Replacement Of Engine Coolant

WARNING: The radiator is of the pressurized type. Do not attempt to remove the radiator cap immediately after the engine has been stopped.

CAUTION: If engine coolant is spilt onto the exhaust pipe, wipe it off with cloth to avoid emission of smoke or causing a fire.

Lift up the vehicle.
Remove the under cover.
Place a container under drain pipe.
Remove the drain plug to drain engine coolant into container.

Fig 1: Locating Drain Plug
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
For quick draining, remove the radiator cap.
CAUTION:
- Be careful not to spill coolant on the floor.
- For turbo model, always open the radiator cap on the filler tank side.
Drain the coolant from reservoir tank.
Tighten the drain cock securely after draining coolant.
Pour cooling system conditioner through the filler neck.
Cooling system protective agent:

Cooling system conditioner (Part No. SOA635071)
Add the engine coolant into the coolant filler tank (turbo model) or radiator (non-turbo model) up to the filler neck position.
Engine coolant:

< Ref. to ENGINE COOLANT , RECOMMENDED MATERIALS, Recommended Materials. >

Coolant level:

< Ref. to CAPACITY , Forester. >

Engine coolant concentration:

< Ref. to ADJUSTMENT , Engine Coolant. > < Ref. to ADJUSTMENT , Engine Coolant. >

NOTE: The SUBARU Super Coolant contains anti-freeze and anti-rust agents, and is especially made for Subaru engines with an aluminum cylinder block. Always use SUBARU Super Coolant since other engine coolant may cause corrosion.
Fill engine coolant into the reservoir tank up to "FULL" level.

Fig 2: Checking Engine Coolant Level
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Close the radiator cap (on non-turbo models) or the coolant filler tank cap (on turbo models), start the engine and race 5 to 6 times at less than 3, 000 rpm, then stop the engine. (Complete this operation within 40 seconds.)
Wait for one minute after the engine stops, then open the radiator cap (on non-turbo models) or the coolant filler tank cap (on turbo models). If the engine coolant level drops, add engine coolant into the radiator filler neck (on non-turbo models) or the coolant filler tank filler neck (on turbo models) up to the filler neck position.
Perform the procedures 11) and 12) again.
Close the radiator cap (on non-turbo models) or the coolant filler tank cap (on turbo models), and the reservoir tank cap.
Start the engine and operate the heater at maximum hot position and the blower speed setting to "LO".
Run the engine at 2, 000 rpm or less until radiator fan starts and stops.
CAUTION: Be careful with the engine coolant temperature gauge to prevent overheating.

NOTE: If the radiator hose becomes hardened with the pressure of engine coolant, air bleeding operation is considered almost completed.
Stop the engine and wait until the engine coolant temperature lowers to 30°C (86°F) or less.
Open the radiator cap (on non-turbo models) or the coolant filler tank cap (on turbo models). If the engine coolant level drops, add engine coolant into the radiator filler neck (on non-turbo models) or the coolant filler tank filler neck (on turbo models) up to the filler neck position.
Then, pour the coolant into reservoir tank up to "FULL" level.
Close the radiator cap (on non-turbo models) or the coolant filler tank cap (on turbo models), and the reservoir tank cap.
Set the heater setting to maximum hot position and the blower speed setting to "LO" and start the engine. Perform racing at 3, 000 rpm or less. If the flowing sound is heard from heater core, repeat the procedures from step 15).