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The wife’s 2004 WRX with 56K miles had a seam leak on the top radiator tank. That’s not a lot of miles but maybe it is not the number of miles but the number of heat cycles. I decided I wasn’t going to invest in another radiator with plastic tanks and ordered a Mishimoto all aluminum (they claim heavy duty) radiator.
As soon as the radiator arrived I caught a virus and spent last week trying to cough up a lung. Finally, feeling better today I headed to the shop. First, I wasn’t going to mess with the drain so I pulled the lower hose. I’ve done this may times before but even I was surprised by the raging torrent of antifreeze I let loose. Soaked one arm of my coat. Did some unplugging and disconnecting and the radiator was out.
The original radiator is single row but is packed with fins – a much better core than the replacement I bought. The replacement is twin tubed and a little thicker. Still, I think the old radiator would out cool the new one. This Mishimoto is advertised as being an exact replacement and the fans fit perfectly. Next, off to the auto parts store because the old hose from the radiator neck didn’t fit and I had no hose that size. I also picked up hose clamps to replace the Subaru clamps which are practically worthless.
So, everything was mounted on the new radiator and in she went. Then I connected all the hoses on top. Finally, the bottom hose – it didn’t fit. I had to remove the bottom hose from the engine and cut an inch off the engine end of the hose. Now it fit. Dump in antifreeze and run till hot. Fill the jug.
Now with the system all pressurized it looked like the upper hose was mighty near the A/C fan. No, actually it was in the A/C fan. So I need to pull the upper hose again and cut it. Time for supper.
Anyway, not a big deal but not an exact replacement. However, is pretty.
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I ordered a power steering hose kit for the Subaru from the dealership – $318.00. The pressure hose connection is leaking where hose goes to hard line on top of the engine. This on a car with 55K miles. So first the radiator and now this. The car is beginning to remind me of a GM vehicle from the seventies.
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