I need some help... - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

Jeikun · 2011-01-09, 11:49 AM

When I was leaving from my house in south reno, I noticed that my car was making some strange noises during normal driving and braking.

I had warmed up my car before I started driving all the way and then when I started going, and I pulled up to the first stop sign, I noticed that my car made a squeaking noise while braking. I thought that this was normal, as the brakes hadn't heated up yet.

When pulling up to another stop sign, I noticed that my car was making an intermittent noise but it was at even intervals that was kind of like a slipping noise and when braking, it was squealing even more.

I went home to look at the spot that I had parked in over the weekend to see if I leaked anything and I did not see anything there. I also looked looked at the road where I had been driving, and I found nothing but windshield wiper fluid.

This morning, I opened up my hood and looked at the fluid levels, I noticed that my coolant in the reserve tank was really low, almost empty, but my oil and brake fluid looked fine... Anyone have any ideas? I'm at a loss. I'm going to go drive the car for a bit to see if I can't replicate the sound.

Also, Does anyone nearby have any genuine Subaru coolant that I can buy off them?

100_Percent_Juice · 2011-01-09, 01:25 PM

What have you done to the car so far? I can't really remember but I think you had mentioned doing cams?

Jeikun · 2011-01-09, 01:32 PM

Nothing, it's bone stock aside from the wheels.

100_Percent_Juice · 2011-01-09, 01:40 PM

still under warranty?

Jeikun · 2011-01-09, 01:49 PM

Yeah. But I dont want to drive it for the time being because I dont want my brakes to fail or cause any more damage... I think I'm going to just put some water in my coolant and dilute it a little more until I can get to the dealership on wednesday.

cody · 2011-01-11, 01:47 PM

Use distilled water instead of tap water. I'm sure there are other brands of coolant that work, but I always use the OEM stuff. Remember that there's a line on the overflow resevoir for hot and cold. IMO, it's best to use the higher hot line with a warm engine if you can, but you can use the cold line with a cold engine in a pinch.

As for the sound, could it be a slipping belt? Click on your AC to see if the sound gets worse/changes. Also try turning the steering wheel when stopped to detect a belt issue.

I just picked up my car after it was parked in Oakland for nearly two weeks. Talk about scary noises. First of all, the rotors were so rusted that I had to rev up the motor and nearly launch to back up the first time. The brakes made a loud "crack" and then I broke free. Then the brakes made a really bad dragging noise until I used them a little bit. Simply dragging the brakes for a few seconds fixed it right up and it's fine now.

Jeikun · 2011-01-11, 05:10 PM

Thanks for the reply Cody! I did end up filling it with Distilled Water and I'll have them flush it or something tomorrow with the OEM stuff at Lithia.

The sound has gone away entirely and I haven't felt anything weird in the steering wheel or pedals since then so I'm hoping that it was just a one time thing.

2011-01-09, 11:49 AM	#1
Jeikun EJ22 Real Name: Jake Niedle Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Damonte Ranch Posts: 427 Car: 2006 WRX Limited Class: little to none	I need some help... When I was leaving from my house in south reno, I noticed that my car was making some strange noises during normal driving and braking. I had warmed up my car before I started driving all the way and then when I started going, and I pulled up to the first stop sign, I noticed that my car made a squeaking noise while braking. I thought that this was normal, as the brakes hadn't heated up yet. When pulling up to another stop sign, I noticed that my car was making an intermittent noise but it was at even intervals that was kind of like a slipping noise and when braking, it was squealing even more. I went home to look at the spot that I had parked in over the weekend to see if I leaked anything and I did not see anything there. I also looked looked at the road where I had been driving, and I found nothing but windshield wiper fluid. This morning, I opened up my hood and looked at the fluid levels, I noticed that my coolant in the reserve tank was really low, almost empty, but my oil and brake fluid looked fine... Anyone have any ideas? I'm at a loss. I'm going to go drive the car for a bit to see if I can't replicate the sound. Also, Does anyone nearby have any genuine Subaru coolant that I can buy off them? __________________ Cook bacon in your underwear. It adds danger to breakfast and makes you feel like you are welding. - Juice

2011-01-09, 01:25 PM	#2
100_Percent_Juice (40 percent vodka) Real Name: Joel Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 4,446 Car: 2004WRX Class: Baby-Hauler/GroceryGetter	What have you done to the car so far? I can't really remember but I think you had mentioned doing cams? __________________ "A power nap is when you sleep on someone who is weaker than you." - Dimitri Martin

2011-01-09, 01:32 PM	#3
Jeikun EJ22 Real Name: Jake Niedle Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Damonte Ranch Posts: 427 Car: 2006 WRX Limited Class: little to none	Nothing, it's bone stock aside from the wheels. __________________ Cook bacon in your underwear. It adds danger to breakfast and makes you feel like you are welding. - Juice

2011-01-09, 01:40 PM	#4
100_Percent_Juice (40 percent vodka) Real Name: Joel Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 4,446 Car: 2004WRX Class: Baby-Hauler/GroceryGetter	still under warranty? __________________ "A power nap is when you sleep on someone who is weaker than you." - Dimitri Martin

2011-01-09, 01:49 PM	#5
Jeikun EJ22 Real Name: Jake Niedle Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Damonte Ranch Posts: 427 Car: 2006 WRX Limited Class: little to none	Yeah. But I dont want to drive it for the time being because I dont want my brakes to fail or cause any more damage... I think I'm going to just put some water in my coolant and dilute it a little more until I can get to the dealership on wednesday. __________________ Cook bacon in your underwear. It adds danger to breakfast and makes you feel like you are welding. - Juice

2011-01-11, 01:47 PM	#6
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	Use distilled water instead of tap water. I'm sure there are other brands of coolant that work, but I always use the OEM stuff. Remember that there's a line on the overflow resevoir for hot and cold. IMO, it's best to use the higher hot line with a warm engine if you can, but you can use the cold line with a cold engine in a pinch. As for the sound, could it be a slipping belt? Click on your AC to see if the sound gets worse/changes. Also try turning the steering wheel when stopped to detect a belt issue. I just picked up my car after it was parked in Oakland for nearly two weeks. Talk about scary noises. First of all, the rotors were so rusted that I had to rev up the motor and nearly launch to back up the first time. The brakes made a loud "crack" and then I broke free. Then the brakes made a really bad dragging noise until I used them a little bit. Simply dragging the brakes for a few seconds fixed it right up and it's fine now. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo. Last edited by cody; 2011-01-11 at 01:53 PM.

2011-01-11, 05:10 PM	#7
Jeikun EJ22 Real Name: Jake Niedle Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Damonte Ranch Posts: 427 Car: 2006 WRX Limited Class: little to none	Thanks for the reply Cody! I did end up filling it with Distilled Water and I'll have them flush it or something tomorrow with the OEM stuff at Lithia. The sound has gone away entirely and I haven't felt anything weird in the steering wheel or pedals since then so I'm hoping that it was just a one time thing. __________________ Cook bacon in your underwear. It adds danger to breakfast and makes you feel like you are welding. - Juice