as been done?.
Great video, so here's a question. Getting ready to do the tbelt service and put in a fresh water pump, etc. Do you do a flush in between or just a drain and refill with this coolant conditioner in it? Or drain, run some distilled water and flush it out then refill. Can't find any information as to what is the recommend process.
I have forester 2011 FB25 engine that requires that conditioner as per service manual instructions for replacing Subaru super coolant. Dealership here in middle east does not offer it and I had to order online. The annoying part that dealership in Bahrain has no original Blue Subaru super coolant on shelf. Imagine if someone is trying to convince you that it is absolutely fine to use Volvo coolant because this is what the service department is using. I didn't service my Subi ever again there and I used Honda super coolant type two which is available here and I realized after intensive research and a lot of SDS read it is very close to Subaru.
As a relatively new WRX owner, and a longtime BMW owner, I’m surprised no one seems skeptical of the very long coolant change interval (11 years) that Subaru recommends. I’ve changed the coolant in my E36 (1990s) BMW every two years and that car is approaching 400,000 miles. How often do you enthusiast Subaru owners change your coolant? Thank you!
I guess it's every time water pump/timing belt is replaced, 100k km or if it fails. Normally I think the change interval is similar to Toyota, Honda as they use the same type of coolant.
11 years is way to long for a subsru in my opinion..I'd do mine every 3years or 36k..but that's because I've had gaskets fail in the past and I'm super anal with my subarus now
So I have a 1997 Subaru legacy gt. Its got the 2.5 in it. The manufacturing date is 10/96. 1996. So alot of parts I have to get for it is 1996. Some of the 1997 parts don't work. I believe it's a split year. Do I need to run this conditioner in the 1996, 1997 Subaru legacy 2.5 gt? I believe it is the first generation 2.5l
By chance, do you know if this conditioner is high in copper? I recently had my contaminated coolant tested by a lab. The results came back high in copper. I had forgotten that this conditioner was in the mix as well.
I know this video was posted over a year ago but do you know why the 1999 legacy outback was not included but the 2000 is when they both have, to the best of my knowledge, the ej25d motor?
Truth about pushing it out of warranty. Warranty cost them money and they are in the business of selling cars . Huge black eye on the whole reliable Subaru reputation.
Damn 2003 Subaru wrx I had and I like Subaru, but I'm sure you know in that year they were using the 160 hp transmission in the 222 hp motor. I broke 2 gear first time 13000 miles second one 3k later and was baying it then hurricane Charley came and dropped a tree on it. Thank you mother nature.
Mr. Subaru I really love your videos. I just bought at 2002 Subaru Impreza 2.5 TS Wagon with an automatic transmission with about 201,000 miles on it. I'm guessing I have the EJ251 engine that has the head gasket issues. Do you recommend me using this coolant conditioner when I change my coolant? Looking forward to working on my car because honestly I love it but sad about the head gasket issues. But I'd like to do anything I can to prevent a head gasket failure. Anything else you recommend? I plan on doing the timing belt, water pump, tensioners, pulleys, thermostat in the near future. Just changed the oil, oil filter and air filter. I'm about put on a new pcv valve I think. What all can I do to prevent a head gasket failure?? Thank you Mr. Subaru!
So for my 2017 Forester w/ the 2.5 Liter engine, I am at around 59K miles, and about to change the coolant for the first time and install the cylinder 4 cooling mod (I know I should've done this way earlier). The car has no problems for the most part; the temperature gets to the hotter side- around 210ish degrees Fahrenheit. So for me do I need this?
I have an 06 Tribeca that has low compression on #3. Did a leak down test and coolant erupted from the radiator. Decided to get a JDM motor. First one tested bad head gasket leaks between all cylinders . They sent a replacement and it’s showing 3 leaking exhaust valves. I have owned 7 Subaru’s from 70’s and 80’s years. They would al be running still but we’re either stolen or ran into. I still have an 87 that runs fine with 300k on it. Bought it for $200. But I’m not feeling the “love” after this Tribeca.
Thank you for this video. I Bought my 2006 Forester new in 2006 and have had my coolant changed 4 times. I have added this little blue bottle every time. So far so good. I only have 90 thousand miles. I guess I will keep using it at future coolant changes. Any suggestions?
So this is only anti-rust maintenance? It does not do any cleaning in cooling system? Another similar product was Holts Radiator Anti-Rust (i don't know if they sell it anymore) There was a marking "MH305" and another brand was Forte Cooling System Conditioner
Dude that looks like "bars leak". That was on the market back in 89 when I first started the trade. It worked reasonably well for the right kind of leak but not for very long. The newer ceramic stops leak products seem to do better, but again as you said, just fix it right the first time.
Hello Mr. Subar8u please help me?? Am replacing all coolant hoses in my 2013 Subie Crosstrek Limited with approx 74,000 miles. Do I HAVE to put that Subaru Cooling System Conditioner in my car?? Thank you in advance. FWIW NEVER had any leaks whatsoever anywhere.
I have a 2010 legacy 2.5l changed water pump thermostat and rad still overheating purp system with funnel kit all new coolant help !!!! Will this help !!!!!
You do realize that coolant falls back into the cylinders right? Just bought a 2000 Subaru Outback with a rebuilt short block. So are your saying that once you rebuild a EJ25D it becomes a STI with out a turbo? Not saying that I have a STI but just curious. Was thinking of STI swapping my outback this motor was rebuilt at 40,000 miles... I currently have 213,404 miles on it. I'm on the final stretch of the service work. I did a lot of it my self l. So I want to know that I am doing the right thing. I also gotta change my gear oil as well. Much better car then any VW Jetta... VW TDI's are garbage machines compared to this car- WS
I have an 11 Forester and found oil in the radiator and overflow. Is this a problem with the head gasket or something else? Is it worth to try a sealer, if it is?
Cop out. Temp, fix due to blown head gasket issues. Felpro makes a great head gasket metal 3 ply. I do use it on my 2006 sti better safe than sorry. Just developed a power steering leak on a cardone replacement psp will be getting a oem pump. Thanks for the info
@@MrSubaru1387 do you mean that you never use felpro gaskets, or thst you recommend not to use them? Great video, i felt bad dumping the yucky stuff in with fresh new coolant on our 2012, glad to hear you have not seen it cause problems.
I don't know for sure but I read a while back that 6 star makes the felpro mls headgaskets. The big difference between the 6 star and factory replacement mls is that 6 star is supposed to be made of stainless steel. Also, headgaskets that failed early on were replaced by Subaru with the same OEM non-mls that they came with from the factory. That's why they continued to recommend the use of the conditioner.
I’m a little late to comments but I do work a Subaru dealer (8 years in the parts dept) and I will tell you that anytime we have to replace the coolant we still use those conditioners (right up to 2020 model years. It’s right there in the bulletins/service manuals. More info on the conditioner can be found in the MSDS. The main component of the stuff is phosphorous which also gives it the reddish color. That helps combat electrolysis in the long term, besides some “stop leak” ingredients. Just an extra FYI. Cheers.
I applied this conditioner when I did a full flush on my 2013 wrx, I forgot to shake it up and poured half of it in, when I saw two globs come out I stopped pouring it. I was able to suck a glob out but not the other. I’ll be fine right? I shook the rest of the bottle and poured the rest in with no globs.
@@yieuh6596 I would imagine it would get broken up naturally from the circulation of the coolant especially from the water pump impeller blades and the heat from normal operating temperature would help dissolve it.
I do all my own repairs on my 2008 Subaru Impreza wrx 2.5L turbo..and o just wanted to say thank you for the videos you provide to the Subaru community it’s helped me greatly in expanding my knowledge.
From my personal experience with an EJ255 that cracked a top radiator tank and dumped most of the coolant on the Highway, this stuff is magic. Because my instrument cluster is red on black and it was a bright sunny day I did not see the temp gauge rise. It was not until the air-con started blowing hot instead of cold that I realised I had a problem. And because it was on a 4 lane highway , I had to drive for another 10 minutes before I could pull over. I opened the engine bay , and there was coolant everywhere. Got it transported to my local service centre.
Three days later I got the call to pick it up. I live in a regional area in Australia so 3 days is pretty good. The mechanic said to keep and eye on the coolant level , as it could have internal damage.
The Forester was running OK, but was consuming a fair bit of coolant. I remembered seeing this video , so I bought the full size bottle of Holts Radweld, ,sucked out 250ml of coolant and poured in the Radweld. That was 2019 and it has not consumed any coolant since.
Hoping you see this, do you happen to remember where you picked it up from? I need some, got a bit of a gasket leak
@@rory92167 Got mine from eBay. Holts Radweld 250ml.
I searched up the Cooling System Conditioner as I’m about to do a coolant exchange on my 2006 Legacy spec.B and saw that Alldata and my owners manual both said to use the Conditioner. As soon as I saw a video from you I knew I was going to get all the answers I needed. Thank you so much for time and time again helping me learn more every video 🙏
My 1999 Outback had a blown head gasket and it cost $3000 to be repaired and was never the same again, I gave it to a junk yard when it would only go 40 mph on the freeway. The service department GAVE me several bottles of that to help me before I had the repairs done. Obviously, it didn’t work. I have had 6 Subaru’s over 22 years and that was a bad apple 🍏 but overall I love and continue to roll with Subaru’s in retirement. 02 LL BEAN OUTBACK 08 Tribeca LTD, 08 LL BEAN FORESTER current lineup.
Thank you MR. Suburu for looking into this for us. Keep doing what you do man.
You're welcome. 👍🏻
I had success in dramtically slowing a coolant leak. I used Subaru Cooling Conditioner in my 2006 Outback. Had a coolant leak that testing showed was due to a head gasket leak. Added 2 bottles and after about 2 weeks the rate of leaking was significantly slowed. I went from adding coolant every 2-3 days to not having to add coolant for about 3 weeks.
My Mom's non turbo 2011 Impreza hatch owners manual says change coolant at 220,000 kilometers (136,000 miles) or 11 years. Im doing it now at 9 years and 46,000 miles. It's her most favorite car ever, over porsche/bmw/jag even her new BRZ.
Same 2020 outback in hot region +49°C
Ginger root is organic. Healthy for the engine and for the driver. I'm all for it. lol
Love your channel. Pretty much every tech at our dealer watches you. Don't know if you knew this, but in the beginning the bottle didn't say HOLTS at the bottom. They didn't want people to know exactly what it was. I remember when they first put it out. We came up with different theories from...neutralizing minerals and deposits in tap water that would eat the metal head gaskets to straight up stop leak. You are right though, it never really worked. Oh, FYI, I used to stick them in a cheap little paint shaker to break up that "ginger root" solidified crap. You could shake those damned things til your arm fell off and there would still be chunks. Had that crap clog bobble valve on the thermostats before too.
Can you make a video about Subaru Carbon Clean next. A friend of mine is using it in his '15 XT to prevent carbon buildup.
I used this stuff at 130k miles a year ago and haven't had any problems with clogging or headgaskets on my 2011 Forester. The manual still recommends to use this conditioner. I noticed it actually prevented a leak on my old cracked radiator so I'm replacing that this weekend and adding this stuff again with new water pump and thermostat (did not replace it last time) now at 155k miles
I don’t like to do my own repairs; my financial situation forces me to do my own repairs lol 😂😂 Thanks for the great videos! You’ve helped me out a lot!
I have a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Lerado 4.0l which developed a heater core leak situation and was advised by a local mechanic to try using the Subaru coolant conditioner in an effort to avoid a $500 heated core replacement. I purchased the coolant conditioner and installed it as per directions obtained on TH-cam videos. I seemed to have a rather bad leak in the heater core which kept leaking out in my driveway requiring additional coolant added to the system every 2 or three days. I did the initial warmup and 20 to 30 minute drive around town and came home to find the system was still leaking. Day two went thru the same drive process and came home and parked and the system was just slightly leaking. Day three went out for a highway test drive for 2 hours and came home to find no leak at all. Checked my reservoir and it was still full. I have now been driving my Jeep for over a year and no more leaks no more coolant added to the system. $9 for two bottles of the conditioner verses $500 heated core replacement. NOT A BAD TRADE OFF IN MY BOOK.!
I’m from the UK and can confirm this stuff definitely works on small coolant leaks.
dude any facebook groups that you know for a gc8 in uk, looking for a used link ecu
Ali Toroganan Try www.japperformanceparts.co.uk
These guys are local to me and have done work on my bugeye. They import cars from Japan and sell them and also strip them down and sell the parts. I’ve checked for you and they will ship worldwide. Let me know if this helps you out.
I'm always skeptical of anything with the word "conditioner" for vehicles. It just immediately makes me think it's going to make my metal and plastic bits soft, pliable, and voluminous.
I had it put in when I got the letter. No issues. Just had to replace the radiator due to the plastic cracking. I took the plastic off and at 19 years the radiator inside looked like new. Not a spec of corrosion. And no leaks. Now I will after saying that.
I havent put that stuff in any of my Subaru's and they are still going strong without the issue that I don't speak of
you engage in logical fallacy. I also know people who never changed their coolant in 150,000 miles and change their oil every 30,000 miles instead of 5-10,000 miles. the issue is increased risk of not doing recommended service -- not total failure of every engine where it is not done
Very informative video, especially the comparison vs holts.
FA20's also have the conditioner listed in the service manual, but doesn't specifically call out it's necessary. But I think we know what Subaru is thinking ;)
SOA345001, which I believe is just a pack of 12.
Subaru: Quality Driven Service
Also Subaru: Let's try to add stop leak so coolant systems can be band-aided together until they're outside of the 60k warranty period.
Subaru should've just switched to mls turbo ej gaskets and their reputation wouldnt be so tarnished, but i guess it was "better" to just get half solutions.
I remember working for Subaru at the time they were using this, ALL of the cars we used this on came back for head gaskets and over heating.
Thats just subarus
highvoltagefeathers, don’t know if your asking a question or making a statement, but yes, I worked at a Subaru dealership and it was just Subaru’s that I have used this product on.
@@NYPATRIOTBX What do you recommend given that some of the reviews on Amazon claim that use of this product gummed up their cooling system and resulted in a gunked up radiator? At issue is that even though this coolant conditioner isn't incorporated into the official maintenance schedule, it is apparently a requirement in the 2016s and even newer model years as well as the ones that were made in the early-mid 2000s. So if I'm gauging this right, basically ANY Subaru vehicle that's still on the road or has been sold in recent years is going to need this product at some point. I'm at a loss to explain why SOA wouldn't just throw it into the maintenance schedule so that there could be no doubt that the conditioner, if not regular HG inspection from ~80K forward, is required. (On the 2016 Outback this "required conditioner" is saved for a fine-print footnote!)
News View , To be honest what we found when we were replacing head gaskets is that the torque procedure was one of the main problems, the service manual required the outer head bolts to be tighter than the center bolts in the head. When we torqued all of the head bolts to the same spec we rarely ever saw a comeback. And to be honest that stuff is made primarily to coagulate any potential leaks in a head gasket and as a side effect it will gather up in a radiator like a blood clot. I would avoid using it and stick to draining and refilling the coolant at its recommended interval. If you do have to replace your head gaskets, make sure you use new bolts and torque all of the bolts evenly.
The inner head bolts are torqued tighter than the outer.
I may or may not work at a Subaru dealership, and I have yet to see a tech use this stuff. A master tech has almost two dozen unused bottles of this stuff sitting under a bench.
probably blown head-gaskets in those the did not use this in
What do you recommend? The negative reviews for this product on Amazon say that this additive will gum up the radiator. Is that true?
Would you only use Subaru coolant or are other brands ok?
This is the best explanation I’ve seen on this topic. Of course so much of it is word-of-mouth there’s no real testing that I can find. In 2010 I purchased a 2004 STI and had a local Subaru tech who just returned from Japan to study STI do a full inspection. Not only did himself but the rest of the Subaru dealership told me not to use that in the EJ257 due to clogged decks . They showed me a picture of a block that had that brownish crap all up in the coolant passages of the decks. I never used it since and have flushed and drained almost 5 times since then and I’m still on the stock head gasket and my coolant is Bright Green.
Look up the MSDS information on these products, that should further confirm what's in the bottles. Very informative, thank you!
I have a 2003 Subaru Legacy L wagon , I had a water pump go bad so I did a whole timing belt pulleys and tensioner ,water pump, thermostat replacement , it probably had a leaking head gasket at that time but I didn't know so after I fixed the water pump and stuff I refilled the coolant and started driving it within a couple days car was still losing coolant and getting warm , I could run the heat and keep temp in the normal range, so I figured I had a blown head gasket and was gonna cost 1500 to put gaskets and seals on it. But I heard about this Subaru coolant conditioner and so I figured I'd give it a try , I used 1 bottle and now it is not leaking any coolant and my temps are actually cooler than normal with no heat on at all I can run AC so this stuff is magic , yes I understand it's just a temporary fix for now but its awesome and it could really help someone that dont have the money to fix it or want to put that much money into a older car
Here in Canada when I went to pick up coolant to do a flush on my Subaru.
The dealer told me I need to use this on my 2017 STi Ej-257
Bought a 2009 Impreza hatch 2.5i last spring with 87000km. Had the dealer give it an inspection when they completed the takata airbag and brake line corrosion recall. They informed me that my driver side head gasket was starting to go. Bought some Blue Devil thinking it would prolong the necessity to do the job; big mistake, had to replace my entire cooling system minus the water pump as it clogged up the rad, thermostat and heater core. Replaced all parts in question and was stupid enough to use the Subaru coolant conditioner; it gummed up my brand new heater core. I was lucky enough that a few reverse flushes with boiling water cleared it up, but I certainly won't be using any kind of sealer again. Bottom line is if a gasket is breached, replace it!
Oh boy. Yeah, snake oil in a can usually does waaaay more harm than good.
I had a headgasket go on my EZ30D at around 174,000 miles and had it replaced and resurfaced through the Subaru dealership. I've been putting a bottle of this in the coolant ever since to be on the safe side, I guess.
How much did it cost ?
Do you remember about how much you paid for that headgasket and resurface job?
Wrx and sti's or any Turbo version of these engines use multilayered steel headgaskets and do not suffer from these issues nearly as much as the naturally aspirated engines. I have 189k on a all original wrx turbo 2.5 with no external leak what so ever from the headgaskets. I am however about to try this stuff on a different car that's leaking coolant into the combusion chambers after its warmed up and shut off. Nothing to lose so we will see.
Hey! Long time viewer, first time commenter 😊 if you had the choice would you use
The bigger bottle or the standard US bottle for a new engine build?
It would be very interesting to see a chemical analysis comparison of these two products.
I had the head gasket leak twice. I found the problem was uneven heating of the head during operation. Determined the oil galleries on the back side were too small. Drilled them out and never had to redo it again. Engine made it to 320K before I parted with it.
Is there a video on that ?
@@akidim13 There was a video that covered some of the oil flow issues with that engine. It was a 1997 Subaru wagon with an EA82 block. Biggest restriction was the head gasket holes were too small and slightly misaligned. But I also drilled out the galleries an extra .030" just to be sure while I had it apart the second time.
Did a coolant change today for the first time on my 04 LGT. Wish I watched this first. I ended up putting some in and now wish that I didn't.
That’s funny! I had a 2004 forester. I traded it at 14000 for a Jeep in 2005. I kept smelling coolant inside and outside. The dealer couldn’t find a leak.
El mejor canal de youtube!! Muchas gracias por todos tus videos tan bien explicados paso a paso 👍😁
Eres muy bienvenido. Me alegra que te guste el video.
@@MrSubaru1387 MrSubaru went international! 👏🏻👏🏻🤟🏻
Toyota has had 'stop leak' in their 'factory' radiator coolant additive for YEARS. When there's a pin-hole lead (which... their raidiator's frequently display), the 'stuff' leaks out and cristalizes (yellow-white) at the leak site... and tends to stop it. Their coolant also of course has a 'water pump lubricant' in it too. I think its a amphoteric 'buffer' solution, to keep things from going too acid. (Toyota coolant is good stuff, I use it in my Beemer). BMW stuff is good too, but not 'better' than Toyota's.
Oddly enough - this stuff is suggested in the notes for my 2025 Legacy: "to prevent cooling system leaks, always add Genuine Subaru Cooling system Conditioner whenever the coolant in replaced". Which is after 137K miles or 11 years. My plan is to use Mr. Subaru's suggestion to replace at 80K / 8 years. I'll probably forget about the conditioner by then.
This Subaru product or Bars stop leak (the powder version in a tube) both work good for external leaks. I would stay away from any of the "head gasket in a bottle" type product, they do clog stuff up. Cracked radiators, external head gasket leaks, weeping at hose connections, cracked intake manifolds, etc. All those are problems that a stop leak product can patch. There is nothing that will reliably fix a combustion chamber to coolant passage leak other than a new head gasket.
I read recently that the bars product is a replacement for the "pellets" GM Holden would add, at least for the vehicles I own (90s-2003). Never saw what the dealer product was or looked like however the only Bars stop leak I've seen in stores is a bottled liquid. I plan to use it once my new water pump, thermostat and overflow arrive.
Do you know if the powder version essentially turn into the liquid form once it's poured in or does it have different properties?
@@ConceptXX It remains like a powder in solution. It looks like glitter floating. Table pepper (like the kind you put on food) is similar and can work in a pinch. I prefer the $0.99 a tube powder stop leak over anything else personally.
Well, the service manual for VA STi still call for this stuff to be added with coolant change, as well as the FA variant
I have not used it in any of my 2nd gen wagons with the EJ25* after I replaced the original head gaskets with the multi-layer steel gaskets (5 of them so far). All but one had the oil leak but no compromised cylinder sealing areas, or coolant leaks. No problems here so far. I do buy the Subaru coolant.
Good info. I always wondered about it.
Thanks as always Mr. Subaru!
Kinda like ac delco/bar's leaks tabs that GM pushed for leaky crossover gasket etc... with Dexcool.
Great content and informative video!!! Thank you and All The Best!!!✌️😎👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I'm pretty confident the FA engines do not call for this, or at the very least don't need it. The problem was allegedly fully fixed in 2010 as I'm sure you know. It can't really hurt anything, but I wouldn't bother in an FA.
Checked manuals. The 2014 FB and EZ still say add conditioner with the Super coolant when coolant is replaced.
@@MrSubaru1387 So strange! Meant to say FA/FB. I'm not surprised the EZ still says it of course. Thanks for the info man! Great vid.
@@MrSubaru1387 quick question, I am about to change the coolant in my 2014 Subaru Outback FA engine 2.5 CVT transmission.
Should I use Subaru Super Coolant or Subaru Long Life? Also should I use the Subaru/Holt Coolant Conditioner even if the head gaskets haven’t leaked yet? Thank you for the information and videos!!!
Blue super coolant. The "conditioner" is at your discretion.
MrSubaru1387 thank you for the quick reply! Do you by any chance sale the Subaru Super Coolant though any of your store fronts? Thank you for the great content!
losing coolant, figured it was an external head gasket leaking, pretty bad. Tried a bottle of this stuff and well, so far, so good. seems to be working. I have 90,000 0n the 08 forester. Had the coolant changed at 30,000, I assume, they did not add this product and I was not aware Subaru recommended it on my engine. Due for another coolant change now, I'll add another bottle.
Hi, I just did a radiador flush on my 2009 Forester and found out about this conditioner, I saw you said it should be added first when doing a flush but since I didn’t know by then can I just buy it now and pour it in after the flush as been done?.
Great video, so here's a question. Getting ready to do the tbelt service and put in a fresh water pump, etc. Do you do a flush in between or just a drain and refill with this coolant conditioner in it? Or drain, run some distilled water and flush it out then refill. Can't find any information as to what is the recommend process.
What did you end up doing or finding out? Thanks! :)
I bought my Impreza in 05... never seen that letter or that bottle. I only run super coolant blue in my engine.
I have forester 2011 FB25 engine that requires that conditioner as per service manual instructions for replacing Subaru super coolant.
Dealership here in middle east does not offer it and I had to order online. The annoying part that dealership in Bahrain has no original Blue Subaru super coolant on shelf. Imagine if someone is trying to convince you that it is absolutely fine to use Volvo coolant because this is what the service department is using.
I didn't service my Subi ever again there and I used Honda super coolant type two which is available here and I realized after intensive research and a lot of SDS read it is very close to Subaru.
is this the slimy brown little fiber stuff that we found on bottom of overflow tank?
Radweld has been around for years in the UK. It's a sort term fix, doesn't work on any significant size leaks.
As a relatively new WRX owner, and a longtime BMW owner, I’m surprised no one seems skeptical of the very long coolant change interval (11 years) that Subaru recommends. I’ve changed the coolant in my E36 (1990s) BMW every two years and that car is approaching 400,000 miles. How often do you enthusiast Subaru owners change your coolant? Thank you!
I guess it's every time water pump/timing belt is replaced, 100k km or if it fails. Normally I think the change interval is similar to Toyota, Honda as they use the same type of coolant.
It depends on the coolant type.
11 years is way to long for a subsru in my opinion..I'd do mine every 3years or 36k..but that's because I've had gaskets fail in the past and I'm super anal with my subarus now
From what I've been told, the Subaru Cooling system conditioner is one of the best products in the WORLD for stopping external head gasket seepage.
As a previous Subaru technician I can also attest to this. Only had to use it a couple times, including on my own '99 RS, but damn does it work well.
@@jameswilson8907 Hey Should I use this on my 2001 foz with minor swelling and bit of coolant EXTERNAL leak
So I have a 1997 Subaru legacy gt. Its got the 2.5 in it. The manufacturing date is 10/96. 1996. So alot of parts I have to get for it is 1996. Some of the 1997 parts don't work. I believe it's a split year. Do I need to run this conditioner in the 1996, 1997 Subaru legacy 2.5 gt? I believe it is the first generation 2.5l
Hi Mr. Subaru do I have flush the coolant and remove the thermostat before adding the conditioner?
By chance, do you know if this conditioner is high in copper? I recently had my contaminated coolant tested by a lab. The results came back high in copper. I had forgotten that this conditioner was in the mix as well.
Thnx for video. My question can I use aftermarket longlife coolant instead of OEM Super coolant? Can not find OEM on local market. What you recommend?
I know this video was posted over a year ago but do you know why the 1999 legacy outback was not included but the 2000 is when they both have, to the best of my knowledge, the ej25d motor?
I agree think it was done so owners become liable for the vehicle repair instead of Subaru being required to do all the repairs
Truth about pushing it out of warranty. Warranty cost them money and they are in the business of selling cars . Huge black eye on the whole reliable Subaru reputation.
Thank you!!
Does this still apply if you've already changed to the MLS Head gaskets?
Just noticed the following statement on the back of a Subaru coolant jug: "Requires no additional corrosion inhibitors".
Ginger root?
hmm, I just grate a good amount of fresh ginger root into my cooling system.. 🤣
how about some garlic and scallion too?
14:00 LOOK LIKE COOKIE. SMELL LIKE COOKIE. MUST BE COOKIE! NOM NOM NOM!!!🤣🤣🤘🚗
Damn 2003 Subaru wrx I had and I like Subaru, but I'm sure you know in that year they were using the 160 hp transmission in the 222 hp motor. I broke 2 gear first time 13000 miles second one 3k later and was baying it then hurricane Charley came and dropped a tree on it. Thank you mother nature.
Yeah. The 02-04 WRX transmissions were made of glass..
Its made from ginger root? What the duck 🤯 i work on a ginger farm and my suby is covered in red dirt and ginger so my heads should be fine 😂
Does the fa engine benefit from this too or no?
I thought it was chocolate milk when I poured it in. It sure as hell looks and smells like it 😂. My car loves it tho, so I can’t complain
Mr. Subaru I really love your videos. I just bought at 2002 Subaru Impreza 2.5 TS Wagon with an automatic transmission with about 201,000 miles on it. I'm guessing I have the EJ251 engine that has the head gasket issues. Do you recommend me using this coolant conditioner when I change my coolant? Looking forward to working on my car because honestly I love it but sad about the head gasket issues. But I'd like to do anything I can to prevent a head gasket failure. Anything else you recommend? I plan on doing the timing belt, water pump, tensioners, pulleys, thermostat in the near future. Just changed the oil, oil filter and air filter. I'm about put on a new pcv valve I think. What all can I do to prevent a head gasket failure?? Thank you Mr. Subaru!
I can't even find this stuff on the website of my local Subaru dealership. Maybe they are phasing it out of current year 2022.
my subaru dealer told me they dont use this anymore. And are only selling whats left in stock.
Probably because the newer gaskets don't have the same issue with the coating etc.
You don't need to put the conditioner into an FB25 engine, right?
So how much more common were heater core replacements after they introduced this?
I've never replaced a bad heater core in a Subaru. Never seen a bad one either.
Never got this letter for my 2003 Subaru Forester, eventually, I put it in myself. Had to replace head gaskets at 109,000.
Head gaskets blew before or after you added conditioner?
@@jeffd3844 Before.
Definitely redish Brown
I have a 2018 Impreza hatch. Should/could it be used in the car?
Thanks
So for my 2017 Forester w/ the 2.5 Liter engine, I am at around 59K miles, and about to change the coolant for the first time and install the cylinder 4 cooling mod (I know I should've done this way earlier). The car has no problems for the most part; the temperature gets to the hotter side- around 210ish degrees Fahrenheit.
So for me do I need this?
Thank you.
I have an 06 Tribeca that has low compression on #3. Did a leak down test and coolant erupted from the radiator. Decided to get a JDM motor. First one tested bad head gasket leaks between all cylinders . They sent a replacement and it’s showing 3 leaking exhaust valves. I have owned 7 Subaru’s from 70’s and 80’s years. They would al be running still but we’re either stolen or ran into. I still have an 87 that runs fine with 300k on it. Bought it for $200. But I’m not feeling the “love” after this Tribeca.
Thank you for this video. I Bought my 2006 Forester new in 2006 and have had my coolant changed 4 times. I have added this little blue bottle every time. So far so good. I only have 90 thousand miles. I guess I will keep using it at future coolant changes. Any suggestions?
Keep doing what you are doing is your best bet! Coolant change frequently.
@@802Garage thank you! I will continue as prescribed
Also, put nitrogen in the tires.
@@lorrinbarth1969 Hahaha, why?
@@802Garage doesn't expand and contract like air does, keeping tire pressure the same over the wider temperature range
i think you should taste them??
So this is only anti-rust maintenance? It does not do any cleaning in cooling system? Another similar product was Holts Radiator Anti-Rust (i don't know if they sell it anymore) There was a marking "MH305" and another brand was Forte Cooling System Conditioner
This is stop leak.
My 2010 Forester’s manual says to use this and exchange the cool and every 20,000 miles.
Hey Dude
You need to do the taste test to know for sure.
I'm good. lol
Send it to the waterjet channel.
Badlands Chugs will do it.
@@MrSubaru1387 this stuff is holts stop leak rebadged as subaru.
mmmm... tasty!
The service manual for my 2018 Legacy 3.6R says to put this stuff in.
Dude that looks like "bars leak". That was on the market back in 89 when I first started the trade. It worked reasonably well for the right kind of leak but not for very long. The newer ceramic stops leak products seem to do better, but again as you said, just fix it right the first time.
Should this be used on an fb20? 15 crosstrek about to do a change
SO any thoughts if Subaru adds this to the engine cooling system when the car is made and installed in your car?
Mr Subaru,will the rear diff and hub bearings from a 1998 Forester fit a 1998 out back legacy?
Yes and no. It'll bolt in, but the gear ratio is wrong.
Is this known to help an oil leak from head gaskets or coolant which is more successful ??
The Owners Manual for the 2019 Forester makes no mention of this additive. It states that you should use Subaru Super Coolant only in the radiator.
I know they said use it up to 2014 models. Don't have access to any newer service manuals.
So should I get some I have a 2014 subaru legacy 2.5i plus I have no more warranty I have to do a flash it just turn 100,000mile
What are the 2 small hoses by the thermostat on a outback 2005 Thank you
Hello Mr. Subar8u please help me?? Am replacing all coolant hoses in my 2013 Subie Crosstrek Limited with approx 74,000 miles. Do I HAVE to put that Subaru Cooling System Conditioner in my car?? Thank you in advance. FWIW NEVER had any leaks whatsoever anywhere.
I have a 2010 legacy 2.5l changed water pump thermostat and rad still overheating purp system with funnel kit all new coolant help !!!! Will this help !!!!!
You do realize that coolant falls back into the cylinders right? Just bought a 2000 Subaru Outback with a rebuilt short block. So are your saying that once you rebuild a EJ25D it becomes a STI with out a turbo? Not saying that I have a STI but just curious. Was thinking of STI swapping my outback this motor was rebuilt at 40,000 miles... I currently have 213,404 miles on it. I'm on the final stretch of the service work. I did a lot of it my self l. So I want to know that I am doing the right thing. I also gotta change my gear oil as well. Much better car then any VW Jetta... VW TDI's are garbage machines compared to this car- WS
I have an 11 Forester and found oil in the radiator and overflow. Is this a problem with the head gasket or something else? Is it worth to try a sealer, if it is?
Never got the letter for my 2003 Forester which ended up with leaking head gaskets. 2003 engine is the same engine as the 2002.
Was basically an issue until 2010.
Cop out. Temp, fix due to blown head gasket issues. Felpro makes a great head gasket metal 3 ply. I do use it on my 2006 sti better safe than sorry. Just developed a power steering leak on a cardone replacement psp will be getting a oem pump. Thanks for the info
Never use Fel-Pro Subaru head gaskets.
@@MrSubaru1387 im going with six star mls on the 02 legacy
@@MrSubaru1387 do you mean that you never use felpro gaskets, or thst you recommend not to use them? Great video, i felt bad dumping the yucky stuff in with fresh new coolant on our 2012, glad to hear you have not seen it cause problems.
I don't know for sure but I read a while back that 6 star makes the felpro mls headgaskets. The big difference between the 6 star and factory replacement mls is that 6 star is supposed to be made of stainless steel. Also, headgaskets that failed early on were replaced by Subaru with the same OEM non-mls that they came with from the factory. That's why they continued to recommend the use of the conditioner.
The newest Fel-pro design looks decent. We're going to put them in some 300-400whp builds soon.